15:40 Royal Ascot

Friday 23 June 2023

All14:3015:0515:4016:2017:0017:3518:10

Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (Handicap)

Off time: 15:40 | Winning time: 2m 30.49s

(8)

Aikhal^t1²⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 105

66/1

Smart at his best for Aidan O'Brien but not seen since a below-par run at Leopardstown 8 months ago and this looks a tricky assignment on first outing/handicap debut for a new yard. First-time tongue tie.

Form: 016568-

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(6)

Teumessias Fox⁴⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 104| D

9/2

Has really excelled since a gelding operation in the off-season, making a winning return at Kempton before an even more impressive display to land an 11-runner event at Newmarket last time. More to come and could be the one to beat.

Form: 6207-11

(2)

Lucander^b²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: George Baker| OR: 103

50/1

Did well in Bahrain for this yard over the winter. Has held form well back in Britain and was doing some good late work when third at Epsom last time, so could get involved if everything drops right.

Form: 541593

(18)

Live Your Dream^p¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: D Tudhope| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 102

11/1

Progressed into a smart performer in 2021, winning 3 of his 6 starts. Returned from a lengthy absence when a staying-on second at Haydock recently and should feature if he can build on that with cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 11420/2

(9)

Okita Soushi^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 102| D

9/1

Smart sort who didn't need to be at best to score twice at Dundalk in February and performed respectably when fifth in Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown last time. One to consider with Ryan Moore booked.

Form: 200-115

(17)

Global Heat^v¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: K Shoemark| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 102| D

40/1

Successful at Meydan in January but has an awkward head carriage and has looked in the handicapper's grip on last couple of outings. Others make more appeal.

Form: 136555

(4)

White Wolf¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: K Stott| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 101

25/1

Smart sort who resumed progress returned to AW when second at Chelmsford recently. Just as effective on turf and another solid showing is on the cards.

Form: 1-20902

(13)

Nagano⁶⁶⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 100| BF| D

13/2

Highly progressive 3-y-o who signed off in 2021 with an excellent second in March Stakes at Goodwood. Not seen for 22 months but on a fair mark if he retains all of his ability.

Form: 311612/

(7)

Tyson Fury¹⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Spencer| OR: 100| CD

40/1

Useful C&D winner but lightly raced and little form since autumn 2021, so hard to make a case for.

Form: 3254/6-6

(10)

Al Nafir²⁵⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 100| D

11/2

Brother to the top-class Ghaiyyath and confirmed previous encouragement last year when doubling his tally in a hot 16-runner Newmarket 3-y-o handicap when last seen. Likely to be ready to go (has been gelded) and makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 21/2561-

(15)

Maksud⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: H Morrison| OR: 99

15/2

Created good impression when winning on debut at Windsor last term and held form subsequently. Looked rusty at Chester on reappearance but should come on for that and faces a scenario that will suit him all the more.

Form: 45220-7

(19)

Moracana²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery| OR: 97| D

25/1

Useful mare who was better than ever when scoring at Cork in April and far from disgraced when fourth in a listed event at the Curragh subsequently. Needs to improve from this mark, however.

Form: 6190-14

(5)

Max Mayhem²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: K P De Foy| OR: 97

50/1

Useful handicapper for Joseph O'Brien who is lightly raced for his age and plenty to like about his return/yard debut success in Rosebery at Kempton (11f) in April. Disappointed at Epsom since but much too soon to write him off.

Form: 9873-18

(3)

Haunted Dream⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 96| D

25/1

Reliable sort who progressed steadily in handicaps last year, adding to his tally at Southwell (11.1f) in September. Returned back in from at Chelmsford a couple of months ago and well-run races suit him, so worthy of respect.

Form: 32213-1

(11)

HMS President⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Rossa Ryan| T: A King| OR: 96| D

15/2

Has had lots of racing in relation to plenty of his rivals here but has looked as good as ever since joining his current yard. Showed a good attitude to score at Newmarket last time and has a fairly decent record at Ascot so could get competitive again if things drop right.

Form: 2220-21

(1)

Aimeric²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: James Doyle| T: R Varian| OR: 96| D

10/1

Still lightly raced and boosted a good strike rate when making a successful return with something to spare at Doncaster over this trip 3 weeks ago. More to come so should be on the premises.

Form: 41810-1

(16)

Ajero^t³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 96

20/1

Won a 9f Glorious Goodwood handicap last summer. Ended his campaign with a creditable third of 8 there (1½m) in October but hasn't fired on either start this term. Others are more persuasive.

Form: 2103-90

(14)

Stay Well^h¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: H Morrison| OR: 96| BF| D

40/1

Returned to form back on all-weather when third of 14 in 12f handicap at Kempton 16 days ago, albeit better placed than most. This is a much more competitive event and he looks vulnerable.

Form: 2955-83

Non-Runners

(20)

Jack Darcy²⁷

Weight: 9-11| Age: 4

T: P & O Cole J: Mohammed Tabti

Forecasts

Teumessias Fox (9/2), Al Nafir (11/2), Nagano (13/2), HMS President (15/2), Maksud (15/2), Okita Soushi (9/1), Aimeric (10/1), Live Your Dream (11/1), Ajero (20/1), Jack Darcy (20/1), Moracana (25/1), White Wolf (25/1), Haunted Dream (25/1), Tyson Fury (40/1), Stay Well (40/1), Global Heat (40/1), Max Mayhem (50/1), Lucander (50/1), Aikhal (66/1)

TEUMESSIAS FOX has been much improved this season and, having had something to spare when scoring at Newmarket last time, he makes plenty of appeal with further progress on the cards. Al Nafir is an obvious player if tuned up for his return and Okita Soushi looks a notable Irish challenger.