14:15 Ascot

Friday 14 July 2023

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:10

Property Race Day Apprentice Handicap (Str)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 1m 42.79s

(1)

Million Thanks^p1¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: K P De Foy| OR: 83| D

7/1

Yet to win in 2023 having moved yards but posted just about a career best minus tongue tie when second of 6 at Yarmouth last month. Stretched by 1¼m at Pontefract since and treated as if still in form. Respected in refitted cheekpieces.

Form: 220527

(3)

Sly Madam^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: George Bass| T: Miss S West| OR: 83| D

20/1

Much sharper for return when resuming winning ways at Windsor in April. Down the field in the Kensington Palace here last month but quickly back to form when second at Windsor since.

Form: 625802

(9)

Mars Magic¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Harry Davies| T: J Ferguson| OR: 82| BF

9/1

Won 7f Wolverhampton novice on debut for the Charlton stable last September and better form when second in a similar event there on return for new yard 10 months later. Stands out as an unexposed sort in this field on his handicap/turf debut.

Form: 1-2

(4)

Painters Palette^t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Connor Planas⁽³⁾| T: R Menzies| OR: 81

9/2

Excellent start for new yard when landing pair of Wolverhampton handicaps in the spring. Placed efforts at Ayr and Carlisle (both 1m) on her last 2 starts show she's still on a very competitive mark. Considered.

Form: 3-11623

(6)

Canoodled⁵⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Billy Loughnane| T: E Walker| OR: 79| D

9/2

Hold-up performer who won at Newmarket on final 2022 start. All the sharper for her reappearance when a creditable third of 9 back there 8 weeks ago. Likely to play a part under Billy Loughnane.

Form: 4541-63

(10)

Crystal Casque²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Oliver Searle⁽⁷⁾| T: B R Millman| OR: 79| D

14/1

Back to winning ways in 1m Newmarket handicap under Oliver Searle 3 weeks ago. 3 lb rise forces her back into a higher grade but she ought to remain competitive.

Form: 124951

(12)

Global Esteem⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Kaiya Fraser⁽⁵⁾| T: J Gallagher| OR: 78| CD

7/1

Won at Leicester and Sandown in 2022 but hasn't got that close to adding to his tally this term, fading into sixth at Epsom last week.

Form: 0-55736

(7)

Island Bandit^b²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Gina Mangan| T: H Main| OR: 78| D

9/1

Better than ever when resuming winning ways in 1m Goodwood handicap (good to firm) 4 weeks ago. That defeat of younger rivals looks solid and he can play a prominent role again.

Form: 1028-01

(2)

Cabinet Of Clowns¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Georgia Dobie| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 77| D

8/1

Back to best when landing a first handicap success in 1m event at Newmarket (good) a fortnight ago. Raised 5 lb but he was runner-up off a similar mark last summer.

Form: 34-9351

(5)

Enough Already^p⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Paddy Bradley| T: L Carter| OR: 77| D

22/1

Returned to form when accounting for 6 rivals over 1m on the AW at Lingfield in May but not in quite the same form back on turf twice since. Others are more compelling.

Form: 859157

(8)

Botas¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Luke Catton⁽³⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 76| D

20/1

Fair winner in France. Solid start for new yard when third of 10 over 1m at Kempton 16 days ago. Just as effective on turf and claims if he can build on that.

Form: 941303

(11)

One Step Beyond²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Anna Gibson⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 73| D

12/1

Notched 2 more AW wins this year, latterly at Kempton (1m) on first outing for new trainer Gary Moore. Shaped as if still in good form when 6 lengths third of 12 at Chelmsford since. All 7 wins on AW so the question is whether he'll prove as effective back on turf.

Form: 7-22113

Forecasts

Canoodled (9/2), Painters Palette (9/2), Global Esteem (7/1), Million Thanks (7/1), Cabinet Of Clowns (8/1), Island Bandit (9/1), Mars Magic (9/1), One Step Beyond (12/1), Crystal Casque (14/1), Botas (20/1), Sly Madam (20/1), Enough Already (22/1)

In an open affair the suggestion is top weight MILLION THANKS who will appreciate the return to 1m after fading late on over 1¼m last time. Mars Magic lacks experience for a race like this but makes obvious appeal as a lightly-raced sort against exposed opponents so he's second choice. Painters Palette and the Billy Loughnane-ridden Canoodled are also on the shortlist.