15:25 Ascot

Friday 14 July 2023

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

Close Brothers Property Division Handicap (Rnd)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 1m 44.35s

(8)

Caragio^p1²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: A Kirby| T: R A Teal| OR: 90

12/1

Found improvement when opening account at Leicester (7f) in October but below that level in Horris Hill 11 days later. Stepped up on his reappearance when fifth of 8 at Sandown (7f) 27 days ago, despite not being ideally placed. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 214-05

(5)

Mustajaab²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 89

15/2

Well-bred colt who got back on the up when making a winning return at Southwell (7f) in May. However, was well held in better company in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last time.

Form: 5168-10

(6)

Metal Merchant²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: George Bass⁽³⁾| T: J Channon| OR: 89| D

15/2

Useful performer who shaped better than the distance beaten suggests when fourteenth of 29 in in Britannia Stakes (Handicap) at Royal Ascot (1m) last time, not ideally placed. Not taken lightly.

Form: 15-7330

(11)

Imperial Ace⁶²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: H Palmer| OR: 89| D

14/1

Looked on the up when bagging 1m novices at Newcastle and Southwell in January but he came in last of nine on his turf/handicap debut at Newmarket and was again below his all-weather form at Haydock last time. Has been gelded subsequently.

Form: 3-1195

(2)

Skysail^p1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D C Costello| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 88| D

9/1

Showed much improved form in first-time blinkers when making a successful handicap debut at Goodwood (1m) on his reappearance. Proved a let-down at Salisbury since, though. Cheekpieces now go on.

Form: 210-15

(12)

Theme Park¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Rowan Scott| T: N Tinkler| OR: 87

4/1

Bought for 200,000 gns after winning a 7f Kempton novice for Sir Michael Stoute last September and went down only to another upwardly-mobile type on third start for current yard at York in May. Not seen to best effect upped in trip at Chester (10.3f) 2 weeks ago and now drops back in distance.

Form: 21-5623

(4)

Tyndrum Gold³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 87| D

8/1

Won both his 2-y-o starts at Kempton. Failed to meet expectations under a double penalty on his turf debut at Thirsk last month but that form is working out better than expected, so he can't be dismissed on his handicap debut.

Form: 11-5

(10)

Oj Lifestyle⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore| OR: 86

33/1

Caused a big upset in a maiden at Newbury on second start last summer. Matched that form when second at Chelmsford in November but ran poorly on softer ground than previously on handicap debut/reappearance here in May.

Form: 9152-4

(13)

Oliver Show^t¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Kingscote| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 83| D

6/1

Left previous efforts behind in a first-time tongue strap when winning 10-runner handicap at Kempton (8f) 16 days ago, suited by increase in trip. Has shown signs of temperament but he's a useful-looking colt who may do better again.

Form: 7-441

(7)

Monopolise⁸^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Loughnane⁽³⁾| T: E Walker| OR: 75| D

11/2

Ended 2022 on the up winning nurseries at Newmarket and Kempton and has returned in good heart, opening his account for the season in 7-runner handicap at Yarmouth (1m) last week. This is a stronger race but he's likely to go well again under a penalty.

Form: 1-35261

(3)

Good Gracious^b1³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Cieren Fallon| T: W J Haggas| OR: 79

14/1

Showed plenty of ability in maiden/novice company on turf prior to winning nursery/AW debut at Newcastle (7f) in October. Well held tried in a tongue strap on return at Newmarket but fared much better with it discarded when fourth of 7 at Haydock (8.2f) last month. Blinkers on for 1st time.

Form: 4231-04

Non-Runners

(9)

Just Bring It³⁴

Weight: 9-4| Age: 3

T: C G Cox J: J P Fahy

(1)

Sniper's Eye²⁰

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: D M Simcock J: P Cosgrave

Forecasts

Theme Park (4/1), Sniper's Eye (5/1), Monopolise (11/2), Oliver Show (6/1), Metal Merchant (15/2), Mustajaab (15/2), Tyndrum Gold (8/1), Skysail (9/1), Caragio (12/1), Just Bring It (12/1), Good Gracious (14/1), Imperial Ace (14/1), Oj Lifestyle (33/1)

SNIPER'S EYE shaped well behind a highly promising one at Newmarket last time and looks to have got into handicaps on a good mark, so he easily makes the most appeal. Oliver Show has shown signs of temperament but seemed well suited by the step up to this trip when scoring at Kempton 16 days ago and may do better still, with Metal Merchant completing the shortlist after shaping better than the distance beaten suggests in the Britannia at Royal Ascot.