16:05 Ascot

Saturday 15 July 2023

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:15

Magnum Classic Ice Cream Handicap

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 2m 40.18s

(10)

Jack Darcy⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: H Crouch| T: P & O Cole| OR: 104

12/1

Smart on his day and shaped as if better for the run when last of 5 in Goodwood listed event (9.9f) 7 weeks ago. Return to handicaps rates a plus but his mark demands a little bit more.

Form: 42547-5

(11)

Lucander^b²²

Age: 6| Weight: 10-0| J: P Cosgrave| T: George Baker| OR: 102

12/1

Did well in Bahrain for this yard over the winter, winning twice at up to 11f. Typically gave his running since, far from disgraced when tenth in C&D Duke of Edinburgh 3 weeks ago (finished with running left). Ought to give his running again but yet to defy a mark this high.

Form: 415930

(7)

Al Nafir²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 98| D

15/2

Bred in the purple and he put it all together when doubling career tally in hot Newmarket handicap (12f) on final outing last season. Gelded, proved too lit up on return in C&D Duke of Edinburgh 3 weeks ago but he remains low mileage and comes here with yard in much better form.

Form: 1/2561-0

(9)

Saratoga Gold^b⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Loughnane⁽³⁾| T: C Hills| OR: 97| D

15/2

5-y-o who has built up a good strike rate and took his form up a notch when running out a comfortable winner at Kempton (12f) 9 days ago, leading 2f out and quickening clear. Up 8 lb back in stronger company but excellent apprentice takes off handy 3 lb.

Form: 114-3U1

(1)

La Yakel²⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 92| BF| CD

5/4

Highly progressive at 3, winning novice at Southwell and C&D handicap at Ascot in September. Signed off his season with a good fourth behind Al Nafir in Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket. Surely has more to offer after only 5 starts. Leading claims on reappearance.

Form: 33114-

(8)

Oneforthegutter²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: B A Curtis| T: Ian Williams| OR: 84

16/1

Useful handicapper but he's winless since his debut in 2021. Exploits proved mixed last term and yet to return to peak form in 2 starts so far this campaign following a wind op. Others make greater appeal now stepping up in trip.

Form: 0040-88

(6)

Struth⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: R Kingscote| T: C Johnston| OR: 95| D

11/4

Career-best effort when landing 7-runner handicap at Chester (12.3f, heavy) in May and improved further to hit the frame on 2 of his 3 starts since, good third from this mark at Haydock (14f) 7 days ago. Type to make his presence felt again as sole 3-y-o in the line up.

Form: 35-1203

Non-Runners

(4)

Max Mayhem²²

Weight: 9-9| Age: 5

T: K P De Foy J: Benoit D L Sayette

(5)

Kitsune Power²⁶

Weight: 9-6| Age: 4

T: R Varian J: Non Runner

(3)

Savvy Knight⁹

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: S Woods J: R Havlin

(2)

Fulfilled²¹

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: D M Simcock J: Hayley Turner

Forecasts

La Yakel (5/4), Struth (11/4), Fulfilled (6/1), Max Mayhem (7/1), Saratoga Gold (15/2), Al Nafir (15/2), Lucander (12/1), Jack Darcy (12/1), Savvy Knight (12/1), Kitsune Power (14/1), Oneforthegutter (16/1)

A highly-progressive dual winner as a 3-y-o, LA YAKEL ended last term with a solid fourth behind re-opposing Al Nafir in the Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket in October. Meeting that rival on 8 lb better terms, there's surely more to come on the back just 5 career starts and he can make a winning return. Al Nafir should step up on his effort at the Royal Meeting and is feared, with 3-y-o Struth and Saratoga Gold completing the shortlist.