16:30 Ascot

Saturday 12 August 2023

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:30

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Sprint (Handicap)

Off time: 16:34 | Winning time: 1m 14.70s

(12)

He's A Monster²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 10-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: A Watson| OR: 100

10/1

Largely progressive type who enhanced good strike rate in 7-runner handicap at Sandown (7f) back in June. Had fair bit to find when midfield in Chester listed event thereafter but this another tough enough ask from career-high mark.

Form: 0-11616

(8)

Quinault^h,t³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-13| J: L Morris| T: S C Williams| OR: 97| D

9/2

One of the success stories of the season so far, completing a remarkable six-timer (unbeaten in handicaps) when making all at Newmarket (6f) 3 weeks ago. Had the services of good-value 5 lb claimers for the majority of those victories but unlikely he's finished improving yet.

Form: 111111

(4)

Washington Heights³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Hollie Doyle| T: K A Ryan| OR: 94

4/1

Strong-travelling sort who again shaped well when finishing behind re-opposing Quinault at Newmarket (6f) 30 days ago. Meets that rival on 7 lb better terms and stiff test at 5f ought to suit his strong-running style.

Form: 3-92224

(7)

Batal Dubai⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: J Moreira| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 92| D

7/1

Two wins from 4 starts as a juvenile and, having not been seen to best effect on return, he duly stepped forward to score under a confident ride at Newcastle (6f) 6 weeks ago. Needs to brush up his starts but likely there's more still in his locker.

Form: 1317-71

(2)

Zaman Jemil³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Matthew Chadwick| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 92| D

12/1

Nursery winner on the AW last year and stepped up markedly on his comeback outing when a decisive winner at Thirsk 38 days ago, seeing off a steadily improving sort. More on his plate in this deeper affair but possible there's more to come.

Form: 2137-31

(9)

Alpha Capture^b¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Kazuo Yokoyama| T: W J Haggas| OR: 90| D

18/1

Compact gelding who scored twice as a juvenile, latterly at listed level in October. Largely underperformed in handful of starts so far this year, merely passing beaten rivals when seventh of 10 in handicap at Newmarket (6f) 2 weeks ago. Blinkers go back on now.

Form: 13-2707

(6)

Radio Goo Goo¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen| T: P D Evans| OR: 90| D

16/1

Has thrived this campaign, bagging fifth career success at York (6f) before big effort when fourth over C&D at the Royal Meeting. Run with credit in stronger company subsequently and likely to give another good account returned to handicaps.

Form: 111475

(3)

Russet Gold²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: O Peslier| T: R Varian| OR: 90

11/1

Left reappearance effort in his wake when landing 7-runner Redcar handicap (5f) in June. Similar form under waiting ride when close-up fifth of 6 at Pontefract (5f) 3 weeks ago but suspicion he'll need to pull out more to come out on top here back against the 3-y-os.

Form: 813-015

(1)

Bonny Angel^t¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: C G Cox| OR: 89| D

10/1

Dual winner as a 2-yo who ran about as well as could be expected when sixth of 16 in listed race at Bath (5f) on return in April. Not scaled same heights either start since but drying ground could well aid her cause here.

Form: 168-658

(10)

Dark Trooper⁶^{(ex 3)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E Walker| OR: 86| D

7/2

Thriving son of Dark Angel who defied market weakness when landing 7-runner Haydock handicap (6f, heavy) 6 days ago, winning readily. No surprise to see him out under a penalty and well in the mix again.

Form: 138311

Non-Runners

(11)

Celtic Champion¹⁸²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: A M Balding J: Reserve 1

(5)

Dream For Gold¹⁴

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: K A Ryan J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Dark Trooper (7/2), Washington Heights (4/1), Quinault (9/2), Batal Dubai (7/1), Bonny Angel (10/1), He's A Monster (10/1), Russet Gold (11/1), Zaman Jemil (12/1), Dream For Gold (14/1), Radio Goo Goo (16/1), Alpha Capture (18/1), Celtic Champion (20/1)

DARK TROOPER has quickly made up into a useful sprinter, producing a career-best display when going in again at Haydock on Sunday and he could well represent a spot of value turned out quickly under a penalty. Quinault, a real success story, has to be respected in search of a remarkable 7-timer with his old adversary Washington Heights another to consider. Batal Dubai completes the shortlist.