Ascona Firehouse Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 20:21 | Winning time: 2m 50.32s

(2)

Duke Of Vienna^t⁶³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Hutchinson| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 67

14/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 12/1 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, fourth of 7 in handicap at Limerick (11.5f, good to firm) 63 days ago. Claims if able to build on that effort for new connections here.

Form: 3-604

(4)

Natacata¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Harry Davies| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 65

8/11

Excellent second of 7 in handicap at Lingfield (11.6f, heavy, 13/2) 11 days ago, having run of race. 3 lb nudge fair enough and she's the one to beat.

Form: 0676-52

(3)

Nusra^p⁷⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: Ben Sanderson| T: G Ahern| OR: 53

5/1

Maiden. Bit below form eighth of 17 in handicap at Tipperary (12.5f, good, 16/1) 78 days ago. Big player judged on close call at Limerick in April.

Form: 947-208

(1)

Buxlow Boy^p1,h¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Connor Planas⁽³⁾| T: D Menuisier| OR: 60

3/1

Unreliable sort. Fourth of 5 in handicap (13/2) at this course (10f, heavy) 16 days ago. Hopes here pinned on the first-time cheekpieces sparking improvement.

Form: 7-544

Forecasts

Natacata (8/11), Buxlow Boy (3/1), Nusra (5/1), Duke Of Vienna (14/1)

Though winless following 23 attempts in this sphere, NUSRA would have every chance of belatedly opening her account if able to reproduce the form of her effort at Limerick in April where she went close in a 15-runner handicap off this mark. The Irish raider is an appealing alternative to likely favourite Natacata, who showed improvement when going down narrowly at Lingfield last time. Duke of Vienna won't be far away if able to build on his latest effort on this debut for new connections.