15:22 Ascot

Friday 6 October 2023

All14:1214:4715:2215:5716:3017:05

Racing Welfare Classified Stakes (Str)

Off time: 15:23 | Winning time: 1m 41.87s

(2)

Dawn Of Liberation⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 90| D

12/1

Useful form when winning twice in novice company at up to 1m in 2022. Mixed bag in handicaps this year and others arrive with more pressing claims.

Form: 7-04000

(4)

Raising Sand^p¹⁵⁶

Age: 11| Weight: 9-7| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 87| CD

18/1

Enjoyed a productive period last autumn, supplementing his Newcastle win in this corresponding race. Only one effort of note in a light 2023 campaign, though.

Form: 98-6409

(10)

Sweet Reward⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 89

14/1

Just about better than ever when landing 7-runner handicap in the mud at Goodwood in August (9.9f). Not in quite the same form since and could be vulnerable to speedier rivals over this trip.

Form: 517165

(7)

Daysofourlives^p²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: M Botti| OR: 89| CD

9/2

Has a pretty high head carriage but produced a taking finishing effort to open his account at third attempt at Kempton last November. Left reappearance run behind minus a hood when doubling tally over C&D a month ago and he's unexposed.

Form: 431-61

(8)

Florida²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 89| D

11/4

Tongue strap on for first time when excellent third of 12 in handicap at Kempton in August and cranked it up another notch for latest win at York last month. Showed a willing attitude in the process and there could be more to come, though headgear is left off.

Form: 951-631

(6)

Jeff Koons²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 88| BF| D

3/1

Much improved from debut when landing 11-runner Newmarket novice (1m) in July and, away from testing ground, he recorded a personal best when a neck second over 10f a month ago. Drop back in trip could be a good move and he's a major player.

Form: 21442

(3)

Metal Merchant¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rossa Ryan| T: J Channon| OR: 88| BF| D

5/1

Useful performer who had been shaping better than his form figures suggested and down in grade, he found only one too good on heavy ground at Newbury a fortnight ago.

Form: 303562

(9)

Stormbuster^v1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 84| D

11/1

Novice winner over this trip at Newbury a week ago but hard to get excited by what he's achieved in 2023.

Form: 8-56088

Non-Runners

(1)

Hickory²⁷

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: J R Fanshawe J: W Buick

(5)

Orbaan¹³

Weight: 9-7| Age: 8

T: D O'Meara J: Non Runner

(11)

Sterling Knight¹⁵

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: E A L Dunlop J: N Callan

Forecasts

Florida (11/4), Jeff Koons (3/1), Hickory (3/1), Daysofourlives (9/2), Metal Merchant (5/1), Orbaan (10/1), Stormbuster (11/1), Dawn Of Liberation (12/1), Sweet Reward (14/1), Sterling Knight (16/1), Raising Sand (18/1)

A tightly-knit affair due to the conditions of the race but unexposed 3-y-os JEFF KOONS and Florida represent excellent yards and they could easily have more to offer. Marginal preference is for the former dropped in trip, with rock-solid handicapper Hickory completing the shortlist.