16:45 Ascot

Friday 6 September 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

National Racehorse Week Handicap (Str)

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 1m 44.44s

(10)

Awaal^t⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: W Buick| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 100| D

15/8

Smart performer who was placed in the Lincoln, Royal Hunt Cup and Bunbury Cup last year. Shaped better than distance beaten on belated return at Newmarket in July and is 2 lb lower now. Major player returned to 1m.

Form: 33030-7

(2)

Hafeet Alain¹²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Saffie Osborne| T: E Walker| OR: 97| D

10/1

Productive 2023 campaign and underlined how well he handles Newmarket when landing 17-runner 1m handicap at the Craven meeting. Was seen to maximum effect on that occasion, though, and he's been off since a lesser effort back there 3 weeks later.

Form: 8218-19

(9)

Tempus^b²⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: K Shoemark| T: A Watson| OR: 95| CD

12/1

Landed a hat-trick in 2022, starting in C&D handicap before Group 3 victories, and back in form in 1m handicaps of late, hitting the frame on last 3 starts. Doesn't look totally straightforward but he's entitled to be thereabouts again.

Form: 070244

(1)

Bennetot¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91| D

11/2

Useful performer in France and has gradually worked his way back to form for this yard, coming good in 1m Windsor Racing League handicap under Billy Loughnane last month. Penalised in a much better race but ran a cracker when fifth at York, particularly as he was caught further back than ideal.

Form: 734915

(6)

Navagio⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Billy Loughnane| T: James Horton| OR: 91| D

12/1

A useful 1m/9,5f winner in Ireland and excellent third in the Lincoln on reappearance. Not discredited when fifth of 9 in handicap at Sandown (8f, soft) in May but tongue tie back on when well held switched to the AW a month later.

Form: 81-3058

(4)

Theoryofeverything¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: S M Levey| T: D O'Meara| OR: 90

7/2

First success for new yard when edging ahead late on at Hamilton (9f, good) last month. Found combination of a penalty and step up in class too much at York and he's back on his correct mark this time.

Form: 450510

(7)

Son Of Man⁷⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 95

28/1

Useful performer who stepped up markedly on his reappearance when second of 8 over 7f at Goodwood in June. Step back up to 1m looked a good move but he was drawn on the wrong side in the Britannia over C&D on final start for Jane Chapple-Hyam. Not yet exposed.

Form: 735-020

(5)

Classic²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 90| BF

17/2

Huge eye-catcher at Sandown in June and also shaped well on next 2 starts. Ridden more prominently when slightly disappointing at Newmarket but he can bounce back.

Form: 2-92965

(8)

Inspiritus²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 88

25/1

Improved again when doubling his tally for the year in impressive fashion at Lingfield in March, tanking through the race. Well held back on turf at Chester in May bit given a break and fitted with a hood again, he showed a bit more at Windsor, albeit racing too free to last out.

Form: 122108

Non-Runners

(3)

Dear My Friend¹⁵

Weight: 10-0| Age: 4

T: C Johnston J: James Doyle

Forecasts

Awaal (15/8), Theoryofeverything (7/2), Bennetot (11/2), Classic (17/2), Hafeet Alain (10/1), Navagio (12/1), Tempus (12/1), Dear My Friend (14/1), Inspiritus (25/1), Son Of Man (28/1)

There's still an air of unfinished business about low-mileage 5-y-o AWAAL who shaped with plenty of promise on his reappearance (first home in his group) and as such, a 2 lb ease in the weights looks generous. Bennetot arrives in excellent heart so is second choice, ahead of Classic.