14:00 Ascot

Friday 11 July 2025

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:55

Tide Apprentice Handicap (Str)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 1m 38.56s

(6)

Signcastle City³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Joe Leavy| T: R Hannon| OR: 86| D

17/2

Was knocking on the door prior to a below-par display last time at Yarmouth where she didn't help herself by hanging at the business of the race. Claims if able to get back on track here.

Form: 8-23226

(5)

Dragon Icon^h⁸⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Kaiya Fraser| T: R Varian| OR: 86| BF| D

6/1

Missed the majority of last season but, having been gelded, he resumed from a break with a string of creditable efforts on the AW during the winter. However, latest effort at Lingfield wasn't one of his better ones and the hood is now refitted (well held sole previous run in this headgear).

Form: 982-350

(1)

Urban Sprawl^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Archie Young⁽³⁾| T: C Johnston| OR: 85| C| D

12/1

Back on the scoresheet in decisive fashion at Lingfield in May, but largely below par since and remains 4 lb above the mark he won off at Lingfield.

Form: 410459

(7)

Mythical Guest²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Harry Burns| T: G G Margarson| OR: 84

9/2

Dual winner last spring and put in good shifts on first 3 starts of this season, including when chasing home big improver My Cloud (successful twice again since) over this C&D at the end of April. Failed to settle when well beaten at Newmarket last time, though, and he evidently has his quirks.

Form: 40-3228

(2)

Lady Of Arabia^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Jack Nicholls⁽⁵⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 82| D

16/1

Good strike rate on the AW (5-12) and, though not so prolific on turf, she produced a solid effort back from 7 months when third in an 8-runner Haydock handicap (8.2f, good). Each-way claims here off an untouched mark.

Form: 41150-3

(9)

Chalk Mountain^t⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Fred Daly⁽⁷⁾| T: W S Kittow| OR: 82

8/1

Yet to get his head in front away from the AW, but he was just touched off on his penultimate start at Newbury (7f, good to firm), a race he was arguably unlucky not to win owing to traffic problems. Another creditable effort in defeat at Kempton (1m) since and he's in with a shout.

Form: 78-3323

(8)

Unassuming^t²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Jack Callan⁽⁵⁾| T: G Boughey| OR: 80| D

6/1

Back-to-back Southwell winner in September and opened turf account at the fourth attempt when narrowly prevailing at Yarmouth (1m) last month. No show in the Kensington Palace at the Royal meeting here next time, but this is a more palatable assignment.

Form: 52-6310

(10)

Great Blasket^b²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Elizabeth Gale⁽⁵⁾| T: Dr R Newland & J Insole| OR: 76| D

15/2

Returned to form with Elizabeth Gale aboard for the first time when scoring at Chepstow (1m, good to firm) last month, winning by ½-length but value for extra given the traffic problems he encountered. Remains on a good mark up 3 lb and leading claims with the same apprentice in the hot-seat here.

Form: 86-0701

(3)

Be Frank¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Ryan Kavanagh⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 76

11/2

Ended 2024 on a bit of a downer, but started this season on a high with a victory at Newmarket in May. Followed that with a solid effort on the AW and while he was nearer last than first returned to Newmarket recently, he probably shouldn't be judged too harshly on that. Not discounted.

Form: 877-130

(4)

Jimmy Speaking¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Alex Jary| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 75| C

9/1

Hasn't got his head in front since scoring over 6f here last spring but, on the upside, he's currently 3 lb below that winning mark and has made the frame on 4 of his 6 starts since returning to action in April. Couldn't rule out.

Form: 353934

Forecasts

Mythical Guest (9/2), Be Frank (11/2), Unassuming (6/1), Dragon Icon (6/1), Great Blasket (15/2), Chalk Mountain (8/1), Signcastle City (17/2), Jimmy Speaking (9/1), Urban Sprawl (12/1), Lady Of Arabia (16/1)

Having returned to form with a win at Chepstow last month, the scene is set for GREAT BLASKET to deliver the goods once again. The 5-y-o remains well treated judged on peak 2024 form and he gets the nod ahead of Jimmy Speaking, who is also lurking on an attractive mark. Chalk Mountain is holding his form well and is another to consider, along with Signcastle City.