17:15 Ascot

Saturday 26 July 2025

All13:1013:4014:2015:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Whispering Angel Handicap

Off time: 17:18 | Winning time: 58.82s

(6)

Aramram²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 98| BF

9/4

Reliable sort was better than ever when winning over 6f at Newbury in May. Backed that up when sixth of 28 in Wokingham at Royal Ascot (6f) prior to enhancing his excellent all-weather record when a close fourth at Newcastle 28 days ago. First try over 5f but isn't short of speed. Should go well.

Form: 222164

(11)

Tropical Storm³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 101| D

7/1

Posted a useful effort when landing listed event at York in August. Duly left behind reappearance effort when doubling his tally back on the Knavesmire in May but faced a stiff task in the Group 1 King Charles III at Royal Ascot last month. Could have more to offer on first run in a handicap.

Form: 814-610

(14)

Cover Up^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 97| D

7/2

Made winning debut for current connections in 5f Listed event in Meydan and ran creditably in a strong Musselburgh handicap on return to the U.K. Poorly placed in the Wokingham last time but drawn near the likely pace here and could go well back over 5f if the ground isn't too lively.

Form: 304560

(2)

Roman Dragon^v1¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Liam Wright⁽⁵⁾| T: H Palmer| OR: 96| D

40/1

Better than ever when scoring over this trip at Chester in May. Poor effort in the Wokingham at the Royal meeting but can have a line put through his latest run in first-time blinkers when caught wide in the unfavoured group over this C&D 2 weeks ago. Claims if back on song in a change of headgear.

Form: 519100

(8)

Vintage Clarets²⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Warren Fentiman⁽⁵⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 95| D

14/1

Twice a winner over this trip in testing conditions last season but yet to get his ground this season. Nevertheless ran right up to his best on the all-weather (had won the race in 2023) when a narrow runner-up at Newcastle (5f) last month. Doesn't have optimum conditions but arrives in fine heart.

Form: 073652

(4)

Azure Angel^t²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: E Bethell| OR: 93| D

14/1

All 4 wins on AW for Roger Varian but proved herself every bit as good on turf when winning in quick conditions at Redcar (5f) prior to running creditably in a much better race when third in a 7-runner handicap at York (5f), travelled well. Form has taken a knock but arrives in the form of her life.

Form: 40-5213

(10)

Toca Madera¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Billy Loughnane| T: B J Meehan| OR: 93

11/1

Promising third in a similar event at York earlier in the season but wasn't able to replicate that form over C&D 2 weeks ago when finishing well held having raced in the unfavoured centre group. Handicapper has given him a chance.

Form: 263430

(3)

Emperor Spirit^t,p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Marco Ghiani| T: Michael Keady| OR: 91| D

14/1

Has a good record fresh and resumed winning ways on first outing since leaving Robert Cowell (sold 14,000 gns) after 10 months off when landing a 10-runner handicap at Newmarket (5f, good to firm) 15 days ago, third since franked form. As good as ever that day but more on his plate up in grade.

Form: 42898-1

(1)

Woolhampton¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Oliver Searle⁽⁵⁾| T: B R Millman| OR: 89| CD

18/1

3-time C&D winner arrives on an appealing mark having not been seen to best effect on two most recent starts, unlucky not to finish placed in a 5f handicap at Newcastle prior to ending up furthest away from the main action when down the field over C&D 2 weeks ago. Well treated if things fall right.

Form: 985500

(7)

Glamorous Breeze^p¹⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Gina Mangan| T: C Mason| OR: 88| D

12/1

Made it 2-3 this year with a career best victory in a 7-runner handicap at Haydock (5f) prior to running at least as well in defeat when fifth in a better race over C&D 2 weeks ago, going with plenty of enthusiasm and beaten less than a length. Strong travelling mare should be in the mix again.

Form: 13-1315

(5)

Mesaafi^b¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Burdon| OR: 88

14/1

Bagged a third 6f win of the year at Lingfield in June and having not been seen to best effect at Newbury next time, bounced right back to form to finish third over C&D 2 weeks ago, proving he has the speed for this trip. Enjoyed good track position that day but entitled to run well again.

Form: 821193

(12)

King Of Stars^p²¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 87| D

50/1

Useful handicapper at best but not the force of old towards the end of last year (following a long absence), step backwards when trailing the field in a Wolverhampton handicap in December. Remains to be seen whether he can show some spark following a further 7 months off.

Form: 59/3757-

(9)

Michaela's Boy²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: S M Levey| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 86| D

33/1

Dual winner on the all-weather last season and back down to his last winning mark, ran well down in grade when runner-up in a 4-runner Chepstow handicap 24 days ago. Should remain competitive off the same mark, for all this is a much tougher contest.

Form: 834302

(13)

Rhythm N Hooves^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: S De Sousa| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 85| CD

16/1

C&D winner typically gave his running on the synthetic surface when a creditable sixth in a 14-runner handicap at Newcastle last month but was below form with cheekpieces left off over C&D 2 weeks ago. Handicapper has dropped him 2 lb and looks interesting with headgear now refitted.

Form: 243067

Forecasts

Aramram (9/4), Cover Up (7/2), Tropical Storm (7/1), Toca Madera (11/1), Glamorous Breeze (12/1), Vintage Clarets (14/1), Azure Angel (14/1), Mesaafi (14/1), Emperor Spirit (14/1), Rhythm N Hooves (16/1), Woolhampton (18/1), Michaela's Boy (33/1), Roman Dragon (40/1), King Of Stars (50/1)

With most of the pace drawn high, this could be run to suit COVER UP who hasn't been seen over this trip since finishing fifth in a strong handicap at Musselburgh in April. He's off a 4 lb lower mark here having not been seen to best effect over 6f subsequently and may be able to capitalise if the ground isn't too quick. Aramram shouldn't lack for speed on his first try over 5f and may prove next best ahead of Toca Madera and Rhythm N Hooves who've both been given a chance by the handicapper.