14:55 Ascot

Saturday 9 May 2026

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:40

Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Italy Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 14:55 | Winning time: 2m 28.89s

(9)

Siempre Arturo^p¹⁶²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Watson| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 94| D

100/1

Fitted with cheekpieces, took his form up a notch with back-to-back handicap wins at Windsor and Kempton last season. However, he ended the campaign on a low-key note, last of 7 at Southwell in November.

Form: 611637-

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(12)

Kirchner^p1³⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Egan| T: James Owen| OR: 92

50/1

Fairly useful form for Jean-Claude Rouget, successful at Chantilly on debut and making the frame all 4 subsequent outings. In blinkers, fourth of 8 in listed race at Toulouse on final start last year. Off 11 months (gelded) ahead of stable/handicap debut with cheekpieces now fitted.

Form: 13/434-

(5)

Al Wasl Storm²⁶⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 92| D

14/1

Improved with each run in maidens, making all at Chester a year ago. Found assignments in Derby at Epsom and Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot too much of an ask, but got back on the up when making a winning handicap debut at Newbury when last seen in August.

Form: 721001-

(2)

Opportunity³²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 91| D

4/1

Looked good prospect when winning novice at Haydock (strong form) on last season's return. Fourth of 8 in listed race at Goodwood next time, despite meeting trouble, before running no sort of race in Group 2 over C&D at the Royal Meeting. Worth another chance on reappearance having been gelded.

Form: 4/149-

(13)

Boatswain²³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Davies| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 90

9/1

Lingfield novice winner on debut and only narrowly denied in similar events on turf next 2 starts. Far from disgraced in strongly-contested handicaps the remainder of the season, in first-time cheekpieces when eighth of 14 at Newbury (13f) in September. Eased in grade on return.

Form: 227488-

(10)

Too Soon⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: G & J Moore| OR: 90

50/1

Useful performer who went without a win last year in the face of stiff tasks. With blinkers left off, given a considerate return back in handicap company when down the field at Doncaster 6 weeks ago, so this run should reveal more.

Form: 55338-0

(1)

Gordon Grey³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: N Callan| T: George Baker| OR: 89| D

33/1

Completed 4-timer (successful over hurdles on first occasion) with 5-length victory at Epsom in August, his final start for B. F. Brookhouse. Has had 2 races in Bahrain for current yard this year, well held in listed race before bouncing back when third in handicap 5 weeks ago.

Form: 7111-93

(14)

In The Breeze²⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: K Shoemark| T: Miss H C Knight| OR: 88| D

33/1

After 5 months off, proved at least as good as ever on first start since leaving Michael Appleby when winning 5-runner handicap at Thirsk in April, scoring emphatically. Task is now to build on latest effort in this more competitive contest.

Form: 01447-1

(7)

Whatsgoingonmarvin^p1⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Marco Ghiani| T: M Bowen| OR: 87

66/1

3-time winner in handicaps for Sir Mark Prescott last season, showing useful form when scoring at Sandown in September. Campaigned over hurdles for current yard, runner-up on second outing but well beaten the last twice. Cheekpieces added back on the Flat.

Form: 123310-

(11)

Valedictory²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Loughnane| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 87| BF

5/4

Confirmed previous promise when landing the odds in a Chelmsford novice on second of 2 starts last year. After a further 6 months off, shaped well on handicap debut when second of 14 at Newbury (1¼m) 3 weeks ago ago, closing all the way to the line. Not taken lightly up in trip.

Form: 3/41-2

(6)

Bulletin²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 86

15/2

Improved for going up in trip last season, doubling his tally in 11f handicap at Kempton in August. Ran well when making the frame next 2 starts and returned with a close third at Newbury (1¼) 3 weeks ago. Back up in grade but he's developed into a reliable type.

Form: 23143-3

(8)

Serenity Blue³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: J Mitchell| T: James Horton| OR: 86

9/1

Recorded back-to-back 1¼m novice victories last year, before having excuses switched to handicaps on final 2 outings of the campaign. After 7 months off, ran well when third of 9 at Kempton (1½m) in April and he could take a step forward from that outing (has been gelded). Respected.

Form: 51109-3

(15)

Classical Allusion²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 85| BF| D

14/1

Looked firmly above average when making a winning start at Southwell last year and backed that up when chasing home Constitution Hill at Kempton (1½) in March. Raced too keenly upped to 16.5f at Newbury on handicap debut last time, so he could fare better returned to shorter.

Form: 1-25

(3)

Wine Dark Sea²¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Saffie Osborne| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 78| D

16/1

Much improved upped to this distance when making a winning handicap debut at Kempton last summer. Not quite in the same form next time, but very good second when making the running in Old Rowley Cup at Newmarket in October (form boosted by the winner and third last weekend).

Form: 2/75162-

Non-Runners

(4)

Hermetic¹⁸⁸

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: Ian Williams J: Edward Greatrex

Forecasts

Valedictory (5/4), Opportunity (4/1), Bulletin (15/2), Serenity Blue (9/1), Boatswain (9/1), Al Wasl Storm (14/1), Classical Allusion (14/1), Wine Dark Sea (16/1), Hermetic (25/1), Gordon Grey (33/1), In The Breeze (33/1), Too Soon (50/1), Kirchner (50/1), Whatsgoingonmarvin (66/1), Siempre Arturo (100/1)

This could go the way of OPPORTUNITY, who made a good impression when winning a strong Haydock novice last year and remains with potential having been gelded ahead of this season's return. Valedictory made a promising seasonal/handicap debut and heads the list of dangers, with Serenity Blue and Wine Dark Sea others to consider.