Royal Ascot Local Schools Art Competition Handicap

Off time: 15:30 | Winning time: 2m 6.62s

(4)

Waterford Castle^p1²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 84

7/4

Son of Sea The Stars who bumped into another big improver but still matched previous best when second of 8 in handicap at Newmarket (1¼m) 24 days ago. Cheekpieces go on 1st time and surely only a matter of time before he breaks his duck.

Form: 376-222

(3)

Sassicaia²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Saffie Osborne| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 81

11/4

Bred to be useful and beat several subsequent improvers when making a winning debut at Wolverhampton (8.6f) in December. Took another step forward for all he couldn't defy a penalty when fourth on return at Southwell (1m) 24 days ago and he remains with potential now handicapping/up in trip.

Form: 1-4

(5)

Devil's Peak³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 80

10/3

Well-grown gelding who showed plenty of ability as a juvenile and found progress for step up in trip when just touched off on return at Kempton (11f) 6 weeks ago, possible he'd have won but for lugging right for so long. Has races in him from this sort of mark.

Form: 82434-2

(2)

Enemy Agent^p1²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Davies| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 80

33/1

Promising Earthlight gelding who justified support to make a winning debut in a Kempton maiden (1m) in March. Came up short in follow-up bid under a penalty at Yarmouth since but bred to be suited by this trip now handicapping with cheekpieces now fitted.

Form: 16

(1)

Sintra²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 75

4/1

Kingman colt who has improved a little by the run in 3 starts to date, chasing home a useful pair in a 5-runner Yarmouth novice on qualifying run over this trip 4 weeks ago. Goes handicapping from what looks a workable opening mark and surprise were he not capable of better.

Form: 323

Forecasts

Waterford Castle (7/4), Sassicaia (11/4), Devil's Peak (10/3), Sintra (4/1), Enemy Agent (33/1)

An interesting 3-y-o handicap despite the small field with WATERFORD CASTLE earning the vote. George Boughey's charge looked well served by the step up to this trip when bumping into yet another big improver at Newmarket 24 days ago. Now equipped with cheekpieces, he can deservedly open his account, possibly at the chief expense of Sassicaia. Devil's Peak completes the shortlist.