16:05 Ascot

Friday 24 July 2026

All14:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:12

Sodexo Live! Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 2m 32.78s

(1)

French Duke^h³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: James Doyle| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 100| D

12/1

Doubled his tally on first start for new yard having left Roger Varian at Meydan (1½m, good) in January. Not so good tried in listed company at Abu Dhabi next time and wasn't remotely competitive back in Britian in Royal Ascot handicap last month. Hood refitted.

Form: 803-160

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(5)

Merveilleux Lapin³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Callum Rodriguez| T: Owen Burrows| OR: 96

7/1

Polish Oaks winner who was unlucky not to make a successful handicap/stable debut on reappearance at Windsor in May (denied a clear run). Ran to a similar level back up in trip/grade when fourth of 8 in Pontefract listed event (1½m) last month and warrants respect back in handicap company.

Form: 1/530-24

(9)

Theory Of Tides²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 94

6/1

Looked a good prospect when winning first 2 starts in spring 2024 and took his form up a notch when running well both starts in defeat last season. Left John & Thady Gosden (58,000 gns) and ran up to his best returning from a 10-month absence when second in 1¼m Sandown handicap recently. Up in trip.

Form: 000/42-2

(2)

Flying Frontier²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: H Crouch| T: J Tate| OR: 93

25/1

Low-mileage 6-y-o who showed the benefit of his reappearance when fourth in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar (1¼m) in May. Took too long to find his stride under a typically patient ride at Sandown since and worth another go at this trip.

Form: 919-844

(3)

Dancing In Paris²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: D Egan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 91| C| D

20/1

Acquitted himself well without winning in staying handicaps last year. Well beaten at Epsom on reappearance and was too free back at 2m in Northumberland Plate last time.

Form: 8240-90

(6)

Fantasy Believer¹³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: E Walker| OR: 90| C

10/1

Landed a useful handicap at Doncaster last September and made an encouraging return from 8 months off when fifth of 16 at York in June. Better than he could show back there last time and not taken lightly on this return to 1½m.

Form: 7160-50

(7)

Al Azd^b³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 100| D

2/1

Improved since the blinkers went on, winning 11f maiden at Southwell and 1½m handicap at Doncaster this spring. Unsuited by the drop back to 1¼m in the London Gold Cup and quickly back on the up returned to 1½m when second of 17 in King George V Stakes at Royal meeting latest. Remains of interest.

Form: 221162

(8)

Elsass⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: C Johnston| OR: 87

17/2

Returned from a break/gelding operation an improved model, following up Southwell success with plenty to spare at Hamilton (11f) in mid-May. Eased off as if amiss in Old Newton Cup at Haydock 7 weeks later but wasted no time getting back on track when third of 7 at Ripon (1½m) last week.

Form: 20-1103

(4)

Study Of Words⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Billy Loughnane| T: C Appleby| OR: 93| BF

10/3

Progressed with each run at 2, easily winning 1¼m Newmarket maiden on final start. Confirmed he's useful when third of 5 in handicap back at Newmarket (1¼m again) on reappearance and was possibly amiss to shape as he did at Doncaster (14.5f) last time. Worth another chance.

Form: 521-35

Forecasts

Al Azd (2/1), Study Of Words (10/3), Theory Of Tides (6/1), Merveilleux Lapin (7/1), Elsass (17/2), Fantasy Believer (10/1), French Duke (12/1), Dancing In Paris (20/1), Flying Frontier (25/1)

AL AZD has been most progressive since the blinkers went on and his second in the King George V Stakes at the Royal Meeting is without question a strong piece of form, so he remains of firm interest. Fellow 3-y-o Study of Words was possibly amiss to shape as he did at Doncaster and is worth another chance to resume his progress, while Merveilleux Lapin is also feared back in a handicap.