16:45 Ascot

Saturday 25 July 2026

All13:1013:4514:2014:5515:3516:1016:4517:20

Betfred Handicap (Str)

Off time: 16:47 | Winning time: 1m 42.65s

(9)

Blue Rc³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Colin Keane| T: J Tate| OR: 104| D

10/3

Added to his tally at Southwell in January and showed himself to be better than ever when runner-up for the third time since in 28-runner Royal Hunt Cup over C&D last month. Up 4 lb but this fluent traveller is expected to be bang there.

Form: 2-12292

(10)

Crown Board²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: S De Sousa| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 103| D

9/1

Made into a smart handicapper in the second half of 2025 and back to his best after 4 months off when third of 10 in handicap at Newmarket (7f) 21 days ago. Needs considering eased 1 lb.

Form: 41-4803

(4)

Urban Lion³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Tom Marquand| T: J Channon| OR: 101| D

14/1

Generally progressive in 2025 and took another step forward when digging deep for success in the Lincoln at Doncaster on return. However, well held in Spring Cup at Newbury and Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot since.

Form: 309-100

(8)

Asmen Warrior^v¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Cieren Fallon| T: James Owen| OR: 99| D

11/2

Upwardly-mobile sort who readily landed 13-runner handicap at Newmarket (1m) 16 days ago, settling better than usual. Hiked up 8 lb but this strong-travelling type is not taken lightly.

Form: 2-23201

(2)

Grizedale¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 96| D

4/1

Improving 4-y-o who went 2-3 this year with impressive success in 12-runner handicap at Newbury (1m) 16 days ago, drawing clear last 1f. A likely player despite 9 lb weights rise with Oisin Murphy back up.

Form: 237-011

(1)

Spanish Voice^t¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: A M Balding| OR: 94| D

13/2

Gained a third victory of the season in 1m handicap at Newmarket in June. Not disgraced when fifth of 13 to Asmen Warrior there (1m) since, making his effort earlier than ideal. Not out of things.

Form: 871015

(7)

Hickory^p¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 93| C

10/1

Yet to hit top form this season, just a respectable sixth of 13 to Asmen Warrior in handicap at Newmarket (1m) 16 days ago. Goes very well here though (Victoria Cup winner in 2025) so can't be ruled out from an easing mark.

Form: 12-0606

(6)

Christian David^b⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 88| D

11/1

A dual 7f scorer in 2025. Back to that sort of form of late, fourth of 9 in handicap at Doncaster (7f) 7 days ago when needing a stronger gallop. No forlorn hope.

Form: 093454

(5)

Salam Dubawi⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Harry Davies| T: J S Goldie| OR: 87| BF| D

22/1

Fair German 1m winner in 2025. Has improved for new yard this season, scoring at Hamilton (9f) in May and an excellent fifth in John Smith's Cup at York (demoted for hanging left). Not at his best when fourth of 5 at Hamilton last time but the sort to bounce back.

Form: 0103D4

(3)

Spoken Truth²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: D Egan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 85

25/1

Not long with new connections and has shaped well on several occasions, runner-up (for third time) at Nottingham in June. Ridden closer to pace than usual when only sixth in handicap at Sandown (1¼m) last time. Can bounce back here.

Form: 422326

(11)

Frankies Dream^h¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: William Pyle| T: J Candlish| OR: 82

18/1

Won 6 times in the first half of last year. Has returned in good nick, placed 4 times before going too freely up in trip when seventh at York 15 days ago. Not discounted back at 1m now.

Form: 033237

Forecasts

Blue Rc (10/3), Grizedale (4/1), Asmen Warrior (11/2), Spanish Voice (13/2), Crown Board (9/1), Hickory (10/1), Christian David (11/1), Urban Lion (14/1), Frankies Dream (18/1), Salam Dubawi (22/1), Spoken Truth (25/1)

A case can be made for most of these but BLUE RC showed himself to be still on the up with an excellent second in the Hunt Cup over C&D last month and is hard to side against. Grizedale continues to impress and rates a big danger though in his bid for a third victory of 2026, while Hickory's good record here means he can't be ruled out either. Asmen Warrior completes the shortlist in a cracking handicap.