14:45 Ascot
Saturday 8 September 2018
All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05
Cunard Handicap
- 3YO plus | Class 2 | 7f | Good to Firm (Good in places) | 20 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 14:47 | Winning time: 1m 26.25s
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Showed his liking for this venue when winning last year's Royal Hunt Cup and when second to Ripp Orf over C&D in May. Up against it in a Group 2 contest last time, but respected back in handicap company despite career-high mark. First-time blinkers.
Good juvenile who has competed with credit in valuable handicaps and did little wrong in a Group 3 Goodwood contest last time. Likely to produce another bold show, but continues to look on a stiff mark for a three-year-old.
Improved form in two starts at Goodwood since being gelded. Shapes as though ready for a return to the winner's enclosure off his current mark and has a sound each-way chance in a hot handicap.
Has not won since scoring three times as a juvenile, but has dropped to a fair mark and ran quite well when fifth of 15 in a valuable Chelmsford handicap. May have been closer with a clear run and has each-way claims off 1lb lower.
Landed a quite valuable York contest in May and has since performed with credit in competitive handicaps off a higher rating. Inching back down to a fair mark, seems to like this track and should be on the premises.
Often runs at this track and was a creditable fourth of 17 in this contest a year ago. Slowly away and was never sighted at Sandown last time, but is on a competitive mark if bouncing back.
Tough and progressive stable companion of Cardsharp who finished just in front of Mubtasim when fourth at Chelsmford on his latest start. Competes off the same career-high mark, but is likely to be thereabouts.
Fine effort, but behind Ripp Orf, when fifth in a hot C&D handicap two starts ago. Not at his best at Goodwood on his only subsequent run, but can be given a chance returning to this venue off a 2lb lower mark.
Back to form when landing a quite valuable 7f Newbury handicap for the second year in a row under this jockey. Has gone up 10lb, which looks harsh, and leading stable may have stronger claims with Mubtasim.
Chased home Squats at Newbury on latest outing and has a significant pulls in the weights which may enable him to turn the tables. Behind three of these rivals when fourth over C&D in May, but better treated with a couple of those now.
Victoria Cup winner over C&D in May and excellent third back over C&D at the end of July. Slowly away when fourth of six at Newmarket last month and is very much in the mix back at this venue off 1lb lower.
Back-to-back wins at Lingfield and Newmarket before finishing down the field off current rating at York last time. Promising 5lb claimer booked, but looks up against it in a field of this strength.
Behind Ripp Orf and Chessman when sixth of 27 in a strong handicap over C&D at the end of July. Consistent sort who knows how to handle himself in these sorts of races.
Four-times winner for Richard Hannon and makes his debut for a new trainer in a hot contest after finishing second of six in a valuable 6f claiming handicap at Chelmsford. Has not won for a while, but his new surroundings may have freshened him up.
Convincing C&D winner in July and has run well in two subsequent handicaps, latterly when not far behind Vale Of Kent and Mubtasim at Chelmsford. Suspicion that his current rating may catch him out.
Cut little ice in the 6f Stewards' Cup at Goodwood, but had previously run well when edged out off this mark over 7f at Newmarket. Others look better treated, however.
Yarmouth winner for Brian Meehan in June and has also scored on his two subsequent starts for current stable, latterly at Doncaster. Continues to climb the handicap, but cannot be ruled out in his current mood.
Back to form in style when cruising home by 7L at Sandown. Obvious contender if in the same mood, but 8lb rise in a far stronger race sets a far more difficult task.
Up the weights after winning a couple of handicaps earlier in the season, but ran respectably off 1lb higher than today's mark to be seventh, behind three of these rivals, over C&D in July. Vulnerable to better-handicapped rivals, but may go well.
Returned to winning ways when beating Cliffs Of Capri at Chelmsford last month. Much more needed off 4lb higher, but is quite lightly raced and shrewd stable is always to be respected.
Forecasts
Cape Byron (9/2), Ripp Orf (7/1), Gilgamesh (8/1), Spanish City (9/1), Cliffs Of Capri (10/1), Mubtasim (10/1), Sabador (12/1), Vale Of Kent (12/1), Chessman (12/1), Breanski (14/1), Raising Sand (16/1), Zhui Feng (20/1), Hajjam (22/1), Warsaw Road (25/1), Sea Fox (25/1), Squats (25/1), Belle Meade (25/1), Cardsharp (25/1), Tupi (33/1), Swift Approval (33/1)
A good prize is up for grabs so it is no surprise to see a strong field of handicappers show up. Several of them boast solid course form and the pick of them may be RIPP ORF, who won the Victoria Cup earlier this year and has since run another fine race over C&D. Cape Byron is running into top form and looks a big danger, bottom weight Warsaw Road represents a shrewd stable and Sabador is weighted to run a big race. Others to consider is a minefield for punters include Zhui Feng, Mubtasim, Gilgamesh, Raising Sand, Belle Meade and Chessman.
- Ripp Orf
- Cape Byron
- Gilgamesh
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £49,800.002nd: £14,912.003rd: £7,456.004th: £3,728.005th: £1,864.006th: £936.00
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