16:10 Ascot

Friday 5 October 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:45

Canaccord Genuity Gordon Carter Handicap

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 3m 31.25s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

What A Welcome²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Joey Haynes| T: P R Chamings| OR: 95| C

4/1

Been an absolute revelation since moving to this yard, winning seven of his nine starts. Scored here in last start over 1m4f and 4lb rise might not halt him just yet but this extra 4f takes him into unknown territory.

Form: 111411

(5)

Mancini⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Harry Bentley| T: J G Portman| OR: 93| D

11/2

Three-time winner this season, twice over 2m. Decent third over C&D penultimately after Goodwood success before finding a higher grade York contest tougher going. Capable at this level but handicap high enough.

Form: 114138

(12)

Machine Learner⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: J Tuite| OR: 91| C

11/1

1m6f winner here in July, his second success over the distance but disappointing in next two starts again here over 1m4f and latest at Newmarket 1m6f. Break since and top jockey booked so expecting better on first try at 2m.

Form: 70-0195

(8)

Darksideoftarnside^p¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Fran Berry| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87

8/1

Showed a liking for very testing conditions again latest when bouncing back in a 1m5f handicap at Ayr on heavy ground. Looks well worth a crack at this sort of trip based on that but will face very different conditions here.

Form: 21-671

(3)

Sunblazer^t¹¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-4| J: Joshua Bryan⁽³⁾| T: K Bailey & M Nicholls| OR: 85| D

40/1

Four-time 2m winner has only raced three times this year and was almost pulled-up when last seen at Newmarket in June when something surely amiss. Returns to action with enough question marks to look elsewhere.

Form: 131-360

(6)

African Jazz^p,t³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 92| D

4/1

Gained second career success latest when absolutely hacking up by 7L in his first try at 2m at Kempton in a weak four runner race. 7lb higher for this more competitive race but plenty of potential over this trip so leading player here.

Form: 15321

(13)

Never Surrender¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 82

10/1

1m4f Epsom winner in August was possibly bogged down behind Darksideoftarnside at Ayr latest in heavy ground. Seemed to stay 1m6f the time before but not convinced 2m will be within his compass (first try).

Form: 431526

(10)

Arab Moon³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: W J Knight| OR: 82| D

7/1

Ran a couple of decent races over 2m this season before gaining first win over the trip latest at Kempton on the AW. 9lb lower turf mark is very appealing and ran well at York in the summer so seems as effective on the surface.

Form: 653381

(14)

C'Est No Mour¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: P Hedger| OR: 81

7/1

Four-time winner last season at up to 1m4f has made the frame five times this year without winning. Only below par run recently when tackling 2m for the only time and far from convinced he stayed so big concerns over this trip.

Form: 358323

(2)

Guard Of Honour^b³⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Josephine Gordon| T: George Baker| OR: 81| D

40/1

Over three years since his last win and not really got competitive in four starts this season. Stopped rapidly in France over 1m6½f latest which was concerning considering he stays well over 2m. Others more appealing now.

Form: 68-0405

(7)

Gavlar^v³¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: G Mosse| T: W J Knight| OR: 80| D

33/1

2m Kempton AW winner was last of seven beaten 18½L next behind Arab Moon when upped in class to this level. Better than that but still hard to see him turning the tables on that rival.

Form: 580317

(9)

Ravenous²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: L A Dace| OR: 76

25/1

Won last two starts at Salisbury (1m6f) and Chester (1m6½f). Only 2lb higher than last success so handicap mark not beyond him but lone 2m try last season seemed to see the tank empty so trip would have to be a doubt.

Form: 225411

Non-Runners

(4)

Percy's Word³¹

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: S & E Crisford J: Andrea Atzeni

(11)

Alfredo¹⁹

Weight: 9-9| Age: 6

T: S Durack J: J P Spencer

Forecasts

What A Welcome (4/1), African Jazz (4/1), Mancini (11/2), C'Est No Mour (7/1), Arab Moon (7/1), Darksideoftarnside (8/1), Never Surrender (10/1), Machine Learner (11/1), Percy's Word (12/1), Alfredo (14/1), Ravenous (25/1), Gavlar (33/1), Guard Of Honour (40/1), Sunblazer (40/1)

AFRICAN JAZZ looked a stayer of serious potential in his first try at 2m last time where he fairly hosed up. This is a tougher contest but a 7lb rise is not unfair and looks unlikely to stop him here. Arab Moon is the obvious danger having won well at Kempton latest and he can take advantage of a lower turf mark here which is generous given his form on turf is pretty good overall. What A Welcome is an unknown over 2m but having won seven of his nine starts for this yard he can't be dismissed.