13:40 Ascot

Saturday 10 August 2019

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:00

Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (Handicap)

Off time: 13:40 | Winning time: 3m 31.83s

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Selected odds by:

(5)

Aircraft Carrier^v⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: T P O'Shea| T: J Ryan| OR: 99

16/1

Sole win on turf came at Gowran Park on soft to heavy ground and while he enjoyed a productive winter on AW, he's lost his form badly subsequently; opposable.

Form: 1-14680

(8)

What A Welcome⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: F Minarik| T: P R Chamings| OR: 98| CD

4/1

Dual course winner who is just 3lb above his C&D winning mark from the end of last season. Needs to improve on his latest effort at Goodwood but a step back up in trip will suit at least.

Form: 1-82408

(10)

Alfredo^p,t²⁰⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: J P Spencer| T: S Durack| OR: 93| D

16/1

Has won five of his seven starts on AW but only has a NH bumper success to his name on turf. Struggling from his revised handicap mark after a Kempton win earlier in the campaign.

Form: 24015-4

(1)

Lorelina²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Jamie Kah| T: A M Balding| OR: 92

12/1

Below form in her four starts this year and at her best with some cut in the ground. Unproven at this trip and while the yard do well with their stayers, this mare has a fair amount to prove at present.

Form: 88-4584

(11)

Billy Ray²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: M R Channon| OR: 92

11/4

Both career wins have come with plenty of cut in the ground and he produced a career best when stepped up to a similar trip to this at Newbury last time out. Up 3lb but he can go well again provided he handles likely quick conditions.

Form: 513-652

(6)

Eddystone Rock²⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Hayley Turner| T: J R Best| OR: 91

13/2

Yet to win over further than 1m3½f but has won twice already this season and shaped like a step up in trip may yield some improvement last time out at Newmarket. Dropped 1lb and holds each-way claims.

Form: 231357

(7)

Theglasgowwarrior⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Mark Zahra| T: J S Goldie| OR: 90

12/1

Won four times last year and kicked off this season in good form with a couple of placed efforts prior to a 1m4f Hamilton success. Hasn't been able to replicate that form subsequently though and vulnerable in a competitive heat here.

Form: 321895

(4)

Grandee¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Yuga Kawada| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 89| BF

6/1

Has only won once since a Leopardstown success in Listed company in 2017. Has run well in defeat in recent starts in competitive handicaps though and could have more to give at this sort of trip.

Form: 145753

(3)

Blue Laureate¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Nanako Fujita⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 88

11/2

Sole win in 16 starts came at Doncaster (1m) in maiden company as a juvenile but shaped like a return to form may be imminent last time over C&D. Yet to finish out of the places in three runs here and he can go well again.

Form: 27-2573

(12)

Al Kout^h²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: G Mosse| T: H Main| OR: 85

22/1

First Reserve: A two-time winner on AW and while still a turf maiden, he's run some big races in defeat. Failed to beat a rival home in Billy Ray's Newbury win last time out (too keen early) and may want cut in the ground to be seen at his best.

Form: 0-19720

Non-Runners

(2)

Time To Study²⁹

Weight: 9-8| Age: 5

T: Ian Williams J: G Mosse

(9)

Diocletian¹⁴

Weight: 9-0| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: Reserve 2

Forecasts

Billy Ray (11/4), What A Welcome (4/1), Blue Laureate (11/2), Grandee (6/1), Eddystone Rock (13/2), Diocletian (8/1), Time To Study (10/1), Theglasgowwarrior (12/1), Lorelina (12/1), Aircraft Carrier (16/1), Alfredo (16/1), Al Kout (22/1)

BILLY RAY won a competitive heat at Newbury last time out and is the tentative selection in a wide open race. If enough rain arrives, Time To Study is an obvious player on his Royal Ascot form while Blue Laureate saves his best for this venue and can't be dismissed after a promising run last time out.