16:45 Ascot

Friday 3 September 2021

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4016:1016:45

War Horse Memorial Handicap

Off time: 16:46 | Winning time: 1m 27.35s

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Selected odds by:

(7)

Northern Express^h²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: J P Spencer| T: M Dods| OR: 86| D

5/1

Had shaped as though on a workable mark and proved well served by switch to patient tactics when coming fast and late to score at York (7f) in July. Messy race at Haydock against him last time.

Form: 320513

(5)

Papacito²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 86| D

4/1

Novice winner at Salisbury in June and maintained unbeaten record under a penalty 9 weeks later at Doncaster. Opening mark by no means a gift but he's open to progress.

Form: 11

(1)

Dark Shift³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: C Hills| OR: 84| C

10/3

Came out on top in 6f Nottingham novice before eye-catching eighth of 17 on York handicap bow, making up lot of ground after slow start. Hasn't progressed as expected since.

Form: 12-1846

(4)

Rogue Bear¹¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Shepherd| T: Tom Clover| OR: 79

15/2

Well prepared to make a winning debut over 6f at Doncaster in April. Similar form when third under a penalty over the same C&D and 7f will suit now handicapping.

Form: 13

(6)

Cooperation²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Angus Villiers⁽⁵⁾| T: K P De Foy| OR: 79

11/2

Successful twice over 6f this summer but ended time with Richard Fahey in disappointing fashion. Up in trip starting out for another good yard.

Form: 217189

(2)

Helm Rock^t⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: S De Sousa| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 78| D

9/2

Two wins in the mud at Carlisle in May. Revised mark beyond him twice since and now back markedly in trip.

Form: 351174

(8)

New Dynasty⁷⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S M Levey| T: J Tate| OR: 76| D

33/1

Left debut form well behind when landing 11-runner minor event at Newcastle in January (7f). Off 5 months and matched that form when fourth over same C&D ahead of this handicap/turf debut.

Form: 7-14

(3)

May Night¹¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 75| BF| D

12/1

Enhanced progressive profile when scoring at Kempton in March and away from fibresand, he took another leap forward back on turf when runner-up at Newmarket. Up 5 lb for that.

Form: 813-122

Forecasts

Dark Shift (10/3), Papacito (4/1), Helm Rock (9/2), Northern Express (5/1), Cooperation (11/2), Rogue Bear (15/2), May Night (12/1), New Dynasty (33/1)

NORTHERN EXPRESS can be forgiven his defeat at Haydock held up in a tactical affair and on the evidence of his York success prior to that, he's up to winning from this mark. Papacito defends an unbeaten record and is in top hands, so has to be feared, with Rogue Bear another handicap debutant to note.