16:50 Ascot

Saturday 29 July 2023

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5017:25

Betfred Handicap (Str)

Off time: 16:52 | Winning time: 1m 45.0s

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(6)

Rodaballo¹⁴⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: J P Spencer| T: G Arizkorreta Elosegui| OR: 104| D

11/1

Useful in Spain with seven of his 8 career victories at Madrid (including on soft ground). Not discredited in three runs at Meydan earlier this year, making the frame in minor event (7f) won by Al Suhail in March. Tough ask on handicap bow, though jockey booking catches the eye.

Form: 121-574

(10)

Ghaly³⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 102| D

9/4

Proved better than ever in light campaign last year, landing two of his 3 starts with the form of his Newmarket success in October working out well. Shaped better than result in Royal Hunt Cup at this C&D on return, doing too much too soon, so he's not one to take lightly.

Form: 12/211-0

(9)

Major Partnership^t²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-13| J: K Stott| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 101| D

12/1

After 3 months off, recorded a first success in over 3 year when scoring cosily at Nottingham (8.3f) in June. Ran creditably in a stronger race when sixth of 15 at Sandown 3 weeks ago, so he can give another good account but more needed to resume winning ways.

Form: 6-95816

(8)

Empirestateofmind^b³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 99| D

15/2

Improved in the second half of 2022, following success at Thirsk (1m) with a trio of good runner-up efforts. Also finished second at Newmarket in April and could get back to form this time around, having possibly needed the run after 8 weeks off on his latest outing.

Form: 22-7209

(7)

Akhu Najla³⁰⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 97| BF| D

6/1

Very-expensive yearling and was an impressive winner of a Yarmouth maiden (1m) in April last year on his second outing. Didn't go on from that effort in his two remaining starts of the season, but he could yet do better on his return from 10 months off.

Form: 2/138-

(2)

Storm Catcher³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: L Dettori| T: S Pearce| OR: 87

9/1

Completed a hat-trick at Chelmsford (all at 10f) during the winter, with his latest success in February. Holding his form well since, running creditably when second back at Chelmsford last time, albeit no match for the impressive winner. Faces stiffer task now upped in grade.

Form: 1-11472

(1)

Spirit Catcher^h⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: R Kingscote| T: C Johnston| OR: 86| BF| D

8/1

Twelve runs since his last win in 2022, but ran well when second at Redcar and Newcastle (both at 1m) on his first 2 starts this season. Run best excused when well held at Ripon last week having been carried wide by loose horse, so no surprise to see him get back on track.

Form: 32-2287

(5)

Mr Mistoffelees³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Marco Ghiani| T: H Morrison| OR: 89| D

12/1

Progressive at 2 yrs, getting off the mark at Kempton (1m) in December. Ran well in defeat on first 2 starts this term, not beaten far when mid-field in London Gold Cup at Newbury (10f). Didn't get home upped in trip at Royal Ascot last time, but needs to resume progress back at 1m.

Form: 051-670

(3)

Lowton²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: E Bethell| OR: 89

13/2

Shaped well on debut and didn't need to improve to land the odds in maiden at Leicester (7f) next time. Only narrowly followed up in minor event at Newcastle last month, though showed good attitude to lead close home in a slowly-run race. Remains with potential now handicapping.

Form: 311

Non-Runners

(4)

Lattam³⁰

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: W J Haggas J: R L Moore

Forecasts

Ghaly (9/4), Lattam (4/1), Akhu Najla (6/1), Lowton (13/2), Empirestateofmind (15/2), Spirit Catcher (8/1), Storm Catcher (9/1), Rodaballo (11/1), Major Partnership (12/1), Mr Mistoffelees (12/1)

LATTAM has shown improved form in handicaps over 1m this year, overcoming the run of the race when scoring at Newcastle a month ago, and he can land his third success of the season. The main danger could be Ghaly, who shaped well in the Royal Hunt Cup here on his return, while Lowton also merits consideration upped in trip for his handicap debut.