15:35 Ascot

Saturday 7 October 2023

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

Howden Challenge Cup (Heritage Handicap)

Off time: 15:39 | Winning time: 1m 27.14s

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Selected odds by:

(11)

Popmaster¹⁵^{(ex 6)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 100| C| D

10/1

Winner over 6f here in July and just touched off by Quinault with several of these rivals behind over C&D last month. Better than ever when landing a 7f Newbury listed contest (heavy) 13 days later and, 3 lb well-in under a penalty back in handicap company, he's a must for the shortlist.

Form: 100221

(8)

Biggles¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 105| D

10/1

Second in C&D Victoria Cup during the spring and took his form up another notch when landing the Bunbury Cup at Newmarket in July. Not at his best in 3 subsequent starts, though, and it could be that the handicapper has his measure for now.

Form: 291045

(4)

Blue For You^t1,v²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: P Mulrennan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 102| D

28/1

Resumed winning ways in good style at York (1m, good) in July but has failed to make an impact in 3 runs since, leaving the impression that he's probably in the handicapper's grip at present. One of several representing the David O'Meara yard.

Form: 501000

(1)

Quinault^h,t²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Luke Catton⁽⁵⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 102| CD

11/2

One of the success stories of the season so far, completing a remarkable six-timer at Newmarket in July. Back on the up when narrowly seeing off Popmaster (2 lb pull) and 12 others over C&D (firm) last month and, with no rain forecast, another bold show is on the cards.

Form: 111131

(3)

Bless Him^h⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Hayley Turner| T: D M Simcock| OR: 100| C| D

14/1

Still a smart operator on his day, running well in big fields in the Royal Hunt Cup and the Bunbury Cup in the summer. Not seen to best effect the last twice and he's an each-way player in a race that will almost certainly be run to suit.

Form: 754075

(17)

Rhoscolyn^t¹⁰^{(ex 6)}

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| D

33/1

Dropped in the weights and back in excellent order during the summer, winning brace of 7f handicaps at Goodwood in August. Hit the target again at that Sussex venue (1m, soft) recently but more on his plate under a penalty here.

Form: 210171

(18)

Fresh^t²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: J Mitchell| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 99| CD

9/2

Solid record in big 6f/7f handicaps here in recent years and, though yet to get his head in front this season, his turn appears to be again near judged on eye-catching efforts at York and the Curragh on his last 2 starts. Very much one to consider.

Form: 505056

(5)

Ropey Guest^v²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: T P Queally| T: G G Margarson| OR: 99| D

28/1

Bagged a second success of 2023 with a career best in 19-runner handicap at York (1m, good to firm) in August. Best not to read too much into his latest effort behind Quinault over C&D (left poorly placed) but he looks vulnerable all the same.

Form: 102010

(13)

Atrium²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Harry Davies| T: C Fellowes| OR: 96| BF| CD

25/1

Found ease in weights/drop in grade liberating and bounced back to best when landing share of the spoils at Doncaster (7f, soft) in July. However, below par both starts since and while he's dangerous to completely rule out, one or two of these are more appealing.

Form: 589106

(10)

Escobar^p,t¹⁴

Age: 9| Weight: 9-1| J: N Callan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94| CD

14/1

Sixth in this race in 2021 and right back to his best when coming from off the pace to land last year's renewal off an 11 lb higher mark. 0-11 so far this season, though, and he was well down the field in the C&D handicap won by Quinault on penultimate start.

Form: 080400

(6)

Maywake³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 93| D

11/1

Has proved a model of consistency this year, finishing out of the frame in just one of his 9 starts since returning to action in April. Looked better than ever when scoring at Sandown (7f, good to soft) last month and couldn't rule out, for all that he's now 6 lb higher in a much tougher race.

Form: 324151

(12)

Lethal Levi^v¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 93

20/1

Yet to score this term but has posted some good efforts in defeat, including when ninth of 24 in the 6f Ayr Gold in the first-time visor (retained here) a fortnight ago. Not sure that stepping back up to this trip is what he wants, though.

Form: 355749

(14)

Ancestral Land^p²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: William Cox| T: C G Cox| OR: 94

50/1

6f novice winner at 2 yrs who ran up to his best when third (in first-time cheekpieces) at Sandown (7f, good to firm) in June. However, he was below par tried in blinkers (discarded here) back from a break at Doncaster, which was his first run since being gelded. Cheekpieces refitted.

Form: 3-44936

(16)

Glenfinnan⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P J Dobbs| T: A M Balding| OR: 94| CD

14/1

Well suited by the emphasis on speed when gaining his first win of the year in an 8-runner minor event over C&D (good to firm) last month. However, found out off this mark back in handicap company at Newmarket and this is not any easier.

Form: 1-49516

(7)

Orbaan^p,t¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Hart| T: D O'Meara| OR: 90| CD

16/1

Good fifth in the C&D Balmoral off 10 lb higher last October and, not for the first time this season, he caught the eye when putting in good late work in first-time cheekpieces (retained) at York (7f, soft) a fortnight ago. Needs considering.

Form: 795005

(9)

Pearle D'or^h¹⁴^{(ex 6)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Jim Crowley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 84| CD

10/1

Better than ever since refitted with a hood, scoring over C&D (good to soft) in July and added to his tally under testing conditions at Newbury 2 weeks ago. This is more demanding under a penalty but he's respected with Jim Crowley in the hot-seat.

Form: 692131

(2)

Hickory^v²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 89| D

13/2

Completed hat-trick in 7f handicap at Kempton in December. Unable to add to tally in 2023 but solid efforts in C&D handicaps won by Baradar and Quinault the last twice, and likely to be in the thick of things once again if taking his chance.

Form: 442023

Non-Runners

(15)

Baradar²²

Weight: 9-12| Age: 5

T: G Boughey J: H Crouch

Forecasts

Fresh (9/2), Quinault (11/2), Baradar (11/2), Hickory (13/2), Popmaster (10/1), Pearle D'or (10/1), Biggles (10/1), Maywake (11/1), Escobar (14/1), Glenfinnan (14/1), Bless Him (14/1), Orbaan (16/1), Lethal Levi (20/1), Atrium (25/1), Ropey Guest (28/1), Blue For You (28/1), Rhoscolyn (33/1), Ancestral Land (50/1)

A typically competitive renewal of this valuable handicap and FRESH is taken to register a belated first success of the season. The 6-y-o is now 3 lb lower than for the second of his two C&D victories in 2022 and again shaped as though he's ready to strike when sixth at the Curragh last month. The David O'Meara-trained duo Orbaan and Pearle d'Or both merit respect, while the hat-trick seeking Baradar, recent listed winner Popmaster and consistent types Quinault and Maywake all have claims, too.