16:55 Ascot
Saturday 11 May 2024
All13:3014:0514:4015:1015:4516:2016:55
Peroni Nastro Azzurro 0.0% Blue Ribbon Handicap
- 4YO plus | Class 4 | 6f | Good (Good to Firm in places) | 26 Runners | Turf | Weighed In
- Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 1m 12.8s
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Selected odds by:
C&D winner as a 2yo and doubled his tally when scoring in good style in a Bath handicap (5.7f, good to firm) in September. Went close back here on his recent seasonal reappearance and while more is needed having been raised 3 lb for that, he should make his presence felt.
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Bagged sprint handicaps at Newbury and Yarmouth last summer, and further success surely awaits this season judged on her encouraging reappearance third at Windsor (6f, good) where she conceded first run and generally wasn't seen to best effect. Cheekpieces refitted and she's one to consider.
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Regained the winning thread over 6f at Windsor last term and positive start to this season in a change of headgear (cheekpieces replaced visor) when runner-up over the same C&D last month. Couldn't rule out off the same mark here with the visor refitted.
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Had slipped below his last winning mark and capitalised on a drop in grade when striking at Yarmouth (5.2f, good to firm) on return last month. However, failed to beat a rival home here recently and while the booking of Jim Crowley is a plus (Crowley is 2-2 aboard this 4-y-o), others are preferred.
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Gelded ahead of 2023 reappearance and won first 4 starts of that campaign. Some encouraging efforts for new yard this year and though 11 lb above his last winning mark, he is by no means handicapped out of things (good second off 3 lb higher at the big Goodwood meeting last summer). Not discounted.
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Started off 2023 in good form, winning at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) in June on his third start of the campaign. Wasn't at the same level towards the end of the year but wasn't too far behind Buccabay when fourth on return here (5f, good) and he was successful in this race in 2022.
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Yet to add to 2-y-o debut success but has taken steps back in the right direction by making the frame in 5f handicaps here the last twice, including on his seasonal reappearance in a first-time hood (retained) 10 days ago. Down another 1 lb and a bold show anticipated with William Buick taking over.
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Proved that he retains ability when fifth at Lingfield (1m, AW) following a 14-month absence in March but he failed to build on that over the same C&D next time.
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Hit the target twice in 2023 and, having slipped back down the weights following a string of low-key efforts, he got his head back in front at Chelmsford (6f) recently. Remains on a good mark nudged up 2 lb and he could have a part to play.
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In good form on the AW towards the end of last year and though yet to deliver the goods on turf, he shaped pretty well when mid-field on return in a 16-runner Newbury handicap (6f, good to soft). Still, he'll need to take a step forward if he's to emerge on top here.
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Showed a game attitude and produced a career best when making all at Wolverhampton (6f) in November 2022. However, absent since a lesser effort over the same C&D a month later, so it's reasonable to assume that he'll be better for the run.
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Won 3 times in 2023 and added to his tally when narrowly prevailing at Southwell on his latest start in March. 3 lb nudge fair enough and he is effective on turf, too, but this assignment demands a clear personal best.
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All 3 wins gained on the AW but he's also effective on turf and shaped well when fifth of 11 at Windsor (6f, good) last month. Wasn't knocked about that day and continues to edge down the weights, so there is cause for optimism.
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Back in the winning groove when accounting for 5 rivals at Windsor (5f, good to soft) last time. Remains on a fair mark up 3 lb but several of these rivals are more appealing all the same.
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Sole success to date was gained on the AW at 2 yrs and he has finished nearer last than first both starts since joining present yard.
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Doncaster winner off this mark last summer and stepped up on his reappearance spin when 1½ lengths sixth to Kuwait City at Yarmouth. Wasn't in the same form back on Town Moor last time, though, and others look more solid.
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Made second start for this yard a winning one at Newcastle (7f) in January. Good third over the same C&D next time but form has dipped the last twice and he's 0-5 on turf. Tongue strap refitted.
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Scored twice last season and kicked off this campaign with a creditable third in the 11-runner Windsor handicap won by Bishop's Crown, finishing a whisker behind the runner-up, Capote's Dream, with Expert Agent back in fifth. Place possibilities.
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Winner at Wolverhampton in March and has made the frame both starts since, latterly chasing home Many A Star off this mark at Kempton (6f). By no means a forlorn hope but he will need to up his game if he's to bag this prize.
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Rewarded for string of consistent efforts when back on the scoreboard at Kempton (7f) in September. Nothing wrong with his latest display at Lingfield (7f, AW). 2 lb lower back on turf and, provided that this drop back in trip doesn't count against him, he's not without each-way hope.
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Made light of a 12-month absence on Kempton yard debut in October. Respectable fifth of 11 on reappearance there (6f) on retutn last month but he wasn't able to build on that returned to turf at Leicester a fortnight ago. Cheekpieces refitted.
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Scored on 2 occasions last year and and ended 2023 campaign with a couple of creditable efforts in deteat at Wolverhampton (6f). Still, she's not the most consistent of types on the whole and likely to find one or two too good here.
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Opened her account at Lingfield in December and largely creditable efforts in defeat since, not least when finding just one too good at Wolverhampton (6f) last month. Oisin Murphy again aboard and she will be a threat if reproducing that form on her turf debut.
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In good form since scoring at Wolverhampton (7f) in February, making the frame next 3 starts prior to striking again at Chelmsford (6f) 9 days ago. However, record on turf (0-22) tempers enthusiasm.
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Cashed in on a reduced mark when getting on top close home at Bath (5f, heavy) last month. Decent fourth over the same C&D 13 days ago but she looks vulnerable in this more competitive handicap.
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Back on the scoresheet at Kempton (7f) in November and followed up over 6f there 7 days later. Not so good next 2 starts, though, and others make more appeal.
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Non-Runners
25
(26)
Buraback14
Weight: 8-11| Age: 5
T: D Shaw J: Aidan Keeley
NR
Forecasts
Brave Nation (7/1), Champagne Sarah (15/2), Habooba (8/1), Mister Bluebird (11/1), Dark Side Thunder (12/1), Buccabay (12/1), Abbey Heights (12/1), Holkham Bay (14/1), Temple Bruer (14/1), Buraback (16/1), Alcazan (18/1), Northcliff (20/1), Fantasy Master (20/1), One More Wave (20/1), Wildfell (20/1), Starproof (22/1), Capote's Dream (25/1), Tadreeb (25/1), King Cabo (28/1), Sarah's Verse (33/1), Antiphon (33/1), Al Ameen (33/1), Kuwait City (33/1), Expert Agent (33/1), The Cola Kid (50/1), Beelzebub (50/1), Zu Run (80/1)
The return to this trip will be a plus for BRAVE NATION, who kept on well in the closing stages when third over 5f here recently. He has edged down to a tempting mark and is appealing with William Buick in the hot-seat. Expert Agent shaped well at Windor last month and he is also lurking on a dangerous mark, while Champagne Sarah, Habooba and Mister Bluebird are other to consider.
- Brave Nation7/1
- Expert Agent33/1
- Champagne Sarah15/2
Previous Winners
Prize Money
1st: £10,808.002nd: £5,072.003rd: £2,534.004th: £1,268.005th: £632.00
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