17:20 Ascot

Friday 6 September 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Sodexo Live! Handicap

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 1m 29.98s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Pedro Valentino^p⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: C G Cox| OR: 86| D

11/4

Successful from the front at Haydock (7f) in June and progressed again subsequently, runner-up over C&D before going in again at Yarmouth (7f) 6 weeks ago. Uncomplicated sort who has to be of interest from revised mark.

Form: 1-35121

(7)

Love Billy Boy^b¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 85

14/1

Made a winning start on soft ground at Musselburgh at 2 yrs and doubled his tally under similar conditions when winning 13-runner handicap at Chester (7.6f) in June. However, needs to bounce back following a pair of lesser efforts at Yarmouth/Newmarket more recently. Blinkers back on.

Form: 224193

(9)

Smart Vision^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: Jessica Macey| OR: 84| D

17/2

Due Diligence gelding who comes here at the top of his game, making it 2 wins from his last 3 starts in 8-runner handicap at Thirsk (7f, good) 21 days ago. This looks tougher but he's not underestimated up 6 lb.

Form: 903141

(3)

Jimmy Speaking⁸¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 82| C

14/1

Successful on return at Chelmsford (6f) in April and followed up over 6f here a month later. Dispelled a lesser effort back on AW when runner-up at Windsor (6f) in June and interesting he's been given a break ahead of this. Steps back up in trip.

Form: 63-1192

(5)

Lessay^h²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 78| D

17/2

Winner on debut at Kempton (1m) in December and lines up here having largely run respectably whilst looking summed up by his mark in handicaps in recent months. Hood back on but he may have to settle for a minor role again here.

Form: 274475

(6)

Zainabb³⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 78| D

4/1

Capitalised on drop in class when off the mark at Catterick (7f, good to soft) in July and respectable effort when fourth of 12 in handicap at Southwell (7f) later that month. Each-way possibilities returned to turf from unchanged mark.

Form: 7-25814

(8)

Granger Bay¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Billy Loughnane| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 77

9/4

Displayed promise in novice company and ran his best race yet despite again hanging left under pressure when second of 4 on handicap debut at Newmarket (7f, soft) 13 days ago (Love Billy Boy placed third). Remains early days and he could yet have more to offer.

Form: 2-832

Non-Runners

(4)

Usuario Amigo¹⁴

Weight: 9-10| Age: 3

T: James Owen J: W Buick

(1)

Savvy Warrior⁴⁴

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: S Woods J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Granger Bay (9/4), Pedro Valentino (11/4), Zainabb (4/1), Savvy Warrior (11/2), Usuario Amigo (7/1), Lessay (17/2), Smart Vision (17/2), Love Billy Boy (14/1), Jimmy Speaking (14/1)

PEDRO VALENTINO has gone from strength-to-strength since the cheekpieces were applied, making it 2 wins from his last 3 starts with a game display at Yarmouth 6 weeks ago. He earns the vote to defy the handicapper again and come out on top. Savvy Warrior at the foot of the weights is another of firm interest and he, along with Usuario Amigo, look the chief threats.