Royal Ascot Winning Breeders' Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 2m 31.87s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

King's Code^v²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Phoebe Edwards⁽⁷⁾| T: P D Evans| OR: 91

28/1

Resumed winning ways in emphatic fashion at Pontefract in April, but hasn't really threatened in 5 subsequent starts and looks vulnerable under topweight here.

Form: 153804

(4)

Assail²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: S De Sousa| T: D M Simcock| OR: 88| CD

7/2

Winning turf debut over C&D on this card 12 months ago before following up at Kempton in September. Well held on turf first 2 starts of this year, but didn't shape at all badly returned to Kempton last time and he's interesting back at this venue off a workable mark.

Form: 411-755

(6)

Dream Harder¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: W Buick| T: Ian Williams| OR: 88| D

7/2

Eased below last winning mark and duly capitalised from a good draw at Chester (12.3f, good) in May. Best to overlook recent spin back on the Roodee (stuck wide from the outset) and he's one to consider returned to this course (went close over C&D on sole previous visit here last summer).

Form: 308126

(3)

Pinhole^p1³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 98| BF

1/1

Frankel colt who built on debut promise when landing the odds in a 1m Southwell novice in December. Reappearance fourth behind subsequent dual Derby winner Lambourn in the Chester Vase was very encouraging and, though somewhat disappointing next time, he's of strong interest now handicapping.

Form: 51-48

(5)

Arqoob²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: James Doyle| T: L Wadham| OR: 86| D

9/1

Back in the winning groove at Kempton in March and best effort since when fourth of 8 in 1¼m Sandown handicap on penultimate start. Now 1 lb below his winning mark during the spring and couldn't rule out.

Form: 216048

Non-Runners

(2)

Ludo's Landing⁶

Weight: 9-4| Age: 5

T: C Johnston J: Jason Hart

Forecasts

Pinhole (1/1), Assail (7/2), Dream Harder (7/2), Arqoob (9/1), Ludo's Landing (14/1), King's Code (28/1)

It's probably worth trusting in the potential of the 3-y-o PINHOLE, who was never really in the hunt in the Queen's Vase at the Royal meeting here but, judged on his fourth in a Chester Group 3 won by none other than subsequent English/Irish Derby hero Lambourn during the spring, the Frankel colt could be on a good mark for this handicap debut. C&D winner Assail is feared most, but Dream Harder is also strongly respected with William Buick booked and Arqoob is hard to discount, too.