ASCOT SATURDAY
2:45 CUNARD HANDICAP 7F
We were with Firmament when he was a creditable fifth in the International Stakes over this course and distance in July, and he again showed that he is a much more potent force in big-field handicaps than in tactically run races when finishing a two-length third of 17 to Flaming Spear at York last time. Further rain would boost his chances as one of the few in the field who handles testing ground really well, and while his handicap mark means he needs to post a pattern-class performance to win, he regularly shows that such a performance is within his capabilities.
Dangers abound, as is the norm in races like this, but Mjjack is feared most, testing conditions clearly important to him, and he was ahead of the selection in the International, albeit enjoying the run of the race. He’s lightly raced enough to believe he could improve again, and with his best run coming over track and trip, it can be assumed that he’s been set aside for this.
3:20 RITZ CLUB EBF ‘BREEDERS SERIES’ FILLIES’ HANDICAP 1M
The form of the International Stakes gets another test here with Havre De Paix looking to get back to winning ways after a highly respectable seventh behind Stamp Hill here on her latest start. David Menuisier’s filly has two shocking efforts on her card, both of which have come on quick ground, and it appears she is uncomfortable when unable to get her toe in.
She’s run very well on ground on the easy side of good, and promises to be well suited by the softest ground she’s faced here. She also hails from a yard quickly garnering a reputation, as might be expected from someone who served as assistant to both Criquette Head-Maarek and John Dunlop, and the form of the Menuisier horses has been well advertised recently, with Thundering Blue an impressive winner at Sandown last weekend.
Havre De Paix was an excellent second to Mittens over course and distance on her penultimate outing, and that race looks even stronger in retrospect for all the winner hasn’t yet gone on as expected. Both Tirania and Alexandrakollontai, readily held behind Mittens, came out to win competitive handicaps on their next starts, while most of those to run again have done so in a way which suggests the contest was both warm and reliable in form terms.
The one worry with the selection is the possibility of an overly-strong pace which she could easily get caught up in. If that scenario were to materialise, then Seduce Me would enter calculations at a price. Karl Burke’s filly has been running in small-field events, but her third to Titi Makfi at Newmarket last time represents a career-best, and the winner has franked the form despite being beaten on the nod at York’s Ebor meeting.
Seduce Me may actually be helped by running in a bigger field, particularly with the prospect of a strong pace to aim at, and she’s worthy of a saver.
3:55 APPLETISER STAKES 1M 3F 211Y
Torcello is thoroughly unexposed and made a big impression when rallying late to regain the lead at Newmarket on his handicap debut, relishing the rising ground having been outpaced briefly on the run through the dip. It’s not clear whether he was uncomfortable on the quickish ground or simply caught out by the sharpness of the test, but whatever the reason, he hit the line hard, and will relish a stiffer test which he gets here.
Andrew Balding’s son of Born To Sea is a strapping sort open to plenty of further improvement, and while his lack of experience in competitive handicaps is a concern, his attitude and scope for improvement easily outweigh such concerns. He looks a really good prospect going forward, and time will surely tell that his opening mark was a lenient one.
Anythingtoday split subsequent winners when third at Newmarket on his penultimate start, and again ran a cracker when second at Goodwood next time. He’s yet to tackle this trip, but like Torcello, gives the impression that he would improve again for the stiffer test. The gelding handles all ground and has been transformed since fitted with headgear. He continues to thrive, has reportedly had this as his target for some time, and will go well if Josephine Gordon can extricate him from a tricky draw next to the fence, which can be a major hindrance on Ascot’s round course.
HAYDOCK SATURDAY
2:25 32Red SPRINT CUP STAKES (Group 1) 6F
Much has been made of the softening ground in regard to the chances of Harry Angel winning the Sprint Cup, but the notion that he’s a fast-ground performer is a wholly spurious one, especially when considering how impressive he was when winning the Mill Reef Stakes on rain-softened terrain last autumn.
He’s had a programme of races mapped out for him by Clive Cox, which happen to have coincided with fast ground on occasions, and he has risen to the occasion, with the July Cup representing his pinnacle in terms of prestige, but not form, and it’s dangerous to draw firm conclusions from the Newmarket race other than to say that he looked much more professional under a degree of restraint than he had done previously.
He’s unbeaten away from Ascot, and his demolition of a useful field in the Sandy Lane Stakes over course and distance in the spring was the mark of a champion in the making. He can shrug aside concerns about soft ground by winning this in style.
3:00 32Red BE FRIENDLY HANDICAP 5F
Soie d’Leau has looked as good as ever this year, but a rare and forgivable lapse at Chester last time sees him attempting back-to-back wins in this contest from a mark 3lb lower than 12 months ago. Kristin Stubbs is likely to have her stable star back to his best for this, and with conditions akin to last year’s he’s taken to break a losing run.
RECOMMENDED
FIRMAMENT 2:45 ASCOT - 1pt e/w @ 12/1 (SkyBet, BetVictor)
HAVRE DE PAIX 3:20 ASCOT - 1pt win @ 8/1
SEDUCE ME 3:20 ASCOT - 0.5pt e/w @ 12/1
TORCELLO 3:55 ASCOT - 2pts win @ 11/1 (SkyBet, BetVictor)
SOIE D’LEAU 3:00 HAYDOCK - 1pt win @ 8/1 (general)