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Balmoral Handicap - Form Comments

14/10/2016

1600m – Turf

1

GM Hopkins

Has plenty of positive experience over Ascot's straight 1600m including a defeat of a huge field in a prestigious Royal Ascot handicap last year. However apart from an early season win - here - he has not been at his best in 2016.

2

Tullius

This veteran's last 20 starts have been in Group or Listed company (including an Epsom G3 win over 1704m in June) and interesting to see him suddenly back in handicap company - with a big weight. He ran a good second last time out.

3

Firmament

Has suffered narrow defeats in two handicaps over 1400m here at Ascot in his last two starts, unlucky the first time and only nailed in the last strides more recently. Now 12lb above his last winning mark but in form and proven in big fields.

4

Master The World

Has won just three of his 30 starts and his two most recent runs have also been disappointing. More positively he did run one of his best races when third in this event last year.

5

Here Comes When

A six times winner who seems best on a soft surface. He has taken on strong Group/Listed race opposition in his time so his handicap rating makes life difficult though he did come from the rear to win a 4-runner conditions race last time.

6

Bronze Angel

Landed a surprise victory in this event in 2014, beating 26 rivals on ground much softer than he was thought to appreciate. However on that occasion he arrived at Ascot after good previous starts which is not the case here.

7

Chil The Kite

No encouragement from his last three starts, nor from the fact that he was well beaten in this race last year. On his day he is very good indeed, but those big runs happen rarely these days.

8

Emell

Has failed to win any of his last 22 starts though he did run a solid second here at Ascot - on the round course - back in August. Not an obvious candidate for the winners' money this time.

9

Sea Wolf

Now trained in Ireland and he arrives here off in a victory in a prestigious handicap at The Curragh in August, showing a good attitude to beat 23 rivals over 1600m. He must race off a 7lb higher mark after that career-best effort.

10

Morando

This three-year-old is having just his fifth start but is very progressive according to the figures. Last month he returned from a break to thrash 13 rivals in a 1600m Ayr handicap. He could be a Group horse in which case he is still  favourably handicapped.

11

Dream Walker

A nine-times winner with plenty of success over this distance and on a slow surface. His only previous run at Ascot was in this event in 2014 when he made no impact but he's been running pretty well lately.

12

Yuften

Has had a volatile career and is now on his third trainer. However he was held in high regard in his early years and finished second in a G1 at Chantilly before disqualification back in 2014. An eye-catching fourth when returning from a break last time.

13

Third Time Lucky

His last two starts have been full of promise notably when fourth of 31 in a prestigious Newmarket handicap over 1800m last time. Softening ground will make him a serious contender.

14

Highland Colori

Ended a losing run of 29 when beating 18 rivals in a 1600m handicap at York recently. The first-time blinkers seemed to have concentrated his mind there whilst slow ground suits him well.

15

Instant Attraction

Without a win in his last 13 starts though there have been some encouraging efforts over this sort of distance and on soft ground. He's tough and seems to always do his best though disappointing last time.

16

Donncha

A solid fourth in this event last year especially as he did best of the group that raced towards the nearside. A big horse who appreciates slow ground, he looked to find the 1400m here last time just too short.

17

Remarkable

Twice a winner over 1200m and 1400m earlier this year. Since then he has twice run quite well over 1400m here at Ascot and, although only 12th in a handicap here last time, he wasn't beaten far. He needs to prove himself over this testing 1600m.

18

Mutarakez

Has had an interrupted career, but has looked very promising and has won three of his six starts. However he has raced just once this season when 11th of 22 in a prestigious 1600m handicap at Doncaster back in April, hanging badly. Hard to assess.

19

Zhui Feng

Beaten nearly 10L on his only previous start over the straight 1600m at Ascot but since that run earlier this year he has won a 1975m handicap at Goodwood. His current handicap mark looks challenging.

20

Afjaan

In a strong handicap over 1400m here last time he ran an encouraging seventh considering that he had to make his challenge very wide. Proven at this longer trip and lightly raced so there may still be some upside to him.

 

Reserves

 

21

Silent Attack

A lightly-raced gelding who still seems to be progressive. Although beaten as a hot favourite in a G2 over 1600m in Turkey last month he probably would have won that valuable event had he not raced too keenly and veered off a straight line.

22

Dutch Law

Drying ground will help as all his four wins have come on a quick surface. However he didn't run at all badly on soft ground over 1400m last time. His stable won the big handicap at Newmarket last Saturday.

23

Dinkum Diamond

Without a win despite quite a busy 2016 campaign. He was making some good late headway when third of 19 in a 1600m York handicap last week, but this small horse may find Ascot's demanding straight 1600m a bit too much. 

 

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