Racecards
15:25 Ascot
Turftv Handicap (Class 4)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- £6,000 added
Kanaf (IRE)
29- Form 3-1342
- Age 3
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 81
- Trainer E A L Dunlop
- Jockey R Hills
dwelt in rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on final furlong, never nearer
- Form 0-4321
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 78
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey T P O'Shea
keen tracked leaders, ridden halfway, weakened over 1f out
Dungannon
46- Form 5-513
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 75
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey J Fortune
tracked leaders, ridden over 1f out, led and soon pressed inside final furlong, headed towards finish
- Form 4-84021
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 74
went right start, held up in rear, ridden and headway over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong
- Form 458-935
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 71
led, headed halfway, ridden and weakened 1f out
- Form 86-3183
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 67
with leader, led halfway, ridden over 1f out, headed and kept on inside final furlong
- Form 44-0016
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Official Rating 67
held up in touch, effort over 1f out, ridden and stayed to lead towards finish
- Form 173156
- Age 3
- Weight 8-6
- Official Rating 66
- Trainer J J Bridger
- Jockey Declan Cannon
tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
This is tight but conditions appear to favour KANAF and he can score the expense of Pin Cushion and Alkhataaf. Ed Dunlop's gelding was unable to take advantage of the plum draw at Doncaster having received a bump early, so he deserves credit for recovering into second. The handicapper hasn't gone overboard with a 1lb rise and he still looks competitively treated in a race that doesn't look any stronger. We learnt little about Pin Cushion during her Ffos Las demolition but this step back up to six furlongs should suit and her confidence will surely have been boosted. With her handicap mark unchanged Brian Meehan's filly is closely matched with Kanaf on a line through that one's conqueror last time and is a likely threat along with Alkhataaf. The last-named beat a horse with a questionable attitude at Doncaster but had previously placed in a strong handicap so, like Pin Cushion, will surely feature in this race having got his head in front; his maiden third behind Flambeau reads particularly well. Dungannon represents last year's winning connections and, while the race he took third in last time has been boosted by the winner's exploits more than once, this is tougher and he was ultimately well held. Kings 'n Dreams beat a subsequent winner at Nottingham but probably needs cut to slow the others down over this trip and a 5lb rise makes life much more difficult now he's upped in grade, while in contrast Erebus wants genuine fast ground and looks weighted to his best. This is a fascinating handicap that may just go to Kanaf ahead of Pin Cushion.
Formwatch
Kanaf (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Not much room start, behind when switched left to outside after 1f, soon in touch, challenged 2f out, every chance 1f out, ridden and kept on to chase winner inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Kakapuka (9-0) at Doncaster 6f 3yo hcp 0-85 (4) gf in Jun.
Alkhataaf (USA) 11-10 (9-3) Tracked leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, upsides and carried left inside final furlong, kept on gamely to lead towards finish, won at Doncaster 6f mdn stks (5) gd in Jun beating Engulf (9-3) by shd, 5 ran.
Dungannon 6-1 (9-7) Soon off the pace in 6th, ridden and headway on outside 2f out, went 3rd entering final furlong, no impression on leading duo, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Dever Dream (9-10) at Kempton 6f 3yo hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jun.
Kings 'n Dreams 11-2 (9-6) Held up, carried left over 4f out, not clear run over 2f out, headway soon after, led and hung right from over 1f out, ran on, won at Nottingham 6f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gs beating Grand Zafeen (9-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Perfect Ch'i (IRE) 11-2 (8-13) Off the pace in 4th, closed over 3f out, outpaced by leaders over 1f out, 5th of 6, 5l behind Mejd (9-9) at Chester 1m 3yo app hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Erebus (IRE) 10-1 (8-13) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Jimmy The Poacher (9-6) at Leicester 6f hcp 0-70 (5) gf.
Slip Sliding Away (IRE) 11-4 (8-6) Dwelt, held up in rear, pushed along over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, never dangerous, 6th of 7, 4l behind Spanish Acclaim (8-9) at Warwick 6f 3yo hcp 0-80 (4) gf.
Avow (USA) 33-1 (9-0) Chased leader, ridden to challenge over 1f out, hung right and weakened inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 6l behind Simple Rhythm (8-4) at Kempton 6f app hcp 0-75 (5) pol in Jun.
Amary (IRE) 66-1 (8-6) Chased leader, ridden over 2f out, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 14l behind First City (9-13) at Newbury 1m fll hcp (2) gd.
Pin Cushion 3-10fav (8-12) Made all, nudged clear entering final furlong, unchallenged, very easy, won at Ffos Las 6f 3yo fll stks (5) gf beating Admirable Duchess (8-7) by 6l, 5 ran.