May 12 / 16.10 Ascot

16.10

Soft

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Handicap

  • Prize money: £10800
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
SKY
View Course
Peroni Nastro Azzurro Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £2.63
  • Place: £1.20

Form: 130/61 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Useful 2yo before finishing last in the Gimcrack and meeting with a setback; seemingly all the better for his belated comeback run in January on the AW, he overcame a troubled passage to lead on the line at Newmarket (6f, good to soft; unraced on softer); remains unexposed and, off just 4lb higher, he's of strong interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

(14)

6th Sep 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:25 Ascot

Orazio

9st 11lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: Charles Hills

Looked the proverbial Group horse in a handicap when sauntering to success over C&D in May 2023 on soft ground; more bad days than good since then but flashes last season that he was still a top-notch sprinter on his day, as when third in the Wokingham off a 6lb higher mark than today's; no better than midfield in two feature handicaps this summer but he didn't run too badly at Goodwood and he has too much ability to discount under these conditions.

16/1

14

(3)

2nd Aug 2025

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:05 Goodwood

Orazio

9st 2lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Charles Hills

Has let his supporters down in a host of top handicaps since looking to have the sprinting scene at his mercy in early 2023; has run to form only sporadically in the last two years but his good days are still very good, as when third in last season's Wokingham off a 3lb higher mark; never threatened in this year's Wokingham but it was after an absence and better can be expected this afternoon; stable won this in 2015 and 2019.

25/1

17th

15

(26)

21st Jun 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Orazio

9st 2lb

J: Saffie Osborne

T: Charles Hills

Made a very bright start to his handicap career when winning twice in the spring of 2023 before a never-nearer sixth of 27 in this race; maddeningly in and out since but he was nevertheless an excellent close third in this (good to firm) under Saffie Osborne 12 months ago and the lack of a recent run isn't necessarily a drawback; no surprise to see his grey head loom up late.

14/1

7/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 42/954 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

8 yo Horse

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Dual winner (non-handicaps on soft) who has improved with each run this season and did well to finish fourth of 15 at Newbury (6f, soft) after rearing at the start (plenty to do even 2f out); not your typical 8yo with only 12 starts behind him; shortlisted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(2)

22nd Jul 2023

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

19:45 Doncaster

Sir Thomas Gresham

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Seamus Durack

Off a whopping 1252 days before his reappearance but this 8yo retains all his ability, finishing second in 6f handicaps at Ascot (soft) and Newbury (good) in May; fine at 7f and high on the shortlist with Billy Loughnane taking 3lb off.

6/1

2nd

2

(16)

20th May 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

17:18 Newbury

Sir Thomas Gresham

9st 9lb

J: Sam Hitchcott

T: Seamus Durack

prominent, led 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on final furlong, headed towards finish

8/1

2nd

8

(4)

12th May 2023

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Sir Thomas Gresham

9st 2lb

J: Sam Hitchcott

T: Seamus Durack

Dual winner (non-handicaps on soft) who has improved with each run this season and did well to finish fourth of 15 at Newbury (6f, soft) after rearing at the start (plenty to do even 2f out); not your typical 8yo with only 12 starts behind him; shortlisted.

7/1

8/1

  • Place: £4.10

Form: -89242

Last run: 62 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 91

Form & Verdict
Both wins have come on the AW and, not only is he 0-8 on grass, but has mostly steered clear of softish ground; was finishing runner-up for a tenth time when running well at Wolverhampton (6f) two months ago and may be vulnerable once more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(14)

15th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

13:50 Newmarket

Baldomero

8st 13lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Michael Appleby

Three wins during his latest spell on AW; close second to Dark Thirty in this contest two years ago but needs to rebound, having been comfortably held returned to turf 17 days ago.

33/1

16/1

Form: 3400-0 D

Last run: 40 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Multiple winner who often leads; does have form on soft but seems to prefer quicker conditions these days and his reappearance (on soft) at Doncaster in April was forgettable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(8)

3rd Sep 2024

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 5

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Able Kane

9st 11lb

J: Ross Coakley

T: Rod Millman

Has come a stone down the weights this year and been expensive to follow lately; this is easier than he's used to, on his Tapeta debut, as the tongue-tie comes off and blinkers go back on, and a revival wouldn't be a shock.

4/1

8th

6

(15)

16th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Newbury

Able Kane

9st 9lb

J: Daniel Tudhope

T: Rod Millman

Without a win since Newmarket last June when 10lb higher in the ratings; had some off-days in the meantime and stopped quickly at Ascot a month ago.

9/1

12th

2

(17)

13th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

17:17 Ascot

Able Kane

9st 13lb

J: Oliver Searle

T: Rod Millman

Eight wins, the latest at Newmarket last summer (7f, good to soft) coming off 8lb higher; had some off-days in the meantime but last two efforts on ground that would have been on the fast side weren't too shoddy.

5/1

Form: 061/0- CD

Last run: 377 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Horse

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
6f specialist and unbeaten in two previous visits to this track (good to soft both times; won his novice on soft), including for his final success in October 2021 off this very mark; made a quiet debut for this yard at Newmarket last April after 211 days away and now returns from another absence; needs to be as good as he was but has a decent record fresh and could be interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(3)

12th May 2023

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

16:10 Ascot

Bickerstaffe

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Roger Teal

6f specialist and unbeaten in two previous visits to this track (good to soft both times; won his novice on soft), including for his final success in October 2021 off this very mark; made a quiet debut for this yard at Newmarket last April after 211 days away and now returns from another absence; needs to be as good as he was but has a decent record fresh and could be interesting.

14/1

Form: 5011-4 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
With cheekpieces back on he won his final two starts of last season, over 6f on good to soft and heavy; perhaps needed it when unable to bring up the hat-trick at Doncaster (soft) but the returning visor (seventh when tried once before) isn't an obvious positive.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(1)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Sterling Knight

9st 4lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

Versatile regarding ground and he was winning his 12th race when beating Jimmy Speaking and Final Night at Newmarket (1m, good) three weeks ago; that was a comfortable win and he has the assistance of Ryan Moore but this demands more from him (has never won off a mark this high).

14/1

1st

1

(11)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Newmarket

Sterling Knight

9st 11lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Ed Dunlop

Having dropped 1lb below his last winning mark he returned to form when third of 13 over C&D a fortnight ago (good to firm; Final Night second); he can be in the mix back up 1lb if backing up that latest performance.

8/1

3rd

8

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:55 Newmarket

Sterling Knight

9st 8lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

Fine stable servant with 11 wins to his name, although recent efforts have been underwhelming; only seventh of ten at the Craven meeting here and he needs to be revived by the presence of Ryan Moore in the saddle.

18/1

Form: 36-832 D

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 2lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Knows what these 6f handicaps are all about and he's in form, having finished close up behind Orazio at Newmarket before producing something very similar on last week's return there (in first-time cheekpieces; again good to soft); solid chance on ground he handles.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(4)

2nd May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Goodwood

Chairmanoftheboard

9st 5lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Jack Channon

Finally exploited his drop in the weights when winning a C&D handicap last October (heavy ground); should come on for March's return to action at Doncaster and while slower ground would be ideal, he did run well in a fast-ground Stewards' Cup in 2020.

13/2

4

(4)

2nd May 2025

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:45 Goodwood

Chairmanoftheboard

9st 5lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Jack Channon

Finally exploited his drop in the weights when winning a C&D handicap last October (heavy ground); should come on for March's return to action at Doncaster and while slower ground would be ideal, he did run well in a fast-ground Stewards' Cup in 2020.

13/2

15th

18

(14)

30th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

0m 6f 2y

Class 3

15:40 Doncaster

Chairmanoftheboard

8st 13lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Jack Channon

Absent since prevailing narrowly on heavy ground at Goodwood in October, ending a three-year losing spell; not an obvious type to follow up, especially as his record in this race (three attempts) is modest.

20/1

12/1

Form: 814-30 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 4lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Front-runner who probably went off a bit too hot for his own good before dropping right out at Newbury (6f, soft), having previously shaped so well on his comeback run; never easy making all on the straight course here but conditions will be up his street.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

6

(7)

20th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Marshal Dan

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Heather Main

steadied start, in rear

14/1

10th

9

(9)

9th Dec 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 14y

Class 2

18:15 Newcastle (AW)

Marshal Dan

9st 4lb

J: Gina Mangan

T: Heather Main

keen to post, in touch with leaders

16/1

7th

1

(16)

4th Nov 2023

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:57 Newmarket

Marshal Dan

10st 0lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Heather Main

Finished third of 15 in the 2018 running; has had a stop-start year but testing conditions suit and he looked in good form when a ready winner from Hodler at Leicester 18 days ago (7f, soft; first-time cheekpieces, retained); back up 5lb; one of the more likely ones.

8/1

OUR TIP

10/1

Form: 076-90 CD

Last run: 6 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Plenty of good runs in defeat since last successful in September 2021 (over C&D on fast ground), though not this season in finishing down the field at Newbury (soft) and Newmarket (good to soft); becoming well handicapped but ground this soft is too big a worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2

(15)

5th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 113y

Class 2

16:40 Epsom

Popmaster

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Ed Walker

Seven wins include three on good to soft/soft; also won on AW at Kempton (1m) in February but only midfield in valuable events at Newcastle (AW) and Ascot (good) on his last two starts; however, latter effort was better than it looks having been poorly drawn.

33/1

15th

7

(2)

9th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:20 Ascot

Popmaster

9st 7lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Ed Walker

Campaigned on AW since December, proving consistent until coming up a tad short on finals day last time; has loads of Ascot form but three defeats in this race (finishing positions 074) suggest he can be opposed, especially now aged eight.

33/1

7th

4

(2)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Popmaster

9st 2lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Ed Walker

Arrives in fine form, beating The Lost King at Kempton in February and runner-up on his two runs since; sneaking back up the weights and he was only fifth in this race 12 months ago off today's mark.

20/1

Form: 360-40 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Winless since his 2yo days but is on a workable mark and, after running nicely in a big field at Doncaster (soft) on reappearance, something was presumably amiss when running no race at Newbury; not discounted.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14th

5

(1)

22nd Aug 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

20:15 Newcastle (AW)

Gisburn

9st 10lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Few chances on AW but he ran well over C&D in November off 3lb higher; returned to winning ways in a Racing League handicap at Chepstow two weeks ago (6f, good to soft); respected despite a 4lb rise and his draw in stall 1.

10/1

1st

1

(4)

8th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 16y

Class 4

18:30 Chepstow

Gisburn

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Richard Hannon

He's had a mixed campaign but has shown spark on occasions and was stretched by 7f last time; now below last winning mark and he's not ruled out.

7/1

12th

3

(13)

12th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:45 Newmarket (July)

Gisburn

9st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Richard Hannon

Much better known as a sprinter but has form over 7f; now 3lb lower than when placed at Goodwood (6f, heavy) in May and his more recent efforts were perfectly respectable; back up in trip with William Buick up; a possible.

8/1

Non-runners

Popmaster, Gisburn

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £12.20
Straight Forecast £12.35
Tricast £279.92
Trifecta £139.60

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Orazio

POSTDATA:

Chairmanoftheboard

SPOTLIGHT:

Bickerstaffe

TOPSPEED:

Able Kane

NEWMARKET:

Sterling Knight

The Star:

Sir Thomas Gresham

LAMBOURN:

Orazio

The Times:

Orazio

Daily Mail:

Orazio

D Express:

Orazio

Daily Record:

Orazio

Telegraph:

Bickerstaffe

WEST COUNTRY:

Able Kane

The Guardian:

Chairmanoftheboard

Daily Mirror:

Chairmanoftheboard