May 13 / 13.30 Ascot

13.30

Soft

Peroni Nastro Azzurro Handicap

  • Prize money: £10800
  • 1m 3f 211y
  • Class 3
  • 10 runners
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Peroni Nastro Azzurro Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

12/1 (Won)

  • Win: £12.00
  • Place: £2.80

Form: 14399-

Last run: 218 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
Won at Chester last July; in the frame at Goodwood (1m3f) and Ascot (1m4f) on next two starts but fared far less well in two hot races afterwards; gelded since; unraced this year or in any race on softer than good, so he has some big questions to answer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(3)

13th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:07 Ascot

Sheer Rocks

9st 3lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Gelded before 1m4f wins at Ascot (soft) and Epsom (good to firm; comfortably) on first two starts last season; close fifth at Haydock that July but not seen again until 50-1 at Royal Ascot three weeks ago, mustering some late headway into mid-division; could be a lot more interesting this time.

16/1

10th

19

(9)

21st Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:25 Ascot

Sheer Rocks

9st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

reared start, in rear, short of room 2f out, soon outpaced, rallied final furlong

20/1

12/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 03349- D

Last run: 213 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
It was his reappearance when he won at Lingfield (1m5f) one year ago off today's mark; good second over 1m6f on soft the following month, so he's one of the most likely to give his running under today's conditions if he's tuned up like he was at same juncture last year; player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(5)

1st Nov 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 4

19:15 Kempton (AW)

Ravens Ark

9st 10lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Hughie Morrison

blindfold off late and dwelt start, towards rear

14/1

4th

4

(5)

1st Oct 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:25 Epsom

Ravens Ark

9st 9lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Hughie Morrison

Fourth in this 12 months ago off 4lb higher; started this campaign with two good seconds (1m4f/1m6f) but has been tailed off the last twice on good and soft ground; now has more to prove than some of these.

9/1

6th

8

(3)

26th Aug 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

16:55 Goodwood

Ravens Ark

9st 4lb

J: James Doyle

T: Hughie Morrison

Three seconds and two thirds from his six runs at Goodwood; no win since May 2022 but good second at Ascot (1m4f) and Goodwood (1m6f; alongside Vaynor) in his first two appearances this season, before something seemed amiss at Newmarket six weeks ago; has a competitive mark if straight back to form and the cheekpieces (which received a positive initial response when fitted in the last two seasons) get their first airing this term.

13/2

4/1

  • Place: £1.40

Form: 52-201 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Good second on heavy going last October and he twice ran well on soft last month, winning at Epsom (1m4f) on latest outing; raised 4lb but should be seriously involved again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(2)

22nd Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

16:30 Ripon

Sir Rumi

9st 10lb

J: Owen Lewis

T: Richard Hannon

stumbled start, pushed along briefly soon after start, raced in last

11/2

12th

9

(14)

8th Jul 2023

Good

1m 3f 175y

Class 2

15:15 Haydock

Sir Rumi

9st 1lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Richard Hannon

Won at Epsom (1m4f, soft) in April and good third at Ascot (1m4f, soft) next time; conditions should have been fine at Goodwood (1m6f, good to firm) last time but he was only sixth of eight and may find this too hot.

14/1

6th

5

(5)

27th May 2023

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:10 Goodwood

Sir Rumi

8st 13lb

J: Pat Dobbs

T: Richard Hannon

Grabbed the favoured stand rail when winning on soft ground at Epsom and a 4lb rise seemed to find him out at Ascot (again 1m4f on soft); may be vulnerable once more, though this faster surface won't faze him.

13/2

Form: 0/03-6 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 8lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Acts on soft, probably on heavy; off 360 days before below form at Epsom 18 days ago, but that was only 1m2f and he was on song for his second start last season; well handicapped if the same happens this time.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(8)

5th Jun 2024

Good

1m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:57 Nottingham

Rhythmic Intent

9st 9lb

J: Richard Kingscote

T: Stuart Williams

The lack of any win since 2021 sees him down to his lowest mark since handicap debut in 2019; stacks of form from 2023 gives him a big chance in theory and he wasn't far away in February three starts ago; while hard to dismiss, it's also hard to make him the percentage call.

7/1

5th

11

(1)

11th May 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 3

13:30 Ascot

Rhythmic Intent

9st 0lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Stuart Williams

Now a stone below last winning mark; however, he's far from solid on 2024 AW form and losing spell goes back to 2021; by no means certain to take advantage of the drop in weights.

25/1

Form: 42140-

Last run: 189 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Upped to 1m6f, first headgear and first run on softer than good when he got up late on in a valuable handicap at Haydock (soft) last July; went as if he possibly needed the race in October when next seen and always behind in the November Handicap at Doncaster (1m4f, heavy) on final outing; headgear is removed; rather mixed messages but he's respected on that win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

14:25 Redcar

Nathanael Greene

9st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Alastair Ralph

Useful back in the day but has lost his way under both codes and is very opposable at the minute.

25/1

1

(7)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

14:25 Redcar

Nathanael Greene

9st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Alastair Ralph

Useful back in the day but has lost his way under both codes and is very opposable at the minute.

25/1

1

(7)

4th Nov 2025

Good To Soft

1m 5f 218y

Class 5

14:25 Redcar

Nathanael Greene

9st 12lb

J: Cam Hardie

T: Alastair Ralph

Useful back in the day but has lost his way under both codes and is very opposable at the minute.

25/1

OUR TIP

5/1

Form: 361/2-

Last run: 396 days

W: 9st 4lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Big improvement on final 2yo start, relishing the step up to 1m1f when scoring by 5l in a nursery at Newmarket; raced rather freely, quickened clear but wandered to his left when pipped over 1m2f there (again on good ground) in April on his sole appearance last year, prior to being gelded, changing hands and leaving Ralph Beckett; could still be capable of better if all is well, and there is stamina in the family; needs a close look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

5

20th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 0y

Class 3

17:00 Warwick

High Fibre

11st 9lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Harry Fry

At his best as a hurdler when gaining his second win in this sphere, at Kempton (2m, good) in March; touched off at Ludlow next time but below his best up in trip at Plumpton (2m4f, good) last month; ridden on four of last five starts by Ciaran O'Shea; back to 2m and needs to return to form.

5/1

5th

8

6th Apr 2026

Good

2m 4f 116y

Class 3

15:45 Plumpton

High Fibre

11st 4lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Harry Fry

Began to look exposed in the second half of last year but he showed improved form to win at Kempton (2m, good) on March 23 and was short-headed at Ludlow (2m, good) last Monday; he should be fine now back up in trip and could again be thereabouts.

11/2

2nd

6

30th Mar 2026

Good

1m 7f 169y

Class 4

16:27 Ludlow

High Fibre

11st 1lb

J: Ciaran O’Shea

T: Harry Fry

Classy on the Flat back in the day; it had been a struggle in handicaps this season but, back from a break and dropped in grade, he won readily enough under Ciaran O'Shea at Kempton (2m, good) last week; escapes a penalty.

15/8

16/1

Form: 6-9040

Last run: 70 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
With a new trainer (his third) this year and below his best in four runs at Meydan, admittedly way out of his depth on final occasion; this trip should be okay and he ran well on sole start on good to soft, unraced on worse; needs a repeat of his peak form, at the least.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Green Team

10st 7lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Nick Littmoden

A three-time winner (including over C&D) in 2025 for Ian Williams; in good nick for his present yard too, fourth of eight in 1m3f Southwell handicap eight days ago; not out of things.

12/1

4th

4

(7)

21st May 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:23 Southwell (AW)

Green Team

10st 8lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Nick Littmoden

On the downgrade in recent times for Ian Williams, from whom he was picked up for 7,500gns last month; just a fair debut for his new yard recently and this trip is a bare minimum these days.

12/1

4th

4

(9)

11th May 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Green Team

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Nick Littmoden

On the downgrade in recent times for Ian Williams, from whom he was picked up for 7,500gns last month, his latest second coming in a messy, small-field affair; decent record here, though, and is one to consider under regular partner Billy Loughnane.

7/1

11/2

Form: 3068-4 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 88

Form & Verdict
Fourth of 19 at Royal Ascot (1m4f) off 2lb higher on handicap debut; very in and out in his four races since, for instance tailed off on heavy going (his only race on softer than good) on final 3yo start but good fourth at Kempton (1m3f, AW) on last month's reappearance; wore cheekpieces on final three runs last term; competitive if it's one of his good days.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(13)

15th Nov 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Savvy Knight

9st 9lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: S Woods

slowly into stride, soon prominent, raced wide early, switched right and went second with one circuit to go

6/1

11th

3

(10)

6th Nov 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 2

16:00 Kempton (AW)

Savvy Knight

9st 2lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: S Woods

Won a 1m4f handicap here in June off 2lb lower and suffered a narrow defeat at Newcastle one month later; wasn't at his best at Newcastle last month and unlikely to get things all his own way in this field.

10/1

5th

1

(1)

2nd Oct 2023

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 3

18:00 Newcastle (AW)

Savvy Knight

10st 2lb

J: Darragh Keenan

T: S Woods

Very patchy since winning his first three last season; has claims on July's C&D second (Chillhi fourth) but was always well placed in a messy affair that day and has since bombed on turf; hard to know what to expect in truth.

6/1

Form: 037-50

Last run: 35 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Peak efforts suggest this mark is manageable but he's spent most of his career on AW and his good run over C&D last August was on good to firm; has not fired on either start this season (AW and good to soft, unraced on worse) and others look more solid.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

19th

8

(1)

23rd Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Onesmoothoperator

9st 8lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Won the 2024 Northumberland Plate (2m, AW) and also a Group 3 handicap in Australia (1m4f, good) last October; usually held up and he came from the back when seventh of 20 in this race last year; whether he's well enough handicapped to win this time round remains to be seen but he's shown enough in his two British starts this summer to demand each-way respect.

28/1

4th

3

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Good

1m 5f 188y

Class 1

15:45 York

Onesmoothoperator

9st 0lb

J: Ben Robinson

T: Brian Ellison

Won last season's Northumberland Plate (2m, AW) and also a Group 3 handicap in Australia (1m4f, good) last October; some fair efforts in Meydan earlier this year, and also in the Northumberland Plate a fortnight ago following a break, but he needs to raise his game to take this.

12/1

8th

1

(7)

28th Jun 2025

Standard

2m 0f 56y

Class 2

15:15 Newcastle (AW)

Onesmoothoperator

9st 12lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Brian Ellison

Usually runs well at Newcastle, where he won this race last year in good style; took a big prize in Australia last October and struck up a solid sequence over the winter; absent 119 days and 12lb higher than 12 months ago, which surely demands a career best, but needs respect.

10/1

Form: 81114- D

Last run: 216 days

W: 9st 5lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
While he's been beaten about 2l in two of his soft-ground handicaps, they weren't among his best form; in barnstorming form when blinkers were enlisted last season, winning on first three occasions and good fourth on final outing; the latter result suggests the handicapper may have caught up but he did win first time out last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(5)

20th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 17y

Class 5

19:10 Yarmouth

Saratoga Gold

9st 5lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Kevin Frost

Losing run stretches back to July 2023 but he ended 2025 in good form and his reappearance at Doncaster (1m4f, good to firm) 18 days ago was a positive one; stepping back up in distance is a positive but he could do with the ground drying out.

5/1

3rd

4

(2)

2nd May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 197y

Class 5

19:02 Doncaster

Saratoga Gold

9st 1lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Kevin Frost

Serial winner in his younger days but been dry in almost three years; does have a comeback spring victory to his name but all other wins came in the second half of the year and he may need this at his age back from five months off.

7/1

Non-runners

Onesmoothoperator, Saratoga Gold

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £100.90
Straight Forecast £98.68
Tricast £370.03
Trifecta £490.20

Selections

POSTDATA:

Sir Rumi

WEST COUNTRY:

High Fibre

SPOTLIGHT:

Ravens Ark

NEWMARKET:

Savvy Knight

TOPSPEED:

Green Team

LAMBOURN:

Saratoga Gold

The Times:

High Fibre

Telegraph:

High Fibre

The Guardian:

High Fibre

D Express:

High Fibre

Daily Mail:

Sir Rumi

Daily Mirror:

Sir Rumi

The Sun:

Sir Rumi

The Star:

Sir Rumi

Daily Record:

Sir Rumi

RP RATINGS:

Ravens Ark