September 09 / 16.55 Ascot

16.55

Good

Fever-Tree Handicap

  • Prize money: £18039
  • 0m 6f 0y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
SKY
View Course
Fever-Tree Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

4/1 (Won)

  • Win: £4.50
  • Place: £1.70

Form: 383111 CD

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Better than ever of late, completing hat-trick of wins in Shergar Cup Sprint over C&D (good) four weeks ago; an 8lb rise looks fully justified, and, although today's forecast quicker ground is a possible concern (not at best on previous run on good to firm), he has plenty in his favour otherwise.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

13th

2

(23)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Goodwood

Dark Trooper

9st 12lb

J: James Doyle

T: A De Mieulle

Progressive 3yo for Ed Walker, reeling off a four-timer before running well in an Ascot Group 3 last October; didn't fire in Qatar earlier this year but he won well at Saint-Cloud in May (6f, soft) and turned in another fine handicap effort when second of 25 in the Wokingham at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm), making his challenge on the opposite side of the track to the winner; 3lb higher and this sharper track is not sure to play to his strengths.

6/1

2nd

10

(24)

22nd Jun 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:05 Ascot

Dark Trooper

9st 7lb

J: James Doyle

T: A De Mieulle

Found his trip when back at 6f in the second half of 2023, indifferent to the state of the ground when winning all four handicaps, including over C&D on good to firm; has left Ed Walker since but was at least as good as ever when winning a 6f conditions race at Saint-Cloud (soft) in May; has cards to play back here.

7/1

6th

7

(9)

7th Oct 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Ascot

Dark Trooper

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ed Walker

Acts on any ground; progressive 3yo who has completed a handicap four-timer since being dropped back to 6f and gained the last two wins at this venue; overall record is now 6-13; brings a very attractive profile to this first Group attempt and being 2-2 at Ascot is a bonus.

11/2

25/1

  • Place: £3.80

Form: 0-0360

Last run: 58 days

W: 9st 0lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 85

Form & Verdict
Sole win came in Bath novice (5f, good to firm) last summer; wasn't beaten far when sixth of 21 in the big 3yo handicap at York (6f, good to firm) in June, but he ran poorly at Newmarket next time and needs to bounce back after two months off.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(3)

9th Sep 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:55 Ascot

Redemption Time

9st 0lb

J: John Fahy

T: Clive Cox

Sole win came in Bath novice (5f, good to firm) last summer; wasn't beaten far when sixth of 21 in the big 3yo handicap at York (6f, good to firm) in June, but he ran poorly at Newmarket next time and needs to bounce back after two months off.

25/1

12th

12

(8)

13th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

15:00 Newmarket (July)

Redemption Time

8st 5lb

J: Ray Dawson

T: Clive Cox

slowly away

20/1

7/1

  • Place: £3.20

Form: 742251

Last run: 31 days

W: 8st 13lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Goes well with positive tactics and got off the mark after a gelding operation by making all in maiden at Bath (5.7f, good to soft; handles good to firm) last month; could be unexposed as a sprinter (campaigned at 7f/1m earlier in career) and he needs serious consideration back in a handicap.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

5

(3)

23rd Sep 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:25 Newmarket

Bussento

9st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Finally off the mark in a weak maiden at Bath last month and it wasn't his first good effort in handicap company when a close third at Ascot (6f, good to firm) two weeks ago; was ridden more patiently than usual on that occasion; thereabouts.

5/1

3rd

11

(13)

9th Sep 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:55 Ascot

Bussento

8st 13lb

J: David Probert

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Goes well with positive tactics and got off the mark after a gelding operation by making all in maiden at Bath (5.7f, good to soft; handles good to firm) last month; could be unexposed as a sprinter (campaigned at 7f/1m earlier in career) and he needs serious consideration back in a handicap.

7/1

1st

3

(7)

9th Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

15:10 Bath

Bussento

9st 5lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

made all, pushed along over 1f out, ridden inside final furlong, jumped finish line, comfortably

1/4

Form: 835184 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 6lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Travelled well and went clear over 7f at York (good to firm) in June but he has found his revised mark beyond him twice since; Alex Jary's 7lb claim may help today but improvement is required nonetheless.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

15

(3)

16th Apr 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

15:45 Ripon

Another Investment

8st 8lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

More modest runs than good ones in 2025 but he did bolt up at Doncaster last June (6f, good to firm) and he is 4lb lower now; needs to leave his reappearance effort well behind him and he has finished down the field in his two visits here.

40/1

11th

11

(13)

29th Mar 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 4

15:30 Doncaster

Another Investment

9st 2lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Has become unreliable but is well treated on his standout performance of 2025, namely a comfortable win off 1lb higher at Doncaster (6f, good to firm) in June; scored over 7f in 2023.

25/1

10th

4

(9)

28th Oct 2025

Soft

0m 5f 212y

Class 4

15:40 Catterick

Another Investment

9st 7lb

J: Faye McManoman

T: Nigel Tinkler

Easy win at Doncaster in June (6f, good to firm) but generally struggled since; even if he's back in top form he could do with the ground drying out.

16/1

4/1

Form: 7121 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Bred to be smart (by Dubawi; dam won Albany over this C&D) and she has improved with every run, never far away when beating 11 rivals on handicap debut at Windsor (6f, good to firm) two weeks ago; almost certainly open to further progress and could be the one to beat towards the foot of the weights.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

8

(3)

17th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 2

14:25 Doncaster

Reminder

8st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

All turf starts 6f on good to firm; successful twice at Windsor (novice/handicap) this summer; latest effort suggests she's ready for a crack at 7f (pedigree backs that up); remains open to further improvement; shortlisted.

4/1

5th

12

(12)

9th Sep 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:55 Ascot

Reminder

8st 12lb

J: William Buick

T: Andrew Balding

Bred to be smart (by Dubawi; dam won Albany over this C&D) and she has improved with every run, never far away when beating 11 rivals on handicap debut at Windsor (6f, good to firm) two weeks ago; almost certainly open to further progress and could be the one to beat towards the foot of the weights.

4/1

1st

5

(9)

26th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 4

17:15 Windsor

Reminder

9st 5lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Andrew Balding

Won her novice over C&D (good to firm) and was conceding a penalty to the runner-up when unable to confirm those placings on her return visit; 55 days off but an interesting handicap debutante.

9/2

Form: 203331 D

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Has thrived since joining this yard, winning three times including in a big field at Thirsk (5f, good; just as effective at 6f) last month; Fred Larson's claim helps offset a 3lb rise and another bold bid is expected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(7)

3rd Jun 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

19:42 Ripon

Blind Beggar

9st 7lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Jessica Macey

Has won just once since April 2024, at Sandown (5f, good; from 6lb higher) last July; joined this trainer soon after for 15,000gns, and runner-up on stable debut; nowhere near his best in three starts this year, including when twelfth of 20 at York (6f; 50-1) latest.

25/1

12th

21

(4)

23rd May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

13:30 York

Blind Beggar

9st 4lb

J: Taryn Langley

T: Jessica Macey

Record of 240500 for current yard reflects that he hasn't been able to hold his form; others are much more obvious.

40/1

11th

6

(4)

12th Apr 2026

Good

0m 5f 1y

Class 4

18:45 Musselburgh

Blind Beggar

9st 7lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Jessica Macey

Record of 24050 for new yard reflects that he hasn't been able to hold his form; failed to beat a rival in sole outing this year; others have better claims.

50/1

Form: 3-0152

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Easy winner in a small field at Redcar (5f, good) in June and he ran creditably when second to Dark Trooper over C&D (good) four weeks ago; no obvious reason why he won't give his running again but he's creeping up the weights and will need another personal best to win again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

9

(3)

31st May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

17:45 Thirsk

Russet Gold

8st 13lb

J: Tom Eaves

T: Kevin Ryan

Beaten on his last 20 starts going back to June 2023 but he's shown promise in fifth this spring on his first two starts for this yard, most recently behind a couple of these in a big field at York (6f, good); he continues to edge down the weights and might not be far away.

10/1

5th

14

(1)

13th May 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:55 York

Russet Gold

8st 13lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Beaten on his last 19 starts going back to June 2023 but, following a wind op, he was an encouraging fifth off his reduced mark behind Strike Red on last month's stable and seasonal debut at Leicester (6f, good to firm), where he was short of room late on; could build on that with a big run today.

12/1

5th

9

(1)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Leicester

Russet Gold

8st 12lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Kevin Ryan

Two 5f wins for Roger Varian but latest was in June 2023 and he was quiet last season; returns for new yard after wind surgery but he has a mixed record when fresh and this is highly competitive; down the list.

10/1

33/1

Form: 513790

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 10lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Came from a long way back to beat 17 rivals at York (5f, good to firm) in May but seems to have gone off the boil since, finishing last of all there at the Ebor meeting; has stamina concerns over this stiff 6f; opposable.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

10

(2)

6th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

14:00 Haydock

Kuwait City

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: John Butler

Won on reappearance at Yarmouth in April and now 4lb lower; however, his subsequent form has been patchy and he needs to raise his game in first-time cheekpieces.

11/1

6th

7

(8)

17th Aug 2024

Good

0m 5f 34y

Class 3

14:25 Newbury

Kuwait City

9st 1lb

J: Jim Crowley

T: John Butler

Below par since his 5f Yarmouth reappearance success in April but has dipped to 2lb below that winning mark; dangerous if staging a revival.

8/1

14th

6

(18)

26th Jul 2024

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

19:15 York

Kuwait City

9st 6lb

J: Jack Gilligan

T: John Butler

All wins at 5f, one of them here at last year's Dante meeting, and he's on the same mark as when making a successful return at Yarmouth in April (5f, good to firm); best produced late off a strong pace at 5f though and his 6f form is unconvincing.

16/1

7/1

Form: 373212 D

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 0lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Ended losing run at Windsor (6f, good to firm) in August and ran even better in the Goodwood mud next time; creeping back up the weights but won off 5lb higher in August 2021 and should be in the thick of things again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

8

(5)

23rd May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 6

16:57 Windsor

Capotes Dream

9st 6lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Tom Ward

Dry since a C&D win in 2023 and has looked on the downgrade in recent times; goes back to cheekpieces from blinkers, minus the tongue-tie again, after four months off; outsider.

50/1

12/1

Form: 125-50 D

Last run: 96 days

W: 9st 5lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Choicely bred but he's beginning to look exposed, beating just one rival in 6f handicap at Windsor when last seen in June; cheekpieces return today, replacing blinkers; others have less to prove.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(4)

1st Oct 2023

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

17:45 Epsom

Bresson

10st 0lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: John & Thady Gosden

raced in second

7/1

10th

6

(11)

9th Sep 2023

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 2

16:55 Ascot

Bresson

9st 5lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Choicely bred but he's beginning to look exposed, beating just one rival in 6f handicap at Windsor when last seen in June; cheekpieces return today, replacing blinkers; others have less to prove.

12/1

10th

2

(7)

5th Jun 2023

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 3

19:15 Windsor

Bresson

9st 8lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

prominent on outer

11/2

Form: 11D172- D BF

Last run: 339 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo, first past the post three times over 6f last summer, both turf wins coming on quick ground; only seventh of nine when favourite for this race 12 months ago, but he returns from a break/gelding operation with untapped potential and may well take his form to a higher level this autumn; still holds an entry in the Group 1 sprint here on Champions Day.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

1

(4)

6th Apr 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 3

15:40 Wolverhampton (AW)

Willem Twee

9st 11lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Won the Listed Golden Rose at Lingfield in November 2023 and landed a valuable 6f Class 2 handicap here (off 106) the following summer; has finally slipped back down the weights, giving notice of a return to form (third) in an added visor at Lingfield (7f) 51 days ago; respected.

13/2

3rd

4

(7)

14th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 2

15:10 Lingfield (AW)

Willem Twee

9st 2lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: James Fanshawe

Good runs few and far between since August 2024; should be well handicapped but that has been the case for a while and he hasn't shown much this year; now tried in a visor; stable also run Heathcliff.

20/1

9th

1

(2)

30th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 14y

Class 3

15:03 Southwell (AW)

Willem Twee

9st 10lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: James Fanshawe

Not the force of old but he ran well when third in a hot Newcastle handicap last May (6f; RPR 108) and he races off a 7lb lower mark today; neither subsequent run has been comparable but this is a drop in grade and he can't be ruled out.

12/1

Non-runners

Dusky Lord, Bonny Angel

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £56.10
Straight Forecast £58.44
Tricast £537.43
Trifecta £596.20

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Reminder

RP RATINGS:

Dark Trooper

NEWMARKET:

Willem Twee

POSTDATA:

Russet Gold

Daily Mail:

Blind Beggar

The Star:

Capote's Dream

TOPSPEED:

Reminder

The Times:

Reminder

The Guardian:

Reminder

D Express:

Reminder

The Sun:

Reminder

Daily Record:

Reminder

Telegraph:

Willem Twee

LAMBOURN:

Dark Trooper

Daily Mirror:

Dark Trooper