Ascot form to the fore as last year's winner Rohaan bids to capitalise on tumbling mark in competitive handicap

Rohaan: on a tantalising markCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Rohaan needs little introduction when it comes to Ascot handicaps and it is no surprise he leads the market to snare another.

Twice a winner of the Wokingham, as well as the Pavilion and Bengough Stakes at this track, Rohaan took this race off an 8lb higher mark last year giving the subsequent Buckingham Palace winner English Oak a stone.

Several of his efforts this season have caught the eye, most notably when third over this course and distance on his penultimate start, and he should be well capable of capitalising off this rating.

Commanche Falls is another to win Group races and two runnings of a big handicap (Stewards' Cup), and he also boasts top course form as he was only denied a short head in the Bengough at this meeting last year.

He has also been running respectably this campaign and was well ahead of Rohaan when sixth in the Ayr Gold Cup last time, but he's still 3lb higher than his last handicap win two years ago and has to give the market leader a whopping 12lb.

Last year's International winner Baradar also has strong claims as he is now 3lb lower than when recording that success, and put in one of his finer efforts this season when a staying-on fourth at Ripon last time.

The unexposed three-year-old Never So Brave could easily make up into a Group-level sprinter in time and needs to be taken seriously, while Garfield Shadow and Ferrous remain competitively treated. The Shergar Cup scorer Holkham Bay may have more to offer, too.
Analysis by Maddy Playle

Baradar (purple): 3lb lower than when winning at the course last year Credit: Mark Cranham

Going update

The ground has improved since Wednesday when part of the round course was waterlogged according to clerk of the course Chris Stickels. He said on Thursday: "We're now soft on the straight course and heavy, soft in places on the round course. It's been dry since yesterday morning and we haven't any waterlogged areas on the round course now. We've moved a few rails as we are saving ground for British Champions Day, but that's just routine."

What they say

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Saeed Suhail, owner of Never So Brave
Sir Michael Stoute was keen to drop him back to six furlongs as he has plenty of pace and a stiff finish at Ascot should help him. He's handled soft ground in the past, but whether he wants it this soft is another matter.

William Knight, trainer of Holkham Bay
We've decided to go for this rather than the five-furlong race and he'll like the track and the ground. Oisin Murphy is riding him for the first time and we like our draw. We think he goes there with a good chance.

Tom Queally, rider of Rohaan
He found the ground too quick for him at Ayr last time and this soft ground should be bang on. He has a good record at the track and looks to have a great chance.

George Boughey, trainer of Baradar
He ran well at Ripon last time on a track that didn't really suit him and he likes Ascot and this is his time of year. He'll like the ground and should be thereabouts.

Philip Robinson, racing manager to Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, owner of Garfield Shadow
He ran an incredible race to be third at Leopardstown last time where he was drawn widest of all over seven furlongs. If he'd been drawn low he would have gone very close that day, and if he handles the ground he should give another good account.
Reporting by David Milnes