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13:45 Ascot

Bovis Homes Buckhounds Stakes (listed) (Class 1)

  • 7 Runners
  • Distance: 1m 4f
  • Going: Soft, Good to Soft in places
  • Surface: Turf
  • £40,000 added
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 2m 42.05s
  • Off Time: 13:45:48
  • 7 Ran
1(5)
Silk - Emerald Green, White chevron, White sleeves, Emerald Green armlets, Red cap

Akarem

21 CDD
7/1
  • Form 3558-67
  • Age 6
  • Weight 8-12
  • Official Rating 105

tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along 3f out, stayed alone on far rail straight, went 2nd over 2f out, no chance with winner from over 1f out, just held on for 2nd

2(6)
Silk - Grey, Pink epaulets, quartered cap
10/1
  • Form 210293-
  • Age 7
  • Weight 8-12
  • Official Rating 106

held up in 5th, ridden and effort to take 3rd 2f out, stayed on steadily final furlong to challenge for 2nd near finish, no chance with easy winner

3(4)
Silk - Grey, Red Cross of Lorraine, hooped sleeves, quartered cap
8/1
  • Form 0444/38-
  • Age 5
  • Weight 8-12
  • Official Rating 107

tracked winner until over 2f out, weakened

4(3)
Silk - Dark Blue
8/13
  • Form 0/1222-5
  • Age 5
  • Weight 8-12
  • Official Rating 119

made all and set steady pace, quickened tempo 3f out, came towards centre in straight, in no danger from over 1f out, stayed on strongly

5(2)
Silk - Royal Blue, White sash, White sleeves, Royal Blue armlets, Red cap
25/1
  • Form 135370-
  • Age 6
  • Weight 8-12
  • Official Rating 99

took keen hold in 4th, pushed along 3f out, no chance final 2f

6(7)
Silk - ROYAL BLUE, YELLOW stripe, YELLOW sleeves, ROYAL BLUE armlets and star on YELLOW cap
  • Form 4/35341-
  • Age 4
  • Weight 8-10
  • Official Rating 105

slowly into stride, held up in last pair, pushed along 3f out, ridden and no chance final 2f

7(1)
Silk - Pink, Black stars on sleeves, Pink cap, Black star
  • Form 2D9424-
  • Age 6
  • Weight 8-7
  • Official Rating 101

took keen hold, held up in last pair, ridden and beaten early straight

In depth

Verdict

Mountain High has plenty in hand on the ratings and should prove hard to beat, with Balkan Knight, High Heel Sneakers and last year's winner Akarem all having it to do. Sir Michael Stoute has given Mountain High a host of Group entries this summer, and so this Listed prize should be well within his capabilities. Asked to set the pace in a Group 3 at Sandown on his reappearance, the five-year-old found the pace too hot over that 10-furlongs, but back up to a more suitable trip, and with a fitness edge, he must surely take all the beating, being nearly a stone higher than his nearest rival on current ratings. Balkan Knight has not been seen since disappointing on softer ground in the Jockey Club Cup at Newmarket last October, while High Heel Sneakers will benefit from the run. Fourth in last year's Ribblesdale over the course-and-distance, she could be set for a good season. Akarem was a surprise winner of this 12-months ago, and is hard to fancy on this much faster going, and all in all, class should tell in the shape of Mountain High.

Formwatch

Akarem 28-1 (8-12) Tracked winner to over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 7th of 9, 5l behind Maraahel (9-3) at Newbury 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gf in Apr.

Balkan Knight 11-2 (9-0) Held up, headway over 5f out, chased leaders over 3f out, stayed on final furlong, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Hawridge Prince (9-0) at Newmarket 2m Grp 3 (1) gs in Oct.

Kong (IRE) 6-5 (8-12) Off bit slow,weakened, 8th of 10, 12l behind Fire Wood (8-10) at Del Mar 1m 3f all plt std in Jul.

Mountain High (IRE) 5-2fav (9-0) Led, hung left from 2f out, soon headed, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 6, 5l behind Red Rocks (9-7) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 3 (1) gd in Apr.

Star of Light 6-1 (9-8) Keen, chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened and eased, last of 12, 11l behind Dansili Dancer (9-2) at Haydock 1m 3f fll hcp 0-105 (2) gf in Aug.

High Heel Sneakers 9-2 (8-8) Held up in rear, headway 2f out, ridden to lead well inside final furlong, won at Lingfield 1m 5f lst fll stk (1) pol in Oct beating Taranto (8-8) by a hd, 11 ran.

Mango Mischief (IRE) (9-4) In touch, lost place 3f out, stayed on again, 4th of 15, 4l behind Ponte Tresa (8-13) at Saint-Cloud 1m 4f fll stk sft in Nov.