Racecards
15:30 Leicester
Tote Placepot Rated Stakes (Handicap) (Class C)
- 8 Runners
- Distance: 1m 3f 183y
- Going: Good to Firm, Firm in places
![Silk - Royal Blue, White epaulets, striped cap Silk - Royal Blue, White epaulets, striped cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/5106.png)
- Form 44-212
- Age 3
- Weight 9-7
- Trainer Sir Michael Stoute
- Jockey R Hills
always prominent, ridden to lead well over 1f out, headed inside final furlong, ran on
![Silk - Royal Blue, White chevron, Light Blue cap Silk - Royal Blue, White chevron, Light Blue cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/3956.png)
- Form 321031
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer E A L Dunlop
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
held up in touch, ridden and every chance from over 1f out, not quicken inside final furlong
![Silk - Royal Blue, White epaulets, striped cap Silk - Royal Blue, White epaulets, striped cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/5106.png)
Alasil (USA)
10- Form 14-0664
- Age 3
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer J L Dunlop
- Jockey Ted Durcan
led for 1f, chased leader, led 4f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, soon weakened
![Silk - Royal Blue, Dark Green cross belts Silk - Royal Blue, Dark Green cross belts](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/12451.png)
- Form 353014
- Age 3
- Weight 8-8
tracked leader, led over 2f out, headed well over 1f out, soon weakened
![Silk - Light Blue, Dark Blue stars, Light Blue cap Silk - Light Blue, Dark Blue stars, Light Blue cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/18948.png)
- Form 132342
- Age 3
- Weight 8-8
- Trainer W Jarvis
- Jockey J P Spencer
held up, ridden and headway 2f out, not pace to challenge
![Silk - Black and Red (quartered), White sleeves, White cap, Red star Silk - Black and Red (quartered), White sleeves, White cap, Red star](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/3510.png)
- Form 140330
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
held up, good headway on inside well over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, ran on, all out
![Silk - Yellow, Black star, chevrons on sleeves, Yellow cap Silk - Yellow, Black star, chevrons on sleeves, Yellow cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/2125.png)
Beau Artiste
15- Form 232032
- Age 3
- Weight 8-4
- Trainer Jedd O'Keeffe
- Jockey W Ryan
stumbled start, held up, ridden 2f out, never on terms
![Silk - Yellow, Royal Blue sash, White sleeves, Royal Blue armlets, White cap Silk - Yellow, Royal Blue sash, White sleeves, Royal Blue armlets, White cap](https://e0.365dm.com/racing/tsilks/29121.png)
East Flares
12- Form 50-61
- Age 3
- Weight 8-4
led after 1f, pushed along and headed 4f out, weakened quickly over 2f out
In depth
Verdict
A competitive contest with plenty of in-form animals taking part and while the likes of Clever Clogs and Bahlino deserve plenty of respect the choice has to be Alkaased after his improved effort at Headquarters recently. The step up in trip was clearly beneficial to him and although it is a slight concern to see him return to this trip, he is a horse who likes to race up with the pace and hopefully he will have plenty of use made of him here. Clever Clogs, apart from being outclassed, but not disgraced in Listed company, has proved wonderfully consistent this year. It could be significant that Ed Dunlop's filly takes up this option, under a small penalty, rather than wait for a tougher event at Newmarket later in the week. Alasil appreciated the return to front-running tactics at Newmarket last time and if similar tactics are employed here, could prove difficult to pass. Bahlino has held his form well throughout the year, but keeps climbing in the weights without actually winning. He is too consistent for his own good. This is a step up in class for Glencoyle, while Dovedon Hero is well held by the selection and will need to find vast improvement for the fitting of blinkers for the first time. Neither Beau Artiste or East Flares should be good enough at this level, while Sovereign Dreamer looks to have something to prove off a 7lbs higher mark than when last successful at Newcastle. So, although this is a hot little contest, Alkaased is clearly on the upgrade and gets the vote.