Hurricane Ivor out to gain first British win after Sandown farce

3.35 Ascot
Betfred Heritage Handicap | 5f | 3yo+ | ITV/Sky

Last week’s Coral-Eclipse day at Sandown should be remembered for St Mark’s Basilica’s brilliance but before he had got everyone excited only one race was on the lips of punters and that was the opening sprint handicap won by Phoenix Star and, eventually, Hurricane Ivor.

In a farcical incident which involved Phoenix Star initially being called the winner by judge Jane Green, the result was quickly queried after two frames of the finish – the initial photo and the mirror image – appeared to show Hurricane Ivor’s nose clearly in front on the line.

A misaligned mirror was blamed for the blunder and, with just the original photo available, a dead-heat was declared after the stewards argued there wasn’t enough evidence for a clear result.

The upshot is that Hurricane Ivor returns to the track just seven days later in a bid to claim an undisputed victory of his own and he will race off a 5lb higher mark than for that half-success.

William Haggas doesn’t have a great record when turning horses out quickly, though. Since the start of 2016 he is 12-80 (15 per cent) with runners reappearing within a week of their last run and his overall strike-rate in that time is 23 per cent. A £1 bet on each would have lost £44.22.

Significantly heads the overnight market following his win in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Handicap over course and distance at the royal meeting last month, when he narrowly prevailed in a race dominated by those drawn high. He was on the right side of the track and took full advantage.

He is now drawn on the opposite side in stall eight of 20, so is he in the right place again?

Recent history suggests he isn’t. Four of the last five winners were drawn in double-figure stalls and the majority of those races were dominated by high numbers. The 2018 running, won by Spring Loaded, is the exception when single-figure draws filled the first four places.
Race analysis by Graeme Rodway

Murphy has big hopes for Mulzim

Mike Murphy is hoping stable star Mulzim can follow in the hoofprints of Discussiontofollow by landing this valuable and prestigious sprint handicap.

Discussiontofollow took the 2014 renewal by a head from Milly’s Gift under Shane Kelly, prior to finishing a close sixth behind Intrinsic in the Stewards’ Cup at Goodwood.

Murphy’s prowess with sprinters was also showcased by Mulzim’s rapid improvement over the winter when securing four Fibresand handicaps at Southwell between December 20 and February 24.

As a result, the seven-year-old Mulzim’s official handicap mark soared from 76 to 97, but his performance at York in May when a half-length runner-up to the useful Copper Knight off 94 suggests he could well be capable of emulating Discussiontofollow.

Murphy said: “Mulzim is the stable star. We’ve always wanted to run him at Ascot. He ran a great race two starts ago when second to Copper Knight at York, and the ground was too soft for him last time – you can draw a line through that run.”

He added: “We won the race with Discussiontofollow in 2014 and would dearly love to win it again.”

All seven of Mulzim’s successes to date have been achieved on the all-weather and, while he is clearly most comfortable at Southwell, there is no real evidence that he cannot pull off a major handicap win on turf.

He has had only seven starts on grass, and a reproduction of that excellent performance against Copper Knight at York – in which he finished a neck in front of Mondammej, who reopposes – should see him firmly in the shake-up.

What they say

Mick Appleby, trainer of Danzeno and Boundless Power
Danzeno takes his racing very well. He won nicely at Haydock last week but ideally wouldn’t want the ground to be any softer. Boundless Power does want a soft surface. He’s a really nice four-year-old who is still improving. I think he’s got a really good chance.

Steve Brown, assistant to Julie Camacho, trainer of Makanah
He’s in good form and I was pleased with his last run at York. He falls between two stools really – he’s not quite high enough for Listed races but has to carry big weights in competitive handicaps like this one. We’re putting cheekpieces on in the hope that we can eke a bit more out of him. Ground, trip and track are fine, but I’m not sure about the draw.

Clive Cox, trainer of Tis Marvellous and Get It
Tis Marvellous loves Ascot, and would appreciate no more rain. In spite of his age he remains as enthusiastic as ever. Get It ran well over the course and distance last year when fourth in the Windsor Castle. We’ve been waiting for a drier surface for him, so let’s hope there’s no more rain.

William Haggas, trainer of Hurricane Ivor
He got put up 5lb for winning last time, which was a bit harsh, but he should run well unless they get any more rain.

Read more Saturday previews:

3.15 Newmarket: History suggests you should favour unexposed juveniles over Ascot also-rans

3.50 Newmarket: Is Britannia hero Perotto a handicap blot? Graeme Rodway gives his verdict

4.05 York: What could go wrong for Astro King? Graeme Rodway reckons he has found something

4.25 Newmarket: Cieren Fallon bids to follow in legendary July Cup footsteps with Oxted

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