Take Labeebb to bring up hat-trick of victories

Crisfords’ charge can defy weight hike and rise in company

LABEEBB can bring up a hat-trick of wins in the Victoria Racing Club Handicap at Ascot.

Trained by Simon and Ed Crisford, Labeebb has made great strides since finishing third on his racecourse bow at Kempton in June, with a move up to 12 furlongs appearing to be the making of him.

He duly hit the mark at Wolverhampton on his second outing, but subsequently lost that win in the stewards’ room after he was adjudged to have impeded the second at a crucial point of the race.

Nevertheless, Labeebb put that reverse well behind when lifting a Newmarket novice event by four and three-quarter lengths next time before proving an opening mark of 79 too lenient when galloping out a near fourlength winner on his first handicap outing.

The assessor has hiked him 9lb for that verdict, but the manner of his success suggests there is plenty more in the locker, and Labeebb can defy both a higher mark and a rise in company in this event.

While Labeebb lost out in a stewards’ inquiry, TEMPUS was the beneficiary of one last time, but can do it under his own steam in the Beefeater Handicap.

The four-year-old finished a head behind Overwrite at Newbury, but there was no doubt that rival had cost him a winning chance when wandering around under pressure at the finish.

That was Tempus’ first outing in 302 days and just his fourth start overall, having won two of his three in 2019 and finished second as a juvenile.

Roger Charlton’s runner hails from an excellent Khalid Abdullah family, with his dam Passage Of Time having been an admirable performer for Sir Henry Cecil during her racing days and producing the likes of Time Test as a brood mare since.

His sire, Kingman, is another bluechip Abdullah name and Tempus looks the type who can go on to much better things in time.

BREATH OF AIR also sports the green, pink and white Abdullah silks and it would be no surprise if could seal a good day for the owner in the More Ways To Win On Betfair Handicap at Haydock.

Trained by Charlie Hills, Breath Of Air was a winner on his seasonal bow in June but has so far failed to replicate that achievement in three subsequent outings.

There was plenty of support for him at this track on his most recent run, but he edged across the track under pressure at the end, a factor which may well have been decisive, given he was beaten just a nose.

SELECTIONS

ASCOT: 1.55 Dark Shift, 2.30 George Scott, 3.05 La Barrosa, 3.40 LABEEBB (NAP), 4.15 Al Salt, 4.50 Tempus, 5.20 Tuscan Oasis, 5.55 Double Or Bubble.

HAYDOCK: 2.10 Trumpet Man, 2.45 Ladywood, 3.20 Breath Of Air, 3.50 Somewhere Secret, 4.25 Teodolina, 4.55 Endowed, 5.25 Kaser.

THIRSK: 1.20 Fairmac, 1.50 Prison Break, 2.20 Dream World, 2.55 Eagle Eyed Freddie, 3.30 Archaeology, 4.00 Ispahan, 4.35 Son And Sannie, 5.05 Luxor.

DOUBLE: Labeebb and Tempus.

Roger Charlton: Trains Tempus.