16:40 Epsom
Good To SoftCherryfield (Croydon) Lester Piggott Handicap (GBBPlus Race)
- First Prize: £38655
- 1m 2f 17y
- Class 2
- 11 runners
ITV
Runners: 11 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Form: 2117-4
OR: 93
W: 9st 9lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Won from the front in two Kempton novices (1m, AW) last term; weakened out of it in a Group 3 at Newmarket (1m2f) on final 2yo run and mastered by his three rivals late on in a conditions stakes at Goodwood (1m, good; unraced on softer) on reappearance, so he does not present the most glittering case for this handicap debut, but stamina in family suggests he should stay.
Form: 11-347
OR: 88
W: 9st 4lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Unraced on softer than good; found serious improvement over 7f/1m on AW but, although running respectably, he's not transferred the best of that form to 1m turf handicaps on last two outings; worth a go at this new trip.
Form: 561666
OR: 88
W: 9st 4lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Fair form on varied turf as 2yo; rather better in his seven-race campaign at Meydan in December-March, including a 1m win and he shaped as if he stayed 1m1f on final start there; needs to rebound from a poor show at Newmarket (1m2f) in April and he was gelded the following day.
Form: 181- C
OR: 86
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Won a small-field maiden here (7f, good) last July on debut; well held in eighth of 26 in a valuable sales race at Newmarket (7f, good) but he was on his own through the final 1f when making most to win at 1-2 in a novice at Chelmsford (1m, AW) in November; 1m2f is plausible and he should bring potential to this seasonal and handicap debut.
Form: 133115
OR: 85
W: 9st 1lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Usually ridden by Rose Dawes; won four of his seven handicaps, all once fitted with a visor, including from the front over 1m at Bath (good to soft) and Doncaster (good to firm) when returned to turf; helped to set a strong gallop when fifth of ten at Haydock latest but he needs to resume improvement and this new trip is not sure to help.
Form: 34-1
OR: 85
W: 9st 1lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Minor honours at Newmarket (7f, good) in October on first two starts; 7-1 for 12-runner novice at Lingfield (1m, AW; York Tower third) last month and always close up to win by a neck; getting up in the final strides there boosts hope for 1m2f (despite pedigree) and he's a promising newcomer to handicaps.
Form: 6231-
OR: 85
W: 9st 1lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
All three turf races as 2yo were on soft or heavy, making most and rallying stoutly to win a maiden at Nottingham (1m) on final outing; gelded since; seemingly no doubt that he will still be suited by 1m2f+ and nothing to prove if the ground is testing; one to note on seasonal/handicap debut.
Form: 3214-5
OR: 81
W: 8st 11lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Unraced on softer than good; won at Thirsk (1m) in August on third start; flopped when favourite for five-runner nursery at Newcastle (1m, AW) in October and weakened into fifth of eight at Chester (1m4f; 5-1) on reappearance, so his two handicap performances left plenty to be desired; back in trip today and perhaps he needed that latest run.
OUR TIP
Form: 2-1911 D
OR: 80
W: 8st 10lb
Age: 3 yo Filly
Second on good to soft on her only 2yo start; last of nine on handicap debut at Southwell (1m, AW) in April but won her other three starts this season, in 1m2f handicaps at Newmarket and Chester on last two occasions; 6lb rise is a sterner reaction since latest start but she's seen those last two races out strongly and could have more to give; major player.
Form: -41352
OR: 79
W: 8st 9lb
Age: 3 yo Filly
Shaped like a non-stayer over 1m4f at York on turf debut in May, but reeled in only late in the day when second of ten there over 1m2f (again good ground; raised 2lb today) nine days later; ridden by Jack Nicholls last time and that performance puts her on the shortlist.
Form: 22-3
OR: 78
W: 8st 8lb
Age: 3 yo Gelding
Second over 7f at Yarmouth (good) and Chelmsford (AW) on his only two starts as 2yo; respectable third to Savvy Disko in novice at Lingfield (1m, AW) on return last month; handicap newcomer, with plenty to suggest that 1m2f+ will suit and best days are ahead of him.
Terms and conditions
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Betting Forecast
5/1 Allegresse, 10/1 Lake Como, 25/1 Tailgunner Joe, 4/1 Starlight Time, 20/1 Silver State, 10/1 Savvy Disko, 5/1 Hell Yeah He Did, 12/1 Be The Standard, 8/1 Folk Pageant, 9/1 Pendella, 7/1 York Tower
Verdict
Most of these 3yos surely still have potential, including as five of them are handicap newcomers and six try this trip for the first time. Savvy Disko (second choice) and York Tower might prove best among the handicap newcomers, with Hell Yeah He Did joining them if the ground is soft. FOLK PAGEANT and Pendella, however, are greatly respected among those who have already contested a 1m2f handicap and Folk Pageant in particular has really made her mark.[Richard Austen]