15:15 Epsom Downs

Wednesday 26 April 2017

All14:1014:4515:1515:5016:2517:00

Investec Corporate Banking Great Metropolitan Handicap

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 2m 41.79s

(9)

Galapiat¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96

11/10

Made a mockery of his handicap mark on his GB debut when running out an easy winner at Leicester. The third placed runner from that contest has come out and won since off a mark of 85; he was 7L behind this colt on his previous start. Could still be well-handicapped off 11lb higher here and jockey has a strike rate of 25% (4-16) and clearly rides this course well. The one to beat on form and there may be improvement in him.

Form: 413-114

(4)

Sindarban¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: J P Spencer| T: K Dalgleish| OR: 91

13/2

Former hurdler who made a promising start to life with this yard, winning his first two starts, the second in a handicap off a mark of 85. Has struggled off his revised mark. Should get the strong pace he desires but best performances have come on good to firm and ground may not dry out to that extent, while there's probably a few better handicapped sorts in the line up.

Form: 8036-55

(2)

Barwick¹⁸³

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: George Baker| OR: 89

12/1

Running well over hurdles in the autumn and won this race on seasonal return last year off a mark 4lb lower mark. This year's renewal looks a little stronger though and unlikely to be improving at this age; looks vulnerable for win purposes but should give his running.

Form: 80/1390-

(7)

Ruwasi³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 88

9/1

Four wins from 14 Flat turf starts and proved he was good as ever on return from a significant absence last year. Finished last season disappointingly but he's better than that and he's made a promising career to life over hurdles for this yard. Not discounted returned to the Flat but yard have been a little quiet in recent weeks and he'll need a career best to take this.

Form: 211787-

(8)

William Hunter²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: F Sweeney| T: A King| OR: 87

7/1

Found everything happening a little quick for him on the AW at Kempton last time but entitled to come on for that effort. Handicap mark looking a little on the high side at present but improvement far from ruled out and sure to enjoy the return to turf.

Form: 1164-84

(6)

Royal Marskell^h³²

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: David Egan⁽⁷⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 82

25/1

Can be a reluctant individual and refused to take any part in a Lingfield race three starts back but made amends last time when getting away on terms and showing how effective he can be when in the right mood. Not the sort to back that effort up and has proved more effective on an artificial surface so probably one to avoid.

Form: 5R3180

(1)

Thames Knight²⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: R Ffrench| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 80

10/1

Won here in July last year and finished runner-up on his most recent start here in September so clearly effective around here. Trainer does well with his horses having their seasonal reappearance (14.63% stirke-rate) and this gelding has less miles on the clock than most. Interesting runner.

Form: 52626-6

(5)

Whinging Willie²⁰⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: S Hitchcott| T: G & J Moore| OR: 78

25/1

Won well on his most recent appearance at Brighton in September but back up the handicap for that and he's struggled off marks this high in the past. Likely to be the second string on jockey bookings.

Form: 763461-

(3)

Michael's Mount^p¹⁸³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: S De Sousa| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 79

8/1

Career best on final start of 2016 but that and his only other winning start have had soft in the going and he's likely to struggle in a race as hot as this, despite having the services of a jockey who rides this course as well as anyone.

Form: 23271-7

Forecasts

Galapiat (11/10), Sindarban (13/2), William Hunter (7/1), Michael's Mount (8/1), Ruwasi (9/1), Thames Knight (10/1), Barwick (12/1), Whinging Willie (25/1), Royal Marskell (25/1)

GALAPIAT was impressive on his return to action and he could still be well-handicapped despite his rise in the weights and the fact that effort came on an undulating track, should help him handle the camber here. Marcus Tregoning has a fair record with horses returning from a break and Thames Knight could go well here once again after winning and finihsing runner-up on his two previous starts on the track. William Hunter may enjoy the return to turf and could be the best of the rest.