13:50 Sandown

Friday 28 April 2017

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0516:3517:10

bet365 Esher Cup Handicap

Off time: 13:53 | Winning time: 1m 45.39s

(11)

Contrast²²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 93

20/1

One of quite a few making their handicap debut here having won a small-field Haydock novice stakes in August over 7f winning in impressive fashion. Didn't help his handicap mark after that with a listed race fourth and disappointed on his last start as a juvenile at Newbury over a mile and the wide draw here makes life harder.

Form: 4144-6

(13)

Colibri²³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: H Palmer| OR: 92

14/1

Steps up to race over a mile for the first time on his seasonal/handicap debut having shown improved form to score on his third start as a juvenile. Stayed the trip well there in soft conditions but had handled quicker ground previously and looks ready for the increased trip here although he's not been lucky with the draw.

Form: 841-

(3)

The Grape Escape¹⁸⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 90

11/1

Won over C&D on good ground as a juvenile (on debut) and one of three runners from this yard in the contest. Won with a bit in hand on his first run and faced a stiff task when stepped up in grade on his only subsequent start in the Horris Hill Stakes (Group 3) and acquitted himself better than his finishing position suggests having raced on the worst of the ground. Nicely drawn here and remains with potential making his handicap debut.

Form: 18-3

(8)

Rebel De Lope²⁰³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: J P Spencer| T: C Hills| OR: 90

22/1

One of the more experienced in the field having had six runs as a two-year-old winning twice over 7f on good ground with his last win coming here. Found out on both starts at Listed level last year and goes handicapping for the first time here.

Form: 41616-0

(14)

Dr Julius No¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P C O'Donnell⁽⁵⁾| T: R M Beckett| OR: 90

16/1

In such a competitive handicap being drawn on the wide outside will make life plenty hard enough although he is one of a few here to have run this season. Twice a winner last season over 6f/7f he's looked up to this mark in two handicaps this year and saw this trip out well last time out at Musselburgh (drawn wide). Sure to make his mark in handicaps at some point this year but vulnerable to the less exposed types here.

Form: 411-273

(1)

Atty Persse²²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 87

6/4

One run one win was his return last year when he was victorious over C&D in his maiden travelling well and forging clear to win impressively. That form has been well franked by the placed horses and looks strong and he's sure to stay further as he makes his handicap debut off what looks to be a decent mark.

Form: 1-

(12)

Medahim¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: R Hannon| OR: 87

13/2

Yet to run on turf but has recorded a good figure on the clock when winning his maiden over 6f in December at Kempton Park (form looks strong). Given a short break after his debut he gave the winner first run on his handicap debut and looks as though he can defy his current mark but has been a little unfortunate with the draw.

Form: 1-20

(9)

First Up²¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: J F Egan| T: J Noseda| OR: 85

10/1

Both turf runs were creditable and showed promise especially his debut at York over 7f when he got a little isolated. The switch to AW brought about his initial win though showing improved form to score when he was favourite over 7f. Looks the type to improve again making his seasonal/handicap debut.

Form: 531-8

(10)

Jupiter Light³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Robert Tart| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 85

12/1

Very lightly raced and having shown promise and ability on his sole juvenile run showed the benefit of that run when scoring on his first start this year. Certainly knew a lot more this time around to win his maiden over 7f reeling in one who had got first run and looks the sort to improve more and comes from a stable in rude health.

Form: 6-10

(4)

Cullingworth¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Sammy Jo Bell⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 84

16/1

Pushed up 3lb for his win on his seasonal debut at Musselburgh over a mile showing improved form. That win coming off a break and leaving the impression that he may stay a little further. Faces plenty of improvers here and may just be a question mark over whether he can fend this field off.

Form: 4334-10

(7)

Mucho Applause²¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: W Buick| T: A M Balding| OR: 82

12/1

From a yard who look to be starting to get going after a slow start to the season he won on his final start last year breaking his maiden over 7f at Salisbury. Noticeable that his best two runs last year and his win came on softer ground and conditions are a question mark here as he makes his handicap debut.

Form: 341-2

(6)

Juanito Chico^h¹⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: M Dwyer| T: W Jarvis| OR: 78

50/1

Came a bit more into his own when switched to nurseries last year justifying strong support to win over 7f at Brighton on his penultimate start with a hood on for the first time. Bumped into a bigger improver on his final start switched to the AW and may not have as much improvement in him as some of these.

Form: 54212-5

(5)

Mister Blue Sky²¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: David Egan⁽⁷⁾| T: S Kirk| OR: 75

25/1

Only win last year came over 6f on soft ground (main rival disappointed) but he does look as though he will be effective over a mile. On his juvenile form though he only looks a solid sort rather a really progressive one which several of these are.

Form: 12242-7

Non-Runners

(2)

Trading Punches²¹⁵

Weight: 8-11| Age: 3

T: D H Brown J: Fran Berry

Forecasts

Atty Persse (6/4), Medahim (13/2), First Up (10/1), The Grape Escape (11/1), Mucho Applause (12/1), Jupiter Light (12/1), Colibri (14/1), Dr Julius No (16/1), Cullingworth (16/1), Contrast (20/1), Rebel De Lope (22/1), Mister Blue Sky (25/1), Trading Punches (33/1), Juanito Chico (50/1)

One of if not the best three-year-old handicaps of the season so far and made all the more difficult as a betting contest by the fact that eight of the field are making their handicap debuts. Several of these probably have loftier ambitions looking at their entries with ATTY PERSSE very much falling into that category after his impressive C&D win last year. Dangers abound though with The Grape Escape and Medahim two others with very good claims here although the latter does have a difficult draw to overcome. Most of those to have already run in handicaps look to have a tough task here and other handicap debutantes such as Jupiter Light and First Up look to have much better chances off their current marks.