17:50 Epsom Downs

Saturday 3 June 2017

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1517:50

Investec Asset Management Handicap

Off time: 17:51 | Winning time: 1m 7.99s

(8)

Blaine^b¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Joshua Bryan⁽⁷⁾| T: B Barr| OR: 98| CD

11/2

Scored on debut for this yard last time on soft ground at Newbury, winning with a fair amount of ease. 4lb rise for that effort looks lenient and his previous win came in this race last year. Could be more to come for his new yard and not dismissed off top-weight.

Form: 00020-1

(1)

Suzi's Connoisseur^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: P J Dobbs| T: S C Williams| OR: 96| D

20/1

As low in the weights as he'd ever been since his juvenile days when winning on the AW at Newcastle over 7f earlier in the year. Well suited to softer conditions when it comes to turf and looks on a fair mark but his best recent efforts have come over 7f.

Form: 09-5160

(3)

Naggers¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: P Mulrennan| T: P T Midgley| OR: 95| D

5/2

Well backed and justified favouritism in a 19-runner Thirsk maiden last month, running on strongly in the closing stages. 10lb rise makes life tougher and this is a different type of test but the ground is unlikely to inconvenience him. Should go well again.

Form: 1101-41

(11)

Sir Ottoman^t1⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Edward Greatrex⁽³⁾| T: M Moubarak| OR: 95| D

33/1

Effective over this trip when trained in France and should come on for his effort at Newmarket at the beginning of the season when running over the minimum trip. Any market support would be significant but the suspicion is he'll need a little relief from the handicapper.

Form: 21-2649

(16)

Watchable^v⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-4| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| D

8/1

Losing run goes all the way back to 2014 but shaped well at York last time, looking like his turn may not be too far away. Wide draw not ideal here though and unlikely to want to see any rain arrive.

Form: 504543

(5)

Holiday Magic²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 94

14/1

Rattled off a hat-trick at the turn of the year and not disgraced when sixth of 24 at Ascot last time, with the form of that race looking rock solid. Loves front-running and useful jockey at this course who rode a winner here Friday takes over from a 7lb claimer in the saddle and it would be no surprise to see him go well, particularly if he can get to the front.

Form: 423076

(7)

Clear Spring⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 8-13| J: Liam Jones| T: J L Spearing| OR: 90| CD

20/1

Won a handicap at Newbury around this time last year off a higher mark but not managed to place since. Should bounce back at some stage and he won over C&D here in 2013 so he handles the track at least.

Form: 070-847

(14)

Ninjago^b¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: P T Midgley| OR: 89| D

12/1

Losing run now stands at 26 after a disappointing effort at York last month. Seasonal return at Doncaster was a promising effort and he'd have a chance if he returned in that sort of form but hard to predict currently.

Form: 6-59360

(17)

Ashpan Sam^p¹⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 8-12| J: William Carson| T: David Drinkwater| OR: 89| CD

16/1

Runner-up here over C&D last August and won both the 2014 and 2015 renewals of this contest. May have needed his comeback run last time and looks to be on a very lenient mark but wide draw is off-putting.

Form: 54929-8

(13)

Pearl Spectre³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-10| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 87| D

40/1

Useful on the AW but yet to score on turf and this mark looks a little beyond him at present.

Form: 143677

(15)

Reputation^v¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 87| D

25/1

Two wins from 17 starts and his best efforts have come on faster ground than what he'll encounter here. Can miss the break and wider draw than ideal. Best watched this time around.

Form: 120-500

(6)

George Bowen¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: T Eaves| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86| D

15/2

Kept giving the impression he was well handicapped last year but never capitalised and shaped well again last time at York. 6lb below his last winning mark but he's frustrating to follow and others hold stronger claims.

Form: 655-096

(2)

In The Red²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Noel Garbutt⁽³⁾| T: Martin Smith| OR: 83

33/1

Well beaten on both starts for this yard and severe drop back in trip unlikely to be in his favour.

Form: 779-106

(10)

Lucky Beggar¹^{(ex 6)}

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 83| D

10/1

Gained his first win since 2014 at Wetherby two starts back but likely to struggle in this class. Engaged Catterick Friday.

Form: 243121

(4)

B Fifty Two^t⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-5| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs Marjorie Fife| OR: 82| D

25/1

Very well-handicapped on his old form but best days appear to be behind him now and not won or placed since 2015. Effort at Pontefract last time was a respectable effort but will probably struggle in a classier contest here.

Form: 478-005

(9)

Paddy Power¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Connor Murtagh⁽⁷⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 81

9/1

Very hit and miss last year but has started this year in better form. Quickened well to win a Newmarket handicap last time but 6lb higher in a tougher race here and step up in trip not certain to suit.

Form: 6504-21

Non-Runners

(12)

Scrutineer¹⁵

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: M R Channon J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Naggers (5/2), Blaine (11/2), George Bowen (15/2), Watchable (8/1), Paddy Power (9/1), Lucky Beggar (10/1), Ninjago (12/1), Holiday Magic (14/1), Ashpan Sam (16/1), Scrutineer (16/1), Suzi's Connoisseur (20/1), Clear Spring (20/1), Reputation (25/1), B Fifty Two (25/1), In The Red (33/1), Sir Ottoman (33/1), Pearl Spectre (40/1)

BLAINE won this last year and he's not dismissed in a follow-up bid having got off to a flying start for his new yard at Newbury last time. Naggers has to cope with a 10lb penalty but he won a competitive looking race at Thirsk easily enough last time out and he could win again. Ashpan Sam is another former winner of this contest and he returns here on what looks like a very lenient mark.