15:50 Epsom Downs

Monday 28 August 2017

All14:0514:4015:1515:5016:2016:5517:25

Poundland Saves The Day Amateurs' Derby Handicap (Gentleman Amateur Riders)

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 2m 47.17s

(9)

Hollywood Road^b¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Mr Derek O'Connor| T: D E Cantillon| OR: 85

10/3

Two wins from six starts this year, one coming over hurdles, and has been in excellent form recently over shorter trips. No stamina concerns, feasibly weighted and has an excellent partner.

Form: 66-1322

(10)

Thames Knight⁷⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-4| J: Mr G Tregoning⁽⁶⁾| T: M P Tregoning| OR: 82| C| D

7/2

Took a couple of runs to get going this season but won over this trip at Goodwood in June and wen went over shorter back there the same month off increased mark. Runs off a career-high mark in this contest.

Form: 26-6012

(7)

Whinging Willie^v⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-2| J: Lorcan Williams⁽⁴⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 80| D

9/2

Regular here but yet to score in 12 attempts, came closest last month over this trip when denied on the line, has less weight to carry now and entitled to claims on that form.

Form: 1-26226

(4)

C'Est No Mour²³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr Simon Walker| T: P Hedger| OR: 78

5/2

Lightly-raced colt has been on the upgrade lately, winning handicaps at Lingfield and Windsor over shorter trips. Not beaten far last time at Newmarket tackling this trip for the first and runs off the same mark, player with excellent rider booked.

Form: 906113

(8)

Safira Menina²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-10| J: Mr B James⁽⁴⁾| T: Martin Smith| OR: 74| D

12/1

Mare likes to be prominent and got her wish over C&D early in the month but couldn't see the job out, eventually fading to be beaten the best part of 10L. Has her work cut out now.

Form: 632234

(3)

Cotton Club¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 10-8| J: Mr Patrick Millman| T: B R Millman| OR: 72| D

8/1

Won over this trip at Salisbury in June off a mark 2lb lower than he finds here. Has been a bit disappointing in all three runs since and needs to bounce back, trainer has recent 21% strike rate (3/14).

Form: 571333

(6)

Star Of Lombardy¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-8| J: Mr Alex Ferguson| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 72| CD

14/1

Is just 1lb higher than when winning over C&D last month, has run poorly in four starts since, including here, but couldn't be written off completely. Others seem more reliable.

Form: 313764

(1)

Roy Rocket¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 10-3| J: Mr R Birkett| T: John Berry| OR: 67| D

33/1

Has run three times over this C&D in the past and hard not to conclude that he just doesn't see it out well enough. Won on reappearance at Brighton (1m2f) in April but patchy since.

Form: 550535

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to board prices only - deduction 10p in the pound

Non-Runners

(2)

King of Dreams¹

Weight: 10-7| Age: 4

T: D M Simcock J: Mr M S Johnson

(5)

Tobouggaloo¹¹

Weight: 10-5| Age: 6

T: W S Kittow J: Mr James King

Forecasts

C'Est No Mour (5/2), Hollywood Road (10/3), Thames Knight (7/2), Tobouggaloo (4/1), Whinging Willie (9/2), Cotton Club (8/1), Safira Menina (12/1), Star Of Lombardy (14/1), King of Dreams (16/1), Roy Rocket (33/1)

Hollywood Road comes here with a good chance off a decent weight, while the booking Derek O'Connor can only be seen as a positive. Similarly, Simon Walker is an advantage in the saddle for C'est No Mour, twice a winner over shorter this season and coming here having shown a good aptitude for this test at Newmarket recently. Whinging Willie, a regular at the track, and Star Of Lombardy are worth a look but this can go to TOUBOUGGALOO, a rather unfortunate loser last time. She was destined to complete a Chepstow hat-trick when equipment gave way and the saddle slipped inside the final furlong. Clearly thriving, she's off the same mark here and can atone.