16:50 Epsom Downs

Tuesday 29 August 2017

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5017:20

Molson Coors Handicap

Off time: 16:53 | Winning time: 2m 10.04s

(3)

Squire^t²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: Adam Beschizza| T: M J Attwater| OR: 72| D

8/1

Has not won on turf for two years and although he ran well enough here two starts ago (from 3lb higher), he looks like he might find a couple too good in this field.

Form: 5-24749

(1)

Maraakib^p¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: Harry Bentley| T: D O'Meara| OR: 71| D

4/1

Rain would be a positive as all four of his wins have come when there has been cut in the ground. Has slid to an attractive-looking mark after a not winning for the best part of two years and drops in class again here. Market check suggested.

Form: 885865

(6)

The Gay Cavalier^t²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Jack Osborn⁽⁷⁾| T: J Ryan| OR: 68| CD

9/1

Sole turf success was over C&D (good) last year from a 1lb higher mark and he has been competitive on a few recent occasions, including back here. Probably has each-way claims.

Form: 762445

(5)

Galinthias²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: S Dow| OR: 67

10/1

Won for the only time at Brighton (1m, good to soft) in June and he has been well beaten from only slightly higher marks on fast ground in both subsequent runs. Back on that winning mark, he is respected, though has a bit to prove over this trip.

Form: 2-96157

(9)

Pink Ribbon^p¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Mitch Godwin⁽⁵⁾| T: S Kirk| OR: 66| D

10/1

Won three times last year (including one from 2lb higher). Has rarely threatened from five starts this term and will need to be back to his best if he is to go in again.

Form: 4-82884

(4)

Royal Hall^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 62

25/1

Showed some ability in France in 2015 and 2016, but yet to flourish over hurdles or on the Flat since coming to Britain. Switches to handicapping from a mark that looks no more than fair, though a market check is suggested to gauge any confidence.

Form: 2/695

(7)

Av A Word^p¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S De Sousa| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 67| D

11/4

First try here, but has won all three of his races around similarly quirky Brighton (all over this trip). Up 4lb for one of those last time out and given that he only tends to do the necessary, he may have that improvement in him. Claims.

Form: 173161

(2)

Bayston Hill²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: M D I Usher| OR: 67| D

8/1

Has to be a concern that he was well beaten on his only previous run here, but he did go on to win over this trip at Bath (firm) next time from 2lb lower than today. Each-way claims if he can run to his current level of ability.

Form: 601536

(10)

Epsom Secret³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: J F Egan| T: P Phelan| OR: 59| D

13/2

Best effort so far was when scoring at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) two starts ago. Well held over 1m4f last time and so from 3lb higher again today, others make more appeal.

Form: 326217

Non-Runners

(8)

Oh It's Saucepot¹⁹

Weight: 9-7| Age: 3

T: C F Wall J: Ted Durcan

(11)

Retribution²⁸

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: D R Lanigan J: T P Queally

Forecasts

Av A Word (11/4), Oh It's Saucepot (11/4), Maraakib (4/1), Retribution (6/1), Epsom Secret (13/2), Bayston Hill (8/1), Squire (8/1), The Gay Cavalier (9/1), Pink Ribbon (10/1), Galinthias (10/1), Royal Hall (25/1)

Av A Word is entitled to plenty of respect as he tends to do enough to win and could therefore be capable of defying another 4lb rise, while Retribution is not one to write off despite being beaten when fancied last time. However, OH IT'S SAUCEPOT is in cracking form and Chris Wall's filly should be able to find a bit more improvement for this extra furlong and defy another 4lb rise to complete her hat-trick.