14:35 Epsom Downs

Thursday 14 September 2017

All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:45

Focus Rigging Handicap

Off time: 14:37 | Winning time: 1m 46.15s

(6)

Traveller^t¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd⁽³⁾| T: C Hills| OR: 75

5/1

Sole success to date was on the Polytrack at Lingfield (7f) in February, but has been placed several times since on turf, including here over 7f last time. 1lb rise for that won't help, so connections will be hopeful that the extra furlong will.

Form: 312443

(2)

Alnasl^h⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Edward Greatrex| T: A Watson| OR: 73| D

11/4

In good form having won at both Wolverhampton (1m1½f, AW) and Musselburgh (1m1f) in August. Not disgraced when stepped up to this grade last time and has each-way claims again.

Form: 324114

(7)

Diamond Bear⁹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Rosie Jessop⁽³⁾| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 73

8/1

Out of sorts in two starts this term after scoring over 1m at Brighton (good) last October. 3lb drop will help, as may this drop in trip, though she does have a bit to prove at present.

Form: 591-50

(5)

Lord Commander³¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: D Nolan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 72

20/1

Beaten just over 1L in a Nottingham maiden in May, but well held in three handicaps so far and he looks in need of further assistance from the handicapper before making a serious impact in this sphere.

Form: 3-42060

(3)

Natajack³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Adam J McNamara⁽³⁾| T: R A Fahey| OR: 70

6/1

Looks to be the stable's first string on what we have seen so far and scored over this trip at Carlisle (good to soft) in July. Held in both runs since, but now 1lb lower than that success, won't mind any rain and looks a likely player.

Form: 977146

(1)

Unit of Assessment^t1²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Bentley| T: W J Knight| OR: 70

10/1

Yet to win a race, but ran well in defeat on his handicap debut at Yarmouth in July when beaten 2¾L from a 4lb higher mark. Has to put a couple of poor subsequent efforts behind him, but tongue strap may help him do that. Each-way claims.

Form: 002369

(4)

Beaconsfield⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: S De Sousa| T: H Morrison| OR: 60

6/1

Made the frame once in maidens last year but plummeting in the weights since going handicapping and well beaten again at Windsor last time. 3lb drop and better ground may help and given the jockey booking a market check looks prudent.

Form: 0390-88

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 15p in the pound

Non-Runners

(8)

Heart Of Gold³⁶

Weight: 8-12| Age: 3

T: W R Muir J: David Egan

Forecasts

Alnasl (11/4), Heart Of Gold (4/1), Traveller (5/1), Natajack (6/1), Beaconsfield (6/1), Diamond Bear (8/1), Unit of Assessment (10/1), Lord Commander (20/1)

Beaconsfield would be interesting if supported, though is hard to fancy on racecourse form, while Unit Of Assessment could come back to form today if the tongue strap proves to be beneficial. Traveller and Al Nasl have each-way claims again, while Natajack is back on a handy mark and a win would not surprise. However, HEART OF GOLD remains a filly with a bit of potential and with better ground to help her, she might be capable of recording a maiden success today.