16:20 Epsom Downs

Sunday 1 October 2017

All14:1014:4015:1515:4516:2016:5517:30

Bet totetrifecta At betfred.com Apprentices' Derby Stakes

Off time: 16:24 | Winning time: 2m 47.88s

(8)

C'Est No Mour¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: K Shoemark| T: P Hedger| OR: 85| CD

4/1

Thriving lately, with four wins from his late five. Two most recent have come over C&D, making smooth progress last time to score nicely. Up another 4lb but looks sure to be in the firing line.

Form: 611311

(3)

Compton Mill²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Charlie Bennett| T: H Morrison| OR: 82| D

8/1

Both of his turf wins have been on soft ground at up to 1m4f, including in penultimate outing over this trip at Leicester. Disappointing latest over 1m6f on heavy ground but capable of bouncing back.

Form: 7-33616

(2)

Panko³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Jane Elliott⁽³⁾| T: E De Giles| OR: 79| D

12/1

Has three wins from 17 starts on turf, latest coming over just shy of this trip at Leicester in May off mark of 76. Concern that all wins have come on good or better.

Form: 312656

(5)

Whinging Willie^v³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 78| D

14/1

Regular here but yet to score in 13 attempts, came closest in July over this trip when denied on the line, has less weight to carry now and entitled to claims on that form but was no match for C'est No Mour last time out.

Form: 262267

(13)

State Sovereignty²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: C Lee| T: M Scudamore| OR: 77| BF| D

5/1

Proved a very good buy for £1,500 and has made the transition to the Flat after placed efforts in bumpers. Hacked up by 19L in a poor Catterick maiden (1m4f good), yet not so effective on her Hamilton handicap debut. Not written off yet.

Form: 4214

(6)

Golden Wolf³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Finley Marsh⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 80

3/1

Big Bad Bob gelding has been out of the money just once in seven starts, winning a maiden at Lingfield over 1m2f in August. May be settling for place money at best again in a competitive heat like this.

Form: 242213

(11)

Hatsaway⁹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 73| CD

16/1

Recorded a 2016 hat-trick (including over C&D) and acts well with give in the ground but has struggled off increased rating for a while. Starting to come back down and now just 1lb above previous winning mark.

Form: 860-659

(12)

Inke¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: George Wood| T: J R Boyle| OR: 72

40/1

Front running tactics haven't paid off for the mare recently, fading to finish last on both recent starts at up to 1m2f. Needs to be at the peak of her powers to have a say.

Form: 622480

(7)

Cordite^h¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Tim Clark| T: J R Boyle| OR: 72| CD

16/1

Scored over C&D on fast ground in August in Class 5 event but dropped out like a stone back here last month under a 3lb penalty in a race won by C'est No Mour. Likely can do better than that, but may be playing for place money.

Form: 535418

(4)

Bazooka¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: D Flood| OR: 69| D

12/1

Ended a long losing sequence last time out at Ffos Las over this trip on heavy ground. Doesn't look an obvious contender to follow up.

Form: 505-971

(9)

Star Maker¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Mitch Godwin⁽³⁾| T: S Kirk| OR: 76| D

12/1

Couple of wins at Lingfield this year over just shy of this trip in Class 5 events, this is likely calling for more than was required in landing those prizes.

Form: 715188

Non-Runners

(10)

Fair Power¹⁶

Weight: 9-5| Age: 3

T: S Kirk J: Mitch Godwin

(1)

Viking Hoard³⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: H J L Dunlop J: William Cox

Forecasts

Golden Wolf (3/1), C'Est No Mour (4/1), State Sovereignty (5/1), Compton Mill (8/1), Fair Power (8/1), Bazooka (12/1), Star Maker (12/1), Panko (12/1), Whinging Willie (14/1), Cordite (16/1), Hatsaway (16/1), Viking Hoard (16/1), Inke (40/1)

C'EST NO MOUR may prove capable of continuing his love-affair with the 'other' Derbies over this famous C&D. He has pocketed the Amateur Riders' and Jump Jockeys contests recently and, with just an extra 4lb on board now, is given the nod to land the Apprentices' Derby and complete a unique treble. Dropping back in trip and with some cut in the ground Compton Mill is likely to make his presence felt while Hatsaway is now starting to look appealingly handicapped again on last year's form. Whinging Willie, State Sovereignty and Golden Wolf are amongst those holding valid place claims on form.