14:45 Epsom Downs

Wednesday 25 April 2018

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:2517:00

Investec Blue Riband Trial (Listed) (In Memory Of Anthony Cane)

Off time: 14:46 | Winning time: 2m 11.35s

(1)

Crossed Baton²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| D

11/4

Improved from debut to win at Sandown on second start and returned to action last month, justifying favouritism at Kempton. Form of that race certainly respectable but he may need to improve further here. Yard won this last year with Cracksman.

Form: 61-1

(6)

Dee Ex Bee¹⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96| C

15/8

Highly thought of as a juvenile but he was a little hit and miss in his five starts. Ran well at Newmarket when placed in Listed company on final start of 2017 and he's a player here if he's wintered well.

Form: 16312-

(8)

James Cook^t¹⁸⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 91

7/2

Improved from debut to justify odds-on favouritism at Leopardstown when last seen in October. Form of that race taken a few knocks since and yard's seasonal returners have often needed the run this year.

Form: 21-

(7)

Miles Christianus

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Rowan Scott| T: R J Osborne

150/1

The Carbon Unit colt, full-brother to two useful middle distance winners and half-brother to two milers. Dam was placed in Listed company. Yard's first runner for some time and this colt would have to be very smart to win this first up.

Form:

(3)

My Lord And Master¹⁶⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D Tudhope| T: W J Haggas

5/1

Took a sizable step forward from him debut when making very easy work of a Nottingham maiden in November. Should improve further this year but will need to if he's to get his head in front here on return.

Form: 61-

(4)

Simpson¹⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: P Cosgrave| T: E Walker| OR: 90

25/1

Handicap winner who is more exposed than his rivals here. Experience a positive but looks levels below the required standard here on last year's form and would need to have improved significantly to play a part.

Form: 351332-

(2)

Technological²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: G G Margarson| OR: 87

16/1

Improved from a break and/or a switch to AW this winter, winning two of his four starts. Impressive at Lingfield last time and form on an undulating track is a positive but it would be a surprise if he was at this level.

Form: 06-2121

(5)

Zabriskie¹⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'BrienWS

16/1

Impressive game performance at Tipperary on second start but showed very little in a Group 3 at Newmarket when last seen in October. Has had wind surgery since and looks like the second string on jockey bookings.

Form: 018-

Forecasts

Dee Ex Bee (15/8), Crossed Baton (11/4), James Cook (7/2), My Lord And Master (5/1), Zabriskie (16/1), Technological (16/1), Simpson (25/1), Miles Christianus (150/1)

A fascinating trial for the Derby back here in June. DEE EX BEE rates as the type to have improved over the winter and given he's already showed a good attitude to win races, he could be hard to beat here for a trainer who has them ready to go on seasonal reappearance. Crossed Baton represents John Gosden, the winning trainer of this race for the last three years, and he ran well on return at Kempton last time. James Cook is likely to improve this year and is a 33/1 shot in the betting for the Derby. Many of O'Brien's runners have been in need of the run first up this term though and others make more appeal.