15:20 Epsom Downs

Wednesday 25 April 2018

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

Investec Corporate Banking Great Metropolitan Handicap

Off time: 15:23 | Winning time: 2m 40.36s

(6)

Fire Fighting¹⁹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: A Kirby| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 96| C| D

12/1

Very consistent sort, latest win came at Lingfield last month. On a feasible mark but ground is the main concern here.

Form: 895153

(7)

Shabeeb²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Varian| OR: 96| BF

9/2

Both wins have come on fast ground and struggled in handicaps last term. Disappointing favourite at Newcastle last time when fifth of 14 and more needed here.

Form: 56/003-5

(5)

Royal Line³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 95| BF| D

5/1

Won his first two starts and returned to form with a respectable effort in the November Handicap at Doncaster. A shade disappointing back there last time in a four runner affair but may come on for that run.

Form: 1137-3

(12)

Faithful Mount⁵⁰⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: George Downing| T: Ian Williams| OR: 88| D

50/1

He improved on the Flat last summer and ran okay in two starts over hurdles this winter. Hard to think he's that well-handicapped at present though.

Form: 455117/

(9)

Shabbah⁴⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: R L Moore| T: J Tuite| OR: 86

7/1

Won three on the spin over 1m2f at the beginning of the summer but failed to get his head in front in eight runs since, including on seasonal return and yard debut last time out. Bit to prove at present.

Form: 4/4802-6

(11)

Lorelina¹⁸⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: William Cox⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 85| C

6/1

Course winner in 2016 and ran well here in August when narrowly defeated before going on to win at Ffos Las. Fine effort at Newbury when just beaten last time and while she's up in the weights for that, there could be more to come upped in trip.

Form: 322182-

(1)

C'Est No Mour²⁰⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: P Hedger| OR: 85| CD

12/1

Won four of his last six starts, all towards the back end of last season and two of which came over C&D. Positioned too far back in C&D hat-trick bid when last seen but every chance he's still on a feasible mark.

Form: 113116-

(3)

Golden Wolf²⁰⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 84| BF

8/1

Just a maiden win to his name but ran a blinder over C&D when last seen and may have done better if granted a clear run. Gives the impression he's still well-handicapped but yard are a little quiet.

Form: 422132-

(8)

Fearsome³³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: L Morris| T: N P Littmoden| OR: 83| D

16/1

Won back-to-back races at Lingfield over the winter on first two starts for this yard and only narrowly touched off by Fire Fighting last time. Has run well on turf before so interesting to see what the market makes of him on return.

Form: 3-11542

(10)

Whinging Willie¹⁷⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 8-9| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 83| CD

16/1

C&D winner of apprentice handicap here in October (had some of these behind) before disappointing at Nottingham when last seen. He's the type that needs everything to drop right and perhaps opposable off career high mark.

Form: 226716-

(2)

Berrahri²⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: Josephine Gordon| T: J R Best| OR: 79| C

20/1

Course winner here last year and backed that up at Chester but struggled off his revised mark for the remainder of the campaign and shown very little in two outings on AW this term.

Form: 4335-84

(13)

Native Fighter³³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: David Egan⁽³⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 78| D

15/2

Has had just four starts since moving to the UK and has landed back-to-back Kempton wins on last couple of runs. Only narrowly got up last time though and needs more improvement from out of the handicap here.

Form: 44-3211

(4)

Ardamir³⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-7| J: George Wood⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 73

66/1

Still a maiden after 20 Flat starts and has plenty on here from 8lb out of the handicap.

Form: 5-43333

Forecasts

Shabeeb (9/2), Royal Line (5/1), Lorelina (6/1), Shabbah (7/1), Native Fighter (15/2), Golden Wolf (8/1), Fire Fighting (12/1), C'Est No Mour (12/1), Fearsome (16/1), Whinging Willie (16/1), Berrahri (20/1), Faithful Mount (50/1), Ardamir (66/1)

C'EST NO MOUR has proven how effective he is at the course and can be forgiven his run when last seen. A useful claimer taking off 5lb should help Lorelina in a bid for another course success but Golden Wolf still looks well-handicapped here and could be the main danger.