17:00 Epsom Downs

Wednesday 25 April 2018

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

Investec Private Banking Handicap

Off time: 17:04 | Winning time: 1m 46.33s

(11)

Akvavera²³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: R M Beckett| OR: 80

7/1

An easier winner than the margin suggested last time at Beverley and refused to settle in that contest early. Likely to improve now handicapping over further and opening mark potentially lenient.

Form: 221-

(9)

Christopher Wood⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Oisin Murphy| T: M L W Bell| OR: 79| BF

3/1

A winner on debut at Salisbury and mixed results in next two starts when unplaced and a beaten odds on favourite. Very encouraging return at Newmarket last week though and given he's due to go up 4lb for that, he's well in here.

Form: 142-2

(10)

Delsheer¹⁹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: L Dettori| T: H Palmer| OR: 79

9/1

Improved from debut to place at Sandown and subsequently won at Windsor, holding on in grim fashion in the closing stages. May do better given more of a stamina test.

Form: 831-

(3)

Deadly Accurate¹⁹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Charlie Bennett⁽³⁾| T: H Morrison| OR: 78| C

22/1

Course winner over 7f in August when making all in impressive fashion. Didn't really kick on from that in two subsequent starts but may do better this year.

Form: 95137-

(2)

Cuban Heel^p¹⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: M Harley| T: C G Cox| OR: 77

8/1

Still a maiden but has been running well in defeat in four starts since his debut. Should get his head in front sooner rather than later but needs to have improved over the winter if he's to win in a handicap off this mark.

Form: 82342-

(8)

Corazon Espinado⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S De Sousa| T: S Dow| OR: 77| D

14/1

Has been running well on AW this winter and arrives in hat-trick bid after successes at Kempton then Wolverhampton. Still shapes like there could be more to come and gets a course specialist in the saddle.

Form: 822-611

(6)

Optimum Time²²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 76

9/1

Winner on debut at Windsor but struggled badly on three subsequent starts. Entitled to need this on first run back and may want relief from the handicapper.

Form: 1090-

(1)

Enzo^t²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Liam Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 76

25/1

Won twice at Brighton last year and while form on that track is a positive to how he will handle this track on first start here, the rest of his form has been poor. That includes reappearance when last of seven at Chelmsford and others preferred.

Form: 71616-7

(7)

Warburton^p1²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: George Wood⁽³⁾| T: C Appleby| OR: 76

8/1

Still a maiden after a trio of starts and no doubt he's shown promise in his three starts. Switch to handicaps and fitting of first-time cheekpieces could see him improve.

Form: 424

(4)

Jack Taylor²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S W Kelly| T: R Hughes| OR: 76

25/1

Won a French AW maiden towards the end of last year and ran a fair race at Southwell on Fibresand debut earlier in the month. Could be even better on turf and step up in trip should see him improve.

Form: 621-32

(5)

Faadhel¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 73

4/1

Slowing improving, though no match for the winner at Wolverhampton last time out. Put up 3lb for that and this is tougher.

Form: 67-42

Forecasts

Christopher Wood (3/1), Faadhel (4/1), Akvavera (7/1), Cuban Heel (8/1), Warburton (8/1), Optimum Time (9/1), Delsheer (9/1), Corazon Espinado (14/1), Deadly Accurate (22/1), Jack Taylor (25/1), Enzo (25/1)

Simon Dow won this race last year and CORAZON ESPINADO gives the impression there's still more improvement to come. Christopher Wood is well in on official ratings after a fine run at HQ last week and he rates as the main danger. Akvavera is another who can't be ruled out in a wide open contest on handicap debut.