14:00 Epsom Downs

Saturday 2 June 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1517:50

Investec Private Banking Handicap

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 2m 7.01s

(8)

Court House¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 104

5/1

Won twice on AW in impressive fashion this winter and just touched off in a valuable conditions race at Kempton by a promising sort in March. Ran well in a three runner Listed race on turf debut and has solid claims back in a handicap here.

Form: 62-1122

(2)

Connect^h1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 100

12/1

Listed winner at Pontefract last year but seemingly gone backwards in two runs this year having not beaten a rival home. Too keen last time, a trait he showed as a juvenile and looks largely reliant on the first-time hood working the oracle.

Form: 4161-70

(7)

Poet's Prince¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 95| D

4/1

Has won three times on AW this winter and only just touched off in a valuable handicap at Newbury on his return to turf last time. Ultra consistent and likely to go well again.

Form: 121212

(10)

Book of Dreams⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 91

17/2

Has lost his way in recent starts but he's the type to bounce back and seems to thrive in rain softened conditions. Handicapper has given him a chance from his reduced mark.

Form: 6-11470

(11)

Ship Of The Fen³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: J F Egan| T: M Meade| OR: 87| D

6/1

Just one win from five starts last year but returned with a career best at Doncaster and while the form of that race has not been done any favours since, he's likely to improve from that run. Not ruled out from 6lb higher.

Form: 35216-1

(3)

Indomeneo¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 85| D

9/1

Seemingly versatile with regards to ground and trip and overcame a slow start in impressive fashion at Ripon last time. Only up 3lb for that run and looks likely to go well again.

Form: 611-061

(6)

Macaque^h1²³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: M Dwyer| T: A M Balding| OR: 85

14/1

Maiden winner at Brighton but that was just a match race and a little hit and miss since. Hung badly at Chelmsford last time and that has to be a negative to his chance here. Wears first-time hood.

Form: 2124-26

(1)

Westbrook Bertie¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: J P Sullivan| T: M R Channon| OR: 81| D

16/1

Off the mark at Salisbury on return, handling conditions well but well beaten on return at Newbury. Has a bit to find on form from out of the handicap but yard have been in good form and can't be ruled out.

Form: 93F4-16

(5)

Corazon Espinado²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: N Mackay| T: S Dow| OR: 81| C

14/1

Recorded a hat-trick with the final win coming here in April over 1m½f. Fine effort in defeat at Ascot subsequently but looks well worth a try over this longer trip. Should go well for local yard.

Form: 2-61114

(9)

Shuhood¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: Gabriele Malune⁽⁵⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 81| D

11/1

Very impressive out of the blue winner at Newmarket last time. Forced to race from 9lb higher here and gets completely different ground but certainly can't be ruled out.

Form: 1-33601

(4)

George⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: S Kirk| OR: 79

8/1

Still a maiden and while one of his best efforts has come around here, he's hard to fancy from so far out of the weights in a competitive heat.

Form: 9222-54

Forecasts

Poet's Prince (4/1), Court House (5/1), Ship Of The Fen (6/1), George (8/1), Book of Dreams (17/2), Indomeneo (9/1), Shuhood (11/1), Connect (12/1), Corazon Espinado (14/1), Macaque (14/1), Westbrook Bertie (16/1)

CORAZON ESPINADO gives the impression he will appreciate this extra distance and arrives in excellent form. Court House is an intriguing runner back down in a handicap while Book Of Dreams looks well-handicapped if he can return to form.