17:15 Epsom Downs

Saturday 2 June 2018

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

Investec Out Of The Ordinary Handicap

Off time: 17:18 | Winning time: 2m 35.56s

(15)

Great Hall²³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-7| J: Fran Berry| T: M Quinn| OR: 104| C| D

25/1

Rattled off a hat-trick towards the back end of last year and got his head back in front at Ripon in April. Acts in soft ground but will need a career best from this mark and draw isn't ideal.

Form: 6-23415

(7)

Soldier In Action¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 103| CD

14/1

Out of form of late but back on a workable handicap mark and has a C&D success to his name having won this race last year. Return to turf could spark a revival and not ruled out.

Form: 1-44866

(19)

Grandee²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 102| D

25/1

Listed winner at Leopardstown last year but that's his only success since his maiden win. Likely he'll find his form again for his new yard at some stage but he was disappointing last time and has a wide draw to cope with.

Form: 9367-20

(18)

Across The Stars⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 100| BF| D

7/1

Losing run goes all the way back to a Group 2 success in 2016 and while he's not the easiest to predict, he's on a fair mark at least. Won't mind the ground here and has each-way claims with Moore booked.

Form: 7-56282

(17)

Eddystone Rock²⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J R Best| OR: 99

14/1

Just one win since joining this stable coming at York in August. Has failed to land a blow in two runs this year and may need some relief from the handicapper before he's of interest again.

Form: 03-9005

(6)

Pacify³⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 96

8/1

Doesn't win often but has run some of his better races here, as seen when fourth of 10 here last time. More needed in a more competitive race though.

Form: 00527-4

(1)

Mutamaded¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: J P Sullivan| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 95

33/1

Seemingly a Ripon specialist having won three times at that course but the fact he handles undulations is a positive for his chance here. Acts in the ground and less exposed than many so he can't be ruled out.

Form: 9-41015

(14)

Reshoun²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: Ian Williams| OR: 94| D

11/2

Lost his maiden tag at Doncaster towards the end of last season, quickening well off a slow pace and shaped with promise on his return last time at Newmarket. More improvement to come and he should enjoy the ground here.

Form: 67231-6

(10)

Star Of The East⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93| C| D

8/1

Course winner who got his head back in front in game fashion at Chester last time, making it two wins from his last three starts. Clearly thriving at present and handles cut in the ground so can't be dismissed.

Form: 4-47121

(3)

Melting Dew²³²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: David Probert| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 91

14/1

Both wins have come on AW but has run well in some valuable handicaps on turf. Won on seasonal return last year and there could be more to come.

Form: 326220-

(12)

Maquisard⁴⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-5| J: P Mathers| T: G & J Moore| OR: 88| D

50/1

Won races over similar trips in France and he was a big priced winner for his new yard over hurdles in March. Hard to imagine he's too well-handicapped back in this sphere.

Form: 133639-

(2)

Golden Wolf³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Wayne Lordan| T: R Hughes| OR: 87

8/1

Ultra consistent sort who has placed twice over C&D on his last two starts. Plenty to like about both of those efforts and won't mind conditions here. Should go well.

Form: 22132-2

(9)

Dash Of Spice¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: S De Sousa| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 87| BF

11/4

Ran well here when still a little green on second start and improved to win at Lingfield in December. Has run well twice since and more improvement looks likely stepped up in trip here.

Form: 421-22

(8)

Oden^p⁷⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: N J Gifford| OR: 85

50/1

A winner at Brighton on final start for Roger Varian. Didn't run any sort of race on debut for this yard over hurdles and mark back in this sphere looks a little stiff. Others preferred.

Form: 0/8321-

(11)

Lorelina³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-2| J: Hayley Turner| T: A M Balding| OR: 85| C

14/1

Largely running well last year, though only got her head in front once when winning at Ffos Las on heavy ground. Worth another try at this trip but hung badly here last time out and suitability of the track has to be a concern after that run.

Form: 22182-0

(4)

Whinging Willie^v³⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 8-2| J: Noel Garbutt⁽³⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 83| CD

28/1

Clearly acts well on an undulating track having done most of his winning at Brighton, Lingfield and here. Well beaten on return though and needs to take his form to a new level to have a chance here from a career high mark.

Form: 26716-7

(16)

Barwick⁴¹

Age: 10| Weight: 8-2| J: N Mackay| T: George Baker| OR: 81| CD

50/1

Dual C&D winner but only seen five times last year and has work to do from out of the handicap.

Form: 0315-42

Non-Runners

(13)

Twin Star²¹

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: Oisin Murphy

(5)

Grand Inquisitor²²

Weight: 8-7| Age: 6

T: Ian Williams J: Joey Haynes

Forecasts

Dash Of Spice (11/4), Reshoun (11/2), Across The Stars (7/1), Golden Wolf (8/1), Pacify (8/1), Star Of The East (8/1), Melting Dew (14/1), Lorelina (14/1), Soldier In Action (14/1), Eddystone Rock (14/1), Twin Star (14/1), Great Hall (25/1), Grandee (25/1), Grand Inquisitor (25/1), Whinging Willie (28/1), Mutamaded (33/1), Maquisard (50/1), Oden (50/1), Barwick (50/1)

Mark Johnston won this last year with Soldier In Action and while he has claims of back-to-back renewals, STAR OF THE EAST is narrowly preferred. The course winner won't mind the ground here and got his head back in front last time at Chester. Reshoun, Golden Wolf and Dash Of Spice are all respected given their unexposed profiles in a wide open renewal.