16:10 Epsom Downs

Sunday 30 September 2018

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:15

Gary Sears 60th Birthday Celebration Handicap

Off time: 16:12 | Winning time: 1m 22.73s

(1)

Dourado³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jason Watson⁽³⁾| T: P R Chamings| OR: 80| CD

10/3

Ran well on first two starts this season, but hasn't quite met expectations the last twice, behind Corazon Espinado over C&D last time. Not best placed as things went there, but needs his best form now.

Form: 31-2454

(3)

Mamillius¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: P Cosgrave| T: George Baker| OR: 79| D

7/1

Not as consistent as his form figures would suggest, but ran well when ½L second of 8 to Areen Heart at Lingfield last time, albeit with the run of things from the front. Needs a bit more.

Form: 133332

(7)

Lord Clenaghcastle⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: G & J Moore| OR: 79| C| D

16/1

Much his best effort this year when winning a 7f handicap at Sandown in July. Ran a stinker at Brighton last time, however, and free-going tendencies often compromise his effort.

Form: 75-4510

(5)

Zeyzoun^h⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: T P Queally| T: C F Wall| OR: 76| D

8/1

Best efforts on an easy surface, and bounced back from a couple of modest efforts when good 1½L third of 13 to Lady Freyja in 6f handicap at Newmarket last month. Conditions fine, and sound claims if he settles.

Form: 31-4043

(4)

Poetic Force^t²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: George Downing| T: A W Carroll| OR: 76

14/1

In good form earlier in the summer, winning at Lingfield and twice runner-up subsequently. Form has dipped on last two starts, and very laboured at Sandown last time, so needs to bounce back.

Form: 412270

(9)

Suzi's Connoisseur^t,v³³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Bentley| T: S C Williams| OR: 75| D

16/1

No doubting his talent, but looks increasingly hard to win with these days despite getting plenty of help from the handicapper, and cannot be backed with any great confidence as a result.

Form: 364557

(12)

Sans Souci Bay^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 74| D

16/1

Got his head back in front at Chester earlier in the campaign but he's struggled to make a major impact since and his tendency to miss the break tends to cost him. Respectable efforts last twice, but others more solid.

Form: 668054

(10)

De Vegas Kid²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Poppy Bridgwater⁽⁵⁾| T: A W Carroll| OR: 73| D

8/1

Has won five of his last six in handicaps, and while it could be argued that he's nearing his limit, he was better than ever when winning by 6L at Brighton last time. Up in class now, which will test him, but folly to dismiss.

Form: 111311

(11)

Walk On Walter^h⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: J G Portman| OR: 75

20/1

Largely consistent this year for David Simcock, with two novice wins to his name; ran respectably on his handicap debut but finished last of four at Brighton last month before changing hands. Risky.

Form: 212144

(6)

Glenn Coco^t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: S De Sousa| T: S C Williams| OR: 72| D

3/1

Remains a maiden on turf, but coming to the boil at the moment, and ran his best race of the year when second of 9 to Game Player at Newmarket (7f, good/soft) last time. Should go well again, and shortlisted.

Form: 958232

(2)

Port Of Call^p¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 70| CD

7/1

Gained back-to-back wins over C&D last month and matched that form when third of 12 to Harbour Approach at Kempton last time. Clearly in the form of his life, and still on a workable mark, but up in class now.

Form: 408113

Non-Runners

(8)

Satchville Flyer¹⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 7

T: P D Evans J: Rossa Ryan

Forecasts

Glenn Coco (3/1), Dourado (10/3), Mamillius (7/1), Port Of Call (7/1), Zeyzoun (8/1), De Vegas Kid (8/1), Satchville Flyer (8/1), Poetic Force (14/1), Lord Clenaghcastle (16/1), Suzi's Connoisseur (16/1), Sans Souci Bay (16/1), Walk On Walter (20/1)

GLENN COCO has been shaping up well in recent starts, and can break his duck on turf with de Sousa taking over the steering. Zeyzoun went into the notebook when second to Lady Freyja at Newmarket last month, and looks the main danger if ready after a break, although the thriving De Vegas Kid can't be ruled out after his latest romp at Brighton.