15:55 Epsom Downs

Wednesday 24 April 2019

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

Investec City And Suburban Handicap

Off time: 15:57 | Winning time: 2m 6.65s

(1)

Mildenberger³⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: James Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 107

10/3

Dual Listed winner placed also in three Group Two's. Last seen finishing second to subsequent multiple Group One winner Roaring Lion in last year's Dante. Big weight but expect him to be a Group horse again this season so every chance he's too good.

Form: 1313/12-

(9)

Crossed Baton²⁵²

5/1

C&D Blue Riband winner on this day 12 months ago. Failed to build on that although he was twice Group placed afterwards. Well behind Mildenberger in the Dante a year ago but still not ruled out.

Form: 117226-

(12)

Lucius Tiberius¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 102| D

7/1

Three-time winner for Aidan O'Brien far from disgraced on stable bow when fourth of six in Group Two Prix D'Harcourt earlier this month. Only 1lb higher than handicap win last summer and looks a leading player.

Form: 10004-4

(11)

Aquarium²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 100| C| D

14/1

Five-time winner clearly thrives on his racing and ran best race for some time latest when a head second at Chelmsford. Handicap is still within range for sure but suspect other's could be seriously well in.

Form: 908502

(8)

Banditry^h¹¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 98| CD

40/1

Seven-time winner but not since 2017. Never involved when 24th of 26 in Spring Cup at Newbury and easy to oppose after that.

Form: 37284-0

(5)

Mountain Angel¹⁹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 96| BF

7/2

Won first time out last season in convincing fashion and remained competitive until last start when eight behind Aquarium. Could be the sort who is best fresh so big danger although all his best form with cut in the ground.

Form: 133228-

(2)

Aasheq¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 96| D

12/1

Won three times last season and already a winner at Pontefract this season (1m2f, good to firm). Only up 2lb but faces opposition of a very different level today and may well struggle.

Form: 02350-1

(13)

Desert Wind²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: S Donohoe| T: E F Vaughan| OR: 93| D

11/2

Three-time AW winner has showed aptitude for turf in two of his three races to date. Pleasing reappearance third at Kempton on the AW latest and wouldn't rule out a bold bid here.

Form: 11244-3

(3)

Mazzuri¹⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Jason Watson| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 92

22/1

Twice a winner at Gowran Park over 1m1½f on good to firm last season for previous connections. Ended season with career best effort when second in an AW Listed race at Dundalk. Upped 5lb for that.

Form: 432162-

(6)

Mythical Madness^v¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: S De Sousa| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92| D

14/1

Endured a frustrating time since July success last year. Ran well when last seen at Lingfield (NR since when breaking out of the stalls early) but this a considerably tougher ask so others preferred.

Form: 245552

(4)

Wingingit¹⁶⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 92| D

25/1

Won twice for Noel Meade in spring 2017 but yet to add to that for this yard. Highly tried in her defence last autumn but could say the same here.

Form: 082677-

Non-Runners

(7)

What About Carlo¹⁴⁰

Weight: 9-2| Age: 8

T: Eve Johnson Houghton J: Charles Bishop

(10)

Al Jellaby²⁵

Weight: 8-5| Age: 4

T: C G Cox J: Hollie Doyle

Forecasts

Mildenberger (10/3), Mountain Angel (7/2), Crossed Baton (5/1), Desert Wind (11/2), Lucius Tiberius (7/1), Al Jellaby (10/1), Aasheq (12/1), Aquarium (14/1), Mythical Madness (14/1), What About Carlo (20/1), Mazzuri (22/1), Wingingit (25/1), Banditry (40/1)

It is hoped that Mark Johnston's classy four-year-old MILDENBERGER can make up for lost time this season and last season's Dante runner-up could just prove too classy for a handicap, even a strong one such as this. C&D winner 12 months ago, Crossed Baton may provide the sternest opposition and Lucius Tiberius can provide a clean sweep for those atop the weights after a sound effort in a French Group Two on his stable bow.