14:35 Epsom Downs

Friday 31 May 2019

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

Investec Mile Handicap

Off time: 14:37 | Winning time: 1m 42.76s

(1)

Seniority¹²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: W J Haggas| OR: 101| BF

11/2

Won valuable handicap at Goodwood last year but seemingly held by the handicapper in subsequent runs. Back to just 3lb below his last winning handicap mark and each-way claims with track/ground to suit.

Form: 8160-48

(5)

Hors De Combat¹³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D J Coakley| OR: 97

14/1

Just one win since 2014 and below form at Meydan this winter. Back below his last winning mark and produced a better effort in first-time cheekpieces on return at Newbury last time but that headgear is left off and he needs a strong pace to aim at.

Form: 04-0905

(15)

Hortzadar¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 96| D

17/2

Bolted up on debut for this yard at Pontefract (8L) and followed up under a penalty at Redcar last time. Only sixth of 14 at York last time from revised handicap mark but not one to rule out just yet with the yard in form.

Form: 218-116

(4)

Firmament^p¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Shane Gray| T: D O'Meara| OR: 94

16/1

Hasn't won in 32 starts in a run that stretches back to 2014 but back down to a workable handicap mark as a result and produced his best effort for some time in a competitive race at York earlier this month; up 1lb and needs to build on that now.

Form: 6334-02

(13)

Greenside²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Bentley| T: H Candy| OR: 94

6/1

Gained a first win since 2017 at Windsor last time, confirming the promise of a good run at Newbury on his return to action. Up 4lb in a deeper race but has won from this handicap mark and not ruled out; draw not ideal.

Form: 9/544-41

(6)

Wahash¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 94

11/1

Just two wins in 26 starts but they both came on AW and yet to win in 20 turf outings. Back on his last winning mark and ran well on sole appearance here back in 2017 so not one to rule out.

Form: 6-09356

(14)

Masham Star⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93

6/1

On a losing run at present but back on a nice handicap mark as a result and he's been in good form of late with a couple of placed efforts in lesser races. Wide draw not ideal but could go well with De Sousa retaining the ride.

Form: 002632

(3)

Nicklaus²⁵⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 93

14/1

Largely in good form throughout his three-year-old career, winning three times culminating in a win at Yarmouth. Up 4lb in a deeper race now though and it's a tough test on seasonal bow.

Form: 411301-

(7)

Rufus King¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92

20/1

Hasn't won on turf since 2017 but produced one of his better efforts last time at Newmarket. Step back up in trip may suit but not the most reliable and this is much tougher.

Form: 93-0093

(8)

History Writer^t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Watson| T: D Menuisier| OR: 91| BF

6/1

Sole win in 11 starts came at Sandown last summer. Handicapper has been slow to relent subsequently though and he was a beaten favourite in a lesser race at Sandown last time; bit to prove at present.

Form: 6504-73

(9)

Gossiping²³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-7| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: G & J Moore| OR: 87| D

10/1

Was badly out of form most of last year but has bounced back of late with wins at Kempton and Chester. Probably not the strongest race at the latter last time though and plenty more needed from 4lb higher against these rivals.

Form: 890-011

(11)

Breanski¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: David Egan| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 84

25/1

Won his first two starts for this yard but struggling on his last couple of starts. May come on for the run last time, though he's probably better over 7f than this trip.

Form: 19750-9

(2)

Ghayadh^h,t¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: K T O'Neill| T: S C Williams| OR: 84

50/1

In good form at the back end of last year but has been well below form in three starts this year and has failed to beat a rival home on his last two starts. While he's back below his last winning handicap mark, others make more appeal at present.

Form: 421-606

(10)

Arigato^p¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Josephine Gordon| T: W Jarvis| OR: 82| CD

20/1

Won back-to-back races in 2018, the latter of which was a C&D success in August. Well beaten on return to action when too keen at Newmarket though and still 5lb above his last winning handicap mark.

Form: 21130-6

Non-Runners

(12)

Hayadh¹⁵

Weight: 8-11| Age: 6

T: Rebecca Bastiman J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Seniority (11/2), Greenside (6/1), Masham Star (6/1), History Writer (6/1), Hortzadar (17/2), Gossiping (10/1), Hayadh (10/1), Wahash (11/1), Nicklaus (14/1), Hors De Combat (14/1), Firmament (16/1), Arigato (20/1), Rufus King (20/1), Breanski (25/1), Ghayadh (50/1)

It's fair to say FIRMAMENT isn't easy to win with but it was a much improved effort at York last time and he's well-handicapped if he can build on that here. Stablemate Hortzadar may still have more to give for his new yard and wasn't disgraced at York last time but Masham Star could be the main danger with De Sousa booked to ride having shaped like a win may be near on his last couple of starts.