17:15 Epsom Downs

Friday 31 May 2019

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

Investec Surrey Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 17:18 | Winning time: 1m 22.74s

(3)

Vintage Brut^p²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: T D Easterby| OR: 108

33/1

Won three times in 2018 including two Listed events at either end of the season. Well beaten on Chantilly return though and seemingly no excuses when fourth of five at Haydock last time; may want softer ground; steps up to 7f for the first time.

Form: 8201-74

(5)

Marie's Diamond¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 104

14/1

Group 3 winner at the Curragh last year and only narrowly denied at Goodwood in August when upped to Group 2 company. Hasn't been at quite that level in two runs this year and bombed out at this meeting last year on only try at this venue.

Form: 940-544

(4)

Space Blues¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: C Appleby| OR: 103| D

6/5

Won on debut and while he was a beaten favourite on his first two starts this year, he got back on track in a 19-runner York handicap earlier this month. More needed in this event but he's in good hands and there may be more to come at this trip.

Form: 1-421

(6)

Urban Icon²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Tom Marquand| T: R Hannon| OR: 107

7/2

A winner of his first two starts and ran with credit on reappearance at Newbury when third of eight. Not disgraced upped in class in the Guineas when only 2¼L behind third and those who raced in main group. Could go well now dropped in trip/class.

Form: 11-38

(2)

Angel's Hideaway²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 109

11/4

Won her maiden at Haydock before landing a Group 3 at Ascot later in the season. Produced a respectable third in the Nell Gwyn on return and put in an even better effort when fourth of 15 in the 1,000 Guineas; that's possibly the best form on offer.

Form: 1982-34

(1)

Miss Celestial^b²⁶⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 90| D

33/1

Has won two of her five starts, not at her best when refusing to settle in a Doncaster Group 2 when last seen. This looks no easier and up against it here on seasonal bow, as her official rating suggests.

Form: 13418-

(8)

Sunday Star¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: G Mosse| T: E Walker| OR: 98| D

20/1

Improved from debut to finish runner-up at Goodwood and confirmed the promise of that run with a maiden success at Newmarket. Took a step forward from her reappearance to finish fourth of 11 at York; drop in trip may be in her favour but needs more.

Form: 0213-04

Non-Runners

(7)

Happy Power²⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: A M Balding J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Space Blues (6/5), Angel's Hideaway (11/4), Urban Icon (7/2), Happy Power (6/1), Marie's Diamond (14/1), Sunday Star (20/1), Vintage Brut (33/1), Miss Celestial (33/1)

ANGEL'S HIDEAWAY and Urban Icon both bring Classic form into this and preference is for the former after her fine effort in the 1,000 Guineas. The drop in class is an obvious positive and the form has already been boosted by the winner going on to land the Irish 1,000 Guineas on Sunday. Urban Icon isn't dismissed lightly and the drop in trip could suit him. It looks significant that Silvestre De Sousa chooses to ride Happy Power over Vintage Brut who is forced to carry a penalty; the former should be able to make his presence felt back against his own age group.