17:50 Epsom Downs

Friday 31 May 2019

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

Investec Zebra Handicap

Off time: 17:53 | Winning time: 1m 22.14s

(3)

Adorable²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 97| D

8/1

Listed winner in France for Mick Channon and bought for 450,000 gns this winter by new connections. Showed very little on debut for this yard last time out but likely to do better at some stage and drop in trip is interesting.

Form: 10378-8

(4)

Shady Mccoy²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 10-0| J: Jim Crowley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 97| D

25/1

Won back-to-back races in 2017 but failed to get on the board last year and well below form in two starts this time around. Still 6lb above his last winning mark and others make more appeal at present; habitual slow starter.

Form: 4323-07

(10)

Love Dreams^b⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 95| BF| D

7/1

Unlucky not to get his head back in front this season. Went too quick on the front end at Goodwood last time and remains 5lb below his last winning handicap mark. Fair chance he can make his presence felt if he can get to the front here.

Form: 092244

(5)

Alemaratalyoum^t²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S C Williams| OR: 94| D

14/1

Won four times in 2018 but disappointing in two starts for this yard since being bought for 58,000 gns in October. Should bounce back at some stage but still above his last winning handicap mark and very best efforts have come in testing conditions.

Form: 2181-00

(7)

Nobleman's Nest^p,t1²⁵³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: S De Sousa| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 94| D

10/1

Seemingly hasn't been the easiest to train having only made it to the track three times last year but get his head back in front on reappearance at Yarmouth when dropped in trip. May come on for that and respected in first-time tongue-tie.

Form: 17/7551-

(6)

Ripp Orf²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Hayley Turner| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 94| D

7/2

All four of his wins came last season and very effective when he gets a decent pace to aim at. Disappointed when sent off joint favourite in this race last year but back below his last winning mark and is one to consider.

Form: 429-505

(1)

Hateya³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: J R Boyle| OR: 94| CD

9/2

Won three times last year, the last of which was a six-runner C&D handicap. Has largely held her form well in defeat since and a return to this trip could suit. Holds no secrets from the handicapper but an interesting contender nonetheless.

Form: 8245-32

(8)

War Glory⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 93| D

8/1

Just one win from 20 starts on turf when getting his head in front on soft ground at Lingfield two starts back. Only narrowly denied subsequently at Sandown in a decent looking race and 1lb well in on ratings. Can't be ruled out in current mood.

Form: 046612

(12)

Gabrial The Devil¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 86

33/1

Has won twice since joining this yard last year but he looks a sprinter and best efforts have come over 6f. Has disappointed in two outings this year and wide draw isn't ideal.

Form: 1220-98

(9)

Blackheath²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: L P Keniry| T: E Walker| OR: 85| D

16/1

Fairly consistent sort who won twice last year, over this trip at Wolverhampton and Salisbury over 6f. Creeping up the weights without winning since though and up another 1lb for finishing second in a weaker race than this at Windsor last time.

Form: 8242-62

(2)

Corazon Espinado²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: S Dow| OR: 82| CD

7/1

Dual course winner who returns just 2lb above his last winning handicap mark after some moderate efforts of late. Not one to discount at this venue and the likely pace angle in this.

Form: 225-564

(11)

Start Time⁶¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: G Mosse| T: P T Midgley| OR: 77| D

25/1

Won back-to-back races at Thirsk in the summer and gives the impression he could make into a useful 7f specialist. May have needed the return run when eighth of 19 at Doncaster last time but shouldn't be ruled out if he can come on for that run.

Form: 41167-8

Forecasts

Ripp Orf (7/2), Hateya (9/2), Corazon Espinado (7/1), Love Dreams (7/1), War Glory (8/1), Adorable (8/1), Nobleman's Nest (10/1), Alemaratalyoum (14/1), Blackheath (16/1), Shady Mccoy (25/1), Start Time (25/1), Gabrial The Devil (33/1)

With a whole load of pace in this contest, it might be worth taking a chance on RIPP ORF who appreciates a decent gallop to aim at. He's now well below his last winning handicap mark and ran well enough at Ascot last time out to suggest he's in good heart. Start Time may have needed his return at Doncaster and has the scope to do better this year while Corazon Espinado is a course specialist edging back down towards his last winning handicap mark.