14:00 Epsom Downs

Saturday 1 June 2019

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

Investec Private Banking Handicap

Off time: 14:03 | Winning time: 2m 4.37s

(2)

Nayef Road¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 105| D

4/1

Has won three of his last five starts and impressive when bolting up at Newmarket on return. Well beaten in the Dante last time but respected back down in class here and fast ground should suit.

Form: 1173-16

(5)

Creationist⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Jason Watson| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 94

10/1

Won twice on AW this winter and ran with credit in Listed class at Newcastle last time when fifth of 11. Makes turf/handicap debut and could easily have more to give; steps up in trip.

Form: 3-115

(7)

Victory Command⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 93

11/1

Won four times as a juvenile, most notably a 7f Listed race at Ascot. Hasn't been in quite the same form this time but it was a better effort when third of 14 at Haydock last time; potentially well handicapped if building on that up in trip.

Form: 390483

(9)

The Trader¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 92

7/2

Improved from debut to win his next two starts and while his form tailed off in 2018, he's returned with two better efforts in defeat this campaign. May have more to give over this trip this season.

Form: 1147-25

(8)

Red Hot²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-6| J: Barry McHugh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90

11/1

Improved from debut to win her next start at Newcastle and produced a creditable effort in Listed class at Chester last time out. Drop back in trip could suit and potentially on a nice mark for handicap debut.

Form: 41-5

(6)

Alkaamel²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Chris Hayes| T: W J Haggas| OR: 89

6/1

Rattled off a hat-trick on AW this winter and has been running well since returned to turf, runner-up to a well-handicapped sort at Newmarket last time. 3lb rise for that is fair and every chance he will appreciate this step up in trip.

Form: 111222

(4)

Le Don De Vie³⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: M Dwyer| T: A M Balding| OR: 86| C

5/1

Shaped with promise in three starts as a juvenile and won at this venue on return in a six runner novice event. Revised mark in a deeper race asks for more but step up in trip looks sure to eke out more.

Form: 353-1

(1)

Politicise^p1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-1| J: J F Egan| T: W J Haggas| OR: 85| BF

6/1

Improved from debut to win at Newbury in September. Some respectable efforts in defeat since but needs to settle better than he did last time to take advantage of this mark; wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 612-33

(3)

Kheros¹⁴⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-1| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 85

25/1

Winner at Kempton on debut but hasn't managed to replicate that form in two starts since. Handicapper hasn't taken any chances with his opening handicap mark and needs to have improved in the interim on first start since January.

Form: 13-5

Forecasts

The Trader (7/2), Nayef Road (4/1), Le Don De Vie (5/1), Alkaamel (6/1), Politicise (6/1), Creationist (10/1), Victory Command (11/1), Red Hot (11/1), Kheros (25/1)

ALKAAMEL has been running well in defeat of late and while he goes up the handicap for not winning last time out, there's every chance he will improve for this step up in trip. Le Don De Vie is another one who will appreciate this greater stamina test. Victory Command makes most appeal from Mark Johnston's trio after a promising performance last time out.