17:50 Epsom Downs

Saturday 1 June 2019

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

Investec Asset Management Handicap

Off time: 17:54 | Winning time: 1m 6.20s

(12)

Lake Volta⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 103| C| D

4/1

Gained a fifth win in 22 starts on turf when bolting up at Goodwood last time out. A 5lb rise looks perfectly fair for that effort and while he's yet to win from a mark this high, he has course form to his name and isn't one to rule out.

Form: 7-41031

(9)

Stone Of Destiny⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 102| D

8/1

Won twice on AW for David Simcock and while he's yet to win on turf, he ran a huge race in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot last year. Not at his best on AW this winter but may bounce back after a short absence.

Form: 6-33270

(3)

Reputation¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Barry McHugh| T: Mrs R Carr| OR: 97| CD

9/2

Impressive when winning at Ripon in April and not disgraced from his revised mark when eighth of 21 at York last month. He won this race in 2017 and may have more to give for his new yard this season so can't be ruled out.

Form: 9258-18

(14)

Spanish City¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 95| BF| D

4/1

Won twice last year and running consistently well towards the back end of last year. Narrowly denied at Newmarket on return and may be capable of better still this season; wide draw not ideal though.

Form: 42646-2

(5)

Watchable^p²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 8-11| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D O'Meara| OR: 93| D

8/1

Has really found his form again lately and it was close to a career best at Doncaster last time out. Won't find it as easy to dominate from the front against these rivals but well drawn and could go well.

Form: 243141

(7)

Areen Heart⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Shane Gray| T: D O'Meara| OR: 89

25/1

On a losing run (without a win in 15 starts) but largely consistent on AW this winter. Disappointed behind Lake Volta at Goodwood last time though and needs to bounce back.

Form: 322526

(1)

Squats²²

Age: 7| Weight: 8-6| J: Jason Watson| T: Ian Williams| OR: 88| D

16/1

Won at Newbury last year and while he struggled subsequently, he shaped okay on his return at Ascot. Well-handicapped if he can put it all together on second start for new yard.

Form: 07880-7

(8)

Mountain Peak²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Charlie Bennett| T: E Walker| OR: 88| D

20/1

In good form last year winning three races but showed little on his return and gives the impression he's better over the minimum trip. Still 5lb above his last winning handicap mark and others make more appeal.

Form: 16712-8

(6)

Beyond Equal²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: M Dwyer| T: W S Kittow| OR: 87| D

8/1

Has a fair strike-rate of four wins from 12 starts and while he's unplaced in two outings this year, he possibly would have won if he had settled better last time out, beaten just 1¾L. Likely capable from this mark and an each-way player here.

Form: 5211-74

(11)

Helvetian¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: Theodore Ladd⁽⁵⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 87| D

16/1

Got his head back in front at Salisbury last year and finds himself back below his last winning handicap mark after some below par efforts. Wide draw not ideal here but has each-way claims if he can settle better.

Form: 1595-95

(10)

Ashpan Sam^p²⁶¹

Age: 10| Weight: 8-4| J: Ellie Mackenzie⁽⁷⁾| T: David Drinkwater| OR: 86| CD

40/1

Has won nine of his 68 starts on turf and that includes three C&D wins (two in this race). Lost his way towards the back end of last season and generally needs his first start after an absence.

Form: 914546-

(13)

Manshood^b²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-2| J: J Quinn| T: P T Midgley| OR: 80| D

33/1

Got his head back in front at Wetherby last time out but this draw isn't ideal and he finds himself 4lb out of the handicap here.

Form: 913-961

(4)

Harrogate^b,h1⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-2| J: Gabriele Malune⁽³⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 79| D

20/1

Bounced back to form in fine fashion at Lingfield last time out but this is a whole lot tougher from a long way out of the handicap. Wears first-time hood.

Form: 380-801

(2)

Blaine^b²¹

Age: 9| Weight: 8-2| J: Jamie Gormley⁽³⁾| T: B Barr| OR: 77| CD

33/1

Won this race back in 2016 but has generally been in poor form in recent times, only made it to the course three times last year. Well beaten on return and out of the handicap here.

Form: 0/905U-8

Non-Runners

(17)

Gabrial The Devil¹

Weight: 8-4| Age: 4

T: R A Fahey J: Nicola Currie

(15)

Tawny Port²²

Weight: 8-2| Age: 5

T: S C Williams J: K T O'Neill

(16)

Paddy Power⁷

Weight: 8-2| Age: 6

T: R A Fahey J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Lake Volta (4/1), Spanish City (4/1), Reputation (9/2), Watchable (8/1), Stone Of Destiny (8/1), Beyond Equal (8/1), Paddy Power (8/1), Gabrial The Devil (14/1), Squats (16/1), Helvetian (16/1), Harrogate (20/1), Mountain Peak (20/1), Areen Heart (25/1), Tawny Port (25/1), Manshood (33/1), Blaine (33/1), Ashpan Sam (40/1)

WATCHABLE is still on a workable handicap mark despite winning two of his last three starts and he could be hard to peg back if he gets an easy lead. Stone Of Destiny may have more to give back on turf this season while Spanish City is an interesting runner if his jockey can negotiate this wide draw.