15:20 Nottingham

Sunday 2 June 2019

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:0517:40

DS Derby Salon Handicap

Off time: 15:20 | Winning time: 2m 11.67s

(8)

Htilominlo^p1,t¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Jim Crowley| T: S Kirk| OR: 76

11/2

Six-race maiden but improved for the step up to this distance with two seconds to kick off current campaign. Outclassed last start in the London Gold Cup at Newbury but respected back down to this level and remains open to progress.

Form: 5-43220

(6)

Battle Of Wills¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: P J McDonald| T: J Tate| OR: 76

9/2

Progressed with racing on the AW late last year, making a winning handicap debut at Newcastle (1m). Matched that level when fourth upped to this trip at Newmarket on return and can be involved back in grade. Stable remain in hot form.

Form: 7541-4

(5)

Deebee²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: D Nolan| T: D Carroll| OR: 75

13/2

Raced to a similar solid standard in his first three starts but found the drop back to 7f against him at Wetherby. Tries the trip for the first time on handicap debut but only raced on soft so far and this surface will be a query.

Form: 42-26

(10)

Mayfair Spirit^t³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 74| CD

5/1

Rapidly improving gelding in three starts this year and now on a hat-trick after being upped to this distance. Showed a willing attitude in a higher grade last time so 5lb rise looks manageable. Rates a leading player.

Form: 725-311

(1)

Tribal Commander²²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Watson| T: Ian Williams| OR: 73

16/1

Twice placed as juvenile for Michael Bell (1m) but disappointing the last twice. Sold for 25,000 gns in October of last year and now makes his season and stable debut upped in trip. More needed and market will likely provide a guide.

Form: 2309-

(2)

Fantastic Blue²²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S De Sousa| T: I Mohammed & J Santos| OR: 73

7/2

Showed marked improvement on his final start of three last season when a running on third over an extended mile here (Deebee second). Shaped as though this trip will bring further improvement. Good jockey booking for handicap and season debut.

Form: 503-

(3)

Avenue Foch²¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 72

13/2

Improved effort on his fourth start for Luca Cumani last season when switching to the AW for handicap debut. Out of a half-sister to St Leger winner Milan and bred to appreciate this longer trip for season and stable debut. Likely to be competitive.

Form: 7483-

(11)

Doughan Alb¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 72

20/1

Switched to turf the last twice but has failed to match his debut neck second on the AW at Lingfield. Pedigree suggests another crack at this far should be fine for handicap debut and chances depend on returning to the level he showed initially.

Form: 285

(7)

Salam Zayed²⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: P Hanagan| T: R A Fahey| OR: 67

20/1

Six-race maiden disappointed last season following promise of debut and now gelded for stable and season debut since leaving Brian Meehan's yard for 15,000 gns. Remains best watched unless significant support.

Form: 547606-

(4)

Barb's Prince¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: K T O'Neill| T: Ian Williams| OR: 55

50/1

Joined this stable for 8,000 gns following three starts last year for Amanda Perrett but tailed off on season and handicap debut. Up in distance but hard to make a case for.

Form: 907-0

Non-Runners

(9)

Pop The Cork²⁷

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: J & A O'Neill J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Fantastic Blue (7/2), Battle Of Wills (9/2), Mayfair Spirit (5/1), Htilominlo (11/2), Avenue Foch (13/2), Deebee (13/2), Tribal Commander (16/1), Salam Zayed (20/1), Doughan Alb (20/1), Pop The Cork (20/1), Barb's Prince (50/1)

A very open handicap with a number holding very similar chances. Avenue Foch always looked the type who would improve with time for his former stable and is very interesting up in distance. Mayfair Spirit has every chance of landing a hat-trick and is up to defying this revised mark. Htilominlo was well tried last time and this is more realistic while Battle of Wills can also improve again likewise back in class. A chance is taken that FANTASTIC BLUE will improve significantly now stepping up in distance and looks on an attractive opening mark.