19:15 Epsom Downs

Thursday 4 July 2019

All18:0518:4019:1519:4520:2020:50

Sir Michael Pickard Handicap

Off time: 19:18 | Winning time: 1m 7.89s

(5)

Little Boy Blue^h⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Ryan While⁽⁵⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 90| BF| D

3/1

Has been in relatively good form this season, nothing a success at Brighton two starts ago and wasn't disgraced in 5f Bath handicap eight days ago. Up 8lb since his last success and upped in grade but should run his race. Respected.

Form: 333415

(4)

Count Otto^h¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: P J Dobbs| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 86| D

5/1

Hasn't been in the same form as last season but ran better than the finishing position suggests when eighth in 6f Windsor handicap on latest start. On a workable mark now but needs to spark a revival to be competitive.

Form: 35-8068

(2)

Ashpan Sam^p³³

Age: 10| Weight: 9-6| J: L Morris| T: David Drinkwater| OR: 84| CD

12/1

Veteran who won this contest in 2017 but found C&D handicap too hot to handle on seasonal reappearance. Generally needs first run of the season and is entitled to improve on that effort and had solid place claims.

Form: 14546-0

(7)

Poetic Force^t²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: George Downing| T: A W Carroll| OR: 79

5/1

Fair performer who gained his first win on the turf in a year when landing 1m Bath handicap (good to firm) in early June. Raised 4lb for that effort and isn't bred for sprinting trips. Others make more appeal.

Form: 021591

(1)

Harrogate^b³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 78| D

10/1

Fared better than the result suggested when 4l sixth in 5f Lingfield handicap (standard) last time out but was well beaten over C&D on penultimate start. 3lb above last winning mark and could find it tough in this sphere.

Form: 0-80106

(6)

Handytalk^b¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Rob Hornby| T: B R Millman| OR: 77| BF| D

7/1

Has been in generally good form this season, landing a 6f Salisbury handicap before finishing fifth of 10 at Bath (5f, good to soft) on latest start. Was second in this race a year ago off a 2lb higher mark and is on the shortlist.

Form: 302315

(3)

Highland Acclaim^h¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: D O'Meara| OR: 77| CD

11/4

Admirable performer who is a specialist at this venue, winning five out of his nine career starts here. Well beaten in two-turf runs this season and has plenty to prove, but dangerous to ignore on previous course form.

Form: 114560

Forecasts

Highland Acclaim (11/4), Little Boy Blue (3/1), Count Otto (5/1), Poetic Force (5/1), Handytalk (7/1), Harrogate (10/1), Ashpan Sam (12/1)

Course specialist usually land this type of contests at this track and HANDYTALK is the preference to land the spoils. The six-year-old was unlucky to lose in this race last season and courtesy of his creditable form in lesser contests so far this season, just sneaks in at the bottom of the weights. Little Boy Blue can be forgiven for his run last time out and despite the rise in the handicap, his impressive Brighton victory cannot be ignored, while this race may help course specialist Highland Acclaim revive some of his old form.