19:40 Epsom Downs

Thursday 18 July 2019

All18:0018:3519:1019:4020:1520:45

Premier Companies Handicap

Off time: 19:40 | Winning time: 1m 24.27s

(6)

Key Player¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 83| D

7/1

Finished last of four at Doncaster (7f, good to firm) latest but didn't run a bad race all things considered; that said, is probably high enough in the weights following May's Brighton win (7f); is likely to handle the Epsom undulations/camber.

Form: 840124

(2)

Sir Busker^v¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: W J Knight| OR: 87| BF| D

11/10

A progressive 3yo who has drawn considerable benefit for the introduction of a visor; now rated 10lb higher than when scoring at Brighton (7f, good to soft) in June; beaten ¾L by Revich over C&D a fortnight ago; solid.

Form: 28-5412

(5)

Mamillius³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: P Cosgrave| T: George Baker| OR: 79| BF| D

10/1

Brighton regular; twice a 7f winner at the south coast venue, including when beating Dream Catching by 1¾L in April; turned in a lacklustre performance there latest; firmly in the mix (off this mark) over C&D last September.

Form: 0-63138

(4)

Big Storm Coming⁷^{(ex 4)}

Age: 9| Weight: 9-6| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁵⁾| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 73| CD

11/4

Ran on well when beating Colonel Frank by 2L in this race in 2018 and brought his Epsom record to 2-2 with a decisive C&D win last week; carries a 4lb penalty which is unlikely to be a barrier to further success; very tough to beat.

Form: 088891

(7)

Cool Reflection^b1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: L Morris| T: P & O Cole| OR: 82

8/1

6f Kempton juvenile scorer; raised his game on turf when beaten a short head by Delegate The Lord on rattling quick ground at Bath (5½f, firm) 15 days ago; 3lb higher with blinkers applied in a much tougher contest.

Form: 821-962

(3)

Chica De La Noche^p²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: S Dow| OR: 74| D

14/1

Admirably consistent, albeit is stronger on the AW (4-19) than on turf; 4lb above her last winning mark when beating Seraphim by 1L at Chelmsford (7f, Cl 5 fillies' handicap) in May; stablemate of Mont Kiara; place chance at best.

Form: 531125

Non-Runners

(1)

Mont Kiara¹

Weight: 8-8| Age: 6

T: S Dow J: Harry Bentley

Forecasts

Sir Busker (11/10), Big Storm Coming (11/4), Key Player (7/1), Cool Reflection (8/1), Mamillius (10/1), Mont Kiara (10/1), Chica De La Noche (14/1)

John Quinn has a strong chance in the opener with Ascot Week and assuming that all goes to plan a quickfire double is on the cards courtesy of the capable nine-year-old BIG STORM COMING. He was partnered by today's rider Cieren Fallon when a decisive C&D winner last week and the incurred 4lb penalty is unlikely to be a barrier to further success. Furthermore, he not only defends his race title (2018 winner) but also an unbeaten record (2-2) at this track. The progressive Sir Busker rates as the likeliest danger despite taking a continued hike up the weights.