17:45 Epsom Downs

Thursday 1 August 2019

All17:4518:2018:5519:3020:0020:30

Steve Donoghue Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 17:46 | Winning time: 2m 8.51s

(9)

Gendarme^b¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: Cieren Fallon⁽³⁾| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 72| D

10/1

Dual winner including over 1m2f at Chepstow (good-to-soft) in June. Not disgraced in France and then excuses over 1m6f (didn't stay) last time. Better expected in these conditions.

Form: 231745

(3)

Bayston Hill^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Scott McCullagh⁽⁵⁾| T: M D I Usher| OR: 68| D

14/1

Back on last winning mark and better effort following two poor runs last start. Suited by the conditions although would need to improve on previous three visits to this course.

Form: 831005

(1)

Settle Petal¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Paddy Bradley| T: P Phelan| OR: 67| D

25/1

Twice a winner on the AW off lower marks and her best form has been on quicker ground on turf. Well held on reappearance here although the extra trip is at least one plus.

Form: 35413-8

(10)

Dream Magic^p³⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Sean Kirrane⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 66| BF

25/1

Infrequent winner who is 4lb higher than last win and with all successes coming over 1m4f in lesser company. Ran poorly in a seller last time and best to look elsewhere.

Form: 156330

(8)

Subliminal³⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Levi Williams⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 66| BF| D

10/1

On an inconsistent run of form of late and remains a touch high in the handicap. Capable at his best and gelded since his last run but his last effort on turf was poor.

Form: 230427

(5)

The Lords Walk^v¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: Thore Hammer-Hansen⁽³⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 64| C| D

2/1

Runner-up off this mark in last year's renewal when in the care of Mark Gillard. Won in a first time visor (retained) over shorter here last time and looks primed to go well again. Leading contender.

Form: 147761

(4)

Light Of Air^b⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Louis Garoghan⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 60

4/1

Sole British win came over 1m4f at Brighton in 2017. Narrowly denied from off the pace over this trip at Newbury last time when unsuited by a slow tempo. Could go well off just 2lb higher.

Form: 4-22552

(7)

Amaretto^v¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Sebastian Woods⁽³⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 59| BF| D

3/1

Has built on gutsy Lingfield AW win over this distance with three seconds of late. However beaten 11L two starts back when unsuited by soft ground. Wouldn't want rain otherwise likely to be involved.

Form: 6-10222

(6)

Rainbow Jazz^b¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Finley Marsh| T: A West| OR: 52| D

14/1

Has fallen in the handicap but he's only managed two wins from 35 starts so far and disappointed in a lower grade the last twice. Others look much stronger candidates.

Form: 060470

Non-Runners

(2)

Maroc⁵⁵

Weight: 9-12| Age: 6

T: Mrs N S Evans J: Toby Eley

Forecasts

The Lords Walk (2/1), Amaretto (3/1), Light Of Air (4/1), Gendarme (10/1), Subliminal (10/1), Maroc (12/1), Bayston Hill (14/1), Rainbow Jazz (14/1), Settle Petal (25/1), Dream Magic (25/1)

THE LORDS WALK went very close off the same mark in this race last year and clearly likes this track following his last start win for his new stable. Light Of Air did well to get close off a slow tempo last time and with a stronger test of stamina expected, rates a danger. Amaretto is in good heart and should be thereabouts.