15:05 Epsom Downs

Monday 26 August 2019

All13:5514:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Poundhound Doggy Dash Handicap

Off time: 15:06 | Winning time: 54.20s

(2)

Queen Of Desire⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: J Mitchell| T: R Varian| OR: 96| D

4/1

Racked up a four-timer between June 2018 and April 2019 but has struggled in higher companny since Listed win at Bath. Offered little on return to handicap company at York (5f) last week and has work to do off top weight.

Form: 1-10360

(5)

Duke Of Firenze⁵

Age: 10| Weight: 9-5| J: D Allan| T: D C Griffiths| OR: 91| CD

6/1

Admirable campaigner who landed the C&D Epsom 'Dash' in 2013. Has looked to be in the grip of the handicapper since York victory in May and latest 14th in 5f York handicap means that more is required.

Form: 290400

(4)

Harome⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Paula Muir⁽⁵⁾| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 90| D

4/1

Busy campaigner. Authoritative winner of 5f Ayr handicap in July but has struggled in elite handicap company since, including when tailed off in 5f York handicap latest. Looks to be held by the handicapper.

Form: 612380

(8)

Blue De Vega^p,t¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Cieren Fallon⁽⁵⁾| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 89| D

4/1

Looked to be a tricky sort to judge but ended losing streak with narrow victory in useful Chelsmford handicap (5f, standard) ten days ago. Had some good rivals in behind him and yard/jockey combination are in good form. Claims.

Form: 497701

(3)

Koditime²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: S W Kelly| T: C G Cox| OR: 87| D

9/1

Losing run dates back to May 2018 and hasn't troubled the judge in four starts this season. Latest 4L eighth in Goodwood handicap (5f) means he has a bit to find on ratings and is best watched for now.

Form: 00-5078

(1)

Shamshon²⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Watson| T: S C Williams| OR: 83| D

12/1

Game winner of class 4 Newmarket handicap on penultimate start but took a backward step when tenth in 6f Windsor handicap in late July. This looks a grade too high for him.

Form: 733310

(6)

Merry Banter¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-8| J: Harry Bentley| T: P T Midgley| OR: 80| D

9/2

Hasn't looked the force she was in 2018 and latest effort suggests she wasn't in love with soft ground at Thirsk (5f) on latest start. Claims on best form but plenty to prove now.

Form: 654260

(7)

Harrogate^b²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 78| C| D

14/1

Surprise winner over 6f at this track on penultimate start but failed to back that up when well-held last of six at Bath (5f) at the start of the month. That run suggests 5f may be too sharp.

Form: 106516

Forecasts

Queen Of Desire (4/1), Blue De Vega (4/1), Harome (4/1), Merry Banter (9/2), Duke Of Firenze (6/1), Koditime (9/1), Shamshon (12/1), Harrogate (14/1)

BLUE DE VEGA bounced back to form on his latest start and the six-year-old regularly saves his best efforts for this unique track. He is the preference to back up his last success off a very dangerous mark. Duke of Firenze is another who excels at this track and should find these race conditions more up in his street but needs to show age isn't catching up with him, while Queen Of Desire has been mixing it with the top sprinters this season and may have found a good opportunity to resurrect her career.