15:25 Epsom Downs

Thursday 12 September 2019

All13:4014:1514:5015:2515:5516:3017:05

Jump Jockeys' Derby Handicap

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 2m 42.42s

(1)

Mandalayan²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Harry Bannister| T: J G Portman| OR: 83

4/1

Hasn't been able to win on turf yet but ran his best race for some time with 3L third in 1m5f Newbury handicap on latest start. Hasn't been given any leniency for that and has a tough task from top weight. Place claims.

Form: 3-23093

(7)

Allegiant¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: J M Quinlan| T: S C Williams| OR: 82| BF| C

9/4

In cracking form this season, especially at this track. Landed Newmarket handicap (1m2f) on penultimate start and followed that up with narrow defeat in Amateurs' Derby over C&D. Should be thereabouts once again.

Form: 222312

(3)

Berrahri¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-9| J: Joey Haynes| T: J R Best| OR: 82| C

11/2

Four-time winner this season and arguably posted career best last time out with neck defeat in 1m6f Goodwood handicap last month. Harshly raised 3lb for that so more improvement required.

Form: 331162

(5)

C'Est No Mour^v¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-6| J: L P Aspell| T: P Hedger| OR: 79| CD

11/4

Thirves at this track and made it back-to-back wins in the Amateurs' Derby with a gutsy success from Allegiant last time out. Has a 3lb penalty to contend with but sets the standard and should be the one to beat.

Form: 252361

(2)

Rydan^v¹⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 11-4| J: Joshua Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 77| D

12/1

Winner at Goodwood earlier in the season but hasn't hit the frame since, including recent 7L fourth in 1m6f handicap (Berrahiri finished second). That was on a return from a break though and entitled to strip fitter.

Form: 12-1444

(4)

Gendarme^b¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: Adam Wedge| T: Alexandra Dunn| OR: 75| C| D

28/1

Winner over 1m2f at this track in August but struggled off revised mark since, including 15L defeat at Chepstow (1m2f, good) last time out. Best watched on current form.

Form: 451384

(6)

Delph Crescent^v¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 11-2| J: B S Hughes| T: R A Fahey| OR: 75

9/1

Authoritative winner at Doncaster on penultimate start but seemingly didn't handle the AW surface with 24L defeat in 1m1f Wolverhampton handicap. Should bounce back but this is first try at 1m4f.

Form: 856417

Forecasts

Allegiant (9/4), C'Est No Mour (11/4), Mandalayan (4/1), Berrahri (11/2), Delph Crescent (9/1), Rydan (12/1), Gendarme (28/1)

ALLEGIANT is the preference to continue his fine run of form and return to winning ways. The four-year-old has been out of the places once this season and races off the same mark for his last run. On that evidence he is better-weighted to reverse the form with C'Est No Mour, with only a half-length separating them last time and the latter being 3lb worse off this time. Delph Crescent can be forgiven for his latest effort and there is every chance of improvement to come from him as well as Berrahri, who will need significant progression off his current mark.