16:10 Epsom Downs

Sunday 29 September 2019

All14:0014:3015:0515:3516:1016:4517:15

Apprentices' Derby Stakes (Handicap)

Off time: 16:13 | Winning time: 2m 47.36s

(2)

Ocala²³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: William Carver⁽⁵⁾| T: A M Balding| OR: 86

9/4

Winner over 1m and 1m2½f this season ran well the last twice over 1m2f on soft ground. Needs to eek out a little more but perhaps going up to 1m4f for the first time can see her do so.

Form: 131633

(8)

Maquisard³²

Age: 7| Weight: 10-0| J: Scott McCullagh⁽³⁾| T: M Madgwick| OR: 84| D

33/1

Three-time Flat scorer ran mostly over hurdles last winter but has failed to sparkle on the level this term. Last on debut for this stable latest and again looks best watched after that.

Form: 022-997

(1)

Gas Monkey^h⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-13| J: Sean Kirrane⁽⁵⁾| T: Miss J Feilden| OR: 83| D

9/2

Up another 5lb after winning at Newbury but given he's won his last four turf starts he has to be taken seriously again and the fact the latest success came over this trip on soft can only bode well.

Form: 211161

(4)

Mandalayan¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Tyler Saunders⁽⁵⁾| T: J G Portman| OR: 82

6/1

9L fifth over C&D latest took his turf record to 0-11 and although there are pieces of decent form along the way he is less compelling than several rivals here.

Form: 230935

(7)

Rotherwick^t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Harrison Shaw| T: P & O Cole| OR: 81

10/1

Over a year since his sixth and most recent success. Fallen to a 4lb lower mark now and goes on all ground but looks likely to be hunting for a place rather than the win based on recent evidence.

Form: 434343

(3)

Culture^p²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Cieren Fallon| T: George Baker| OR: 83

10/1

Won back-to-back starts at Windsor (1m2f and 1m3½f) coming into this although both came on good to firm. Handicapper raises the stakes but he's clearly on the up at present and the jockey booking is a major positive.

Form: 3-58011

(6)

King Of The Sand²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Rhys Clutterbuck⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 74| D

14/1

Still 4lb higher than when winning at Brighton in May and on the whole this sort of mark has appeared too much to handle. Others preferred.

Form: 514934

(5)

Hydroplane^p¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Gavin Ashton⁽⁷⁾| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 79| D

3/1

Landed a hat-trick over trips ranging from 1m1½f to 1m4f before outkicked in second at Kempton. Didn't stay 2m latest but should be back on song over this trip and rates a leading contender today.

Form: 011128

Forecasts

Ocala (9/4), Hydroplane (3/1), Gas Monkey (9/2), Mandalayan (6/1), Rotherwick (10/1), Culture (10/1), King Of The Sand (14/1), Maquisard (33/1)

It is hard to get away from the hugely progressive GAS MONKEY who is four from four on turf this season with only an AW blip on the recent copybook. Hydroplane has himself been profitable to follow and after not lasting 2m latest he should again be a player over this trip. Also shortlisted is Ocala who handles soft ground well; she will go close if appreciating her first try over 1m4f at this non stamina sapping track.