14:50 Epsom Downs

Tuesday 20 April 2021

All13:4514:1514:5015:2015:5516:30

City And Suburban Handicap

Off time: 14:51 | Winning time: 2m 12.29s

(5)

Sky Defender¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 104| CD

9/1

Smart horse. Mixed record on AW this year but produced one of his best performances when winning a C&D handicap last summer off 5 lb lower so definite claims can be made for this prominent racer.

Form: 6-32644

(8)

Harrovian^p²⁵⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 101| D

13/2

Good effort when defying top weight in Doncaster handicap over this trip in June. Disappointed in John Smith's Cup at York but resumed progress when second at Newmarket. Shortlist material on return.

Form: 17/2102-

(1)

Victory Chime¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 98| CD

8/1

Likeable type who enhanced his good record when making all at Pontefract in September. Respectable third there on return 2 weeks ago and won over this C&D as a 4-y-o. Considered.

Form: 14412-3

(7)

Duckett's Grove¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: E Walker| OR: 97| D

33/1

Progressive 3-y-o in first spell for this yard. Struggled to make an impact in Hong Kong last year but didn't shape too badly back with this yard at Chelmsford on return. This should reveal more.

Form: 1/0000-4

(4)

Celtic Art²⁰⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Rossa Ryan| T: P & O Cole| OR: 96

10/1

Goodwood maiden winner at 2 yrs and ran well in 10f handicap there on return in July. Didn't stay 14f in Group 3 next time but shaped as if amiss in Cambridgeshire final start. Remains low mileage.

Form: 212/630-

(6)

Man Of The Night²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 95

22/1

Recorded a very useful effort when second in strong Newmarket handicap on final 3-y-o start in July. Not seen to best effect in Lincoln Trial on return but well held in Lincoln at Doncaster since.

Form: 0/342-80

(9)

Blue Cup²⁵²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: R L Moore| T: D Menuisier| OR: 93| D

13/2

Low-mileage 5-y-o who quickly developed into a useful performer for this yard last season, winning 16-runner handicap at Sandown by 5 lengths before good fifth in useful event in France. Respected.

Form: 214/515-

(2)

Alfred Boucher²⁰²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: David Probert| T: H Candy| OR: 87

11/2

Held his form well in defeat last season, placed 3 times, including on return. Bit more needed to resume winning ways, though.

Form: 346423-

(10)

Good Birthday¹⁹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-3| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 86| D

10/3

Not entirely straightforward but he's gone well fresh before and starts the season on a very good mark based on his best form. No surprise were he to bounce back.

Form: 453788-

(3)

Sarvan²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: David Egan| T: George Scott| OR: 86| BF| D

13/2

Shaped well when close third in 9.5f Wolverhampton handicap on reappearance but didn't convince with his finishing effort back on turf when fourth of 16 in handicap at Doncaster (10.2f, good).

Form: 1957-34

Forecasts

Good Birthday (10/3), Alfred Boucher (11/2), Sarvan (13/2), Blue Cup (13/2), Harrovian (13/2), Victory Chime (8/1), Sky Defender (9/1), Celtic Art (10/1), Man Of The Night (22/1), Duckett's Grove (33/1)

HARROVIAN raced only 4 times last season but still progressed into a smart performer and he looks the type who can improve again as a 5-y-o given his pedigree/connections. Blue Cup made a bright start for this yard last summer and is another who should have more to offer, while C&D-winners Victory Chime and Sky Defender also need considering.