17:40 Epsom Downs

Friday 4 June 2021

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1017:40

Cazoo Derby Festival Handicap

Off time: 17:40 | Winning time: 1m 25.65s

(2)

Above^p¹³³

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A Watson| OR: 100| BF| D

22/1

Useful colt who ran just respectably when third of 5 in handicap at Lingfield (6f, AW) back in January, lacking a turn of pace more than anything. Gelded since last seen and step forward needed.

Form: 6/022-33

(6)

Shelir²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: A Kirby| T: D O'Meara| OR: 96| D

6/1

Ended 2020 in excellent nick and ran as well as ever when second in handicap at Haydock in April. Shaped as if still in form for long way at York last time so not ruled out for this sort of test.

Form: 133-520

(4)

Count Otto^b³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 96| C| D

22/1

Has already scored three times at Lingfield in 2021 but took his form up another notch to resume winning ways at Newmarket in April. Not in same form back there since and needs to bounce back.

Form: 311316

(9)

Lord Rapscallion^t¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Marco Ghiani⁽³⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 93| D

13/2

Useful ex-Irish 7f/1m winner. Best run for his current yard when ½-length second of 7 to Dulas in handicap at Goodwood (7f, soft, 16/1) 14 days ago, suited by way race developed. Each-way claims.

Form: 045722

(12)

On A Session²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: T D Barron| OR: 92

13/2

Useful in Ireland for Aidan Fogarty and he has hit the ground running for his new yard, good fourth of 15 in Thirsk Hunt Cup last month. Possibly found race coming too soon at Ascot a week later.

Form: 663-240

(11)

Lyndon B^b²⁵⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: David Probert| T: J L Flint| OR: 88

125/1

Last seen 8 months ago out of form, reportedly bled when last of 17 in handicap at Newbury on first run since leaving Jamie Osborne. Plenty to prove on reappearance.

Form: 569060-

(10)

Arigato^p²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-1| J: Josephine Gordon| T: W Jarvis| OR: 87| C| D

9/1

Improved when landing back-to-back Newmarket handicaps last June. Second half of 2020 campaign was a struggle, but shaped as if retaining all ability after 7 months off back there last month.

Form: 40065-5

(7)

Dulas¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: S De Sousa| T: C Hills| OR: 85| D

3/1

Arrives in excellent nick, not needing to improve to go one better than at Chester to score at Goodwood by ½ length from Lord Rapscallion a fortnight ago. Player nudged up just a couple of pounds.

Form: 550-221

(8)

Paws For Thought³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 94| D

17/2

Improved when bagging 7f nurseries at Chester/Catterick (both at 7f) last summer and stepped his form up a notch when making a winning reappearance at Chester last month. Should be in the mix.

Form: 61144-1

(5)

Rhoscolyn¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: James Doyle| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92| D

9/2

Has gone on since returning to the turf this year, scoring at Beverley (7.4f, soft) last month and taking his form up a level when given an excellent ride at Goodwood 13 days ago. More to come.

Form: 74-7211

Non-Runners

(3)

Tintoretto³⁴

Weight: 9-4| Age: 6

T: T Ward J: Tom Marquand

(1)

Ataser²⁶⁸

Weight: 8-8| Age: 3

T: T Kent J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Dulas (3/1), Rhoscolyn (9/2), Tintoretto (11/2), Shelir (6/1), On A Session (13/2), Lord Rapscallion (13/2), Paws For Thought (17/2), Arigato (9/1), Ataser (10/1), Above (22/1), Count Otto (22/1), Lyndon B (125/1)

DULAS had been let off lightly by the handicapper for his Chester effort and duly obliged to go one better at Goodwood a fortnight ago, deserving extra credit given front running probably wasn't the ideal tactic on the afternoon. He still looks ahead of his mark and is taken to follow up. Rhoscolyn took a significant step forward to score last time so is feared most, ahead of Paws For Thought.