17:15 Epsom Downs

Saturday 5 June 2021

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1517:50

Northern Dancer Handicap

Off time: 17:16 | Winning time: 2m 38.29s

(1)

The Trader²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: B A Curtis| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 95| D

14/1

Latest win at Hamilton in May but seemed undone by a rise for that when fourth at the same course last time. Looks vulnerable.

Form: 57-5614

(2)

Soto Sizzler²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D Menuisier| OR: 94| CD

3/1

Enhanced his good track record when second of 5 over C&D in April and, while disappointing at Newmarket last time, he can't be ruled out returning to ideal conditions.

Form: 292/427

(6)

Australis⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: David Egan| T: R Varian| OR: 92

22/1

Useful stayer but better on AW and likely to find things happening too quickly for him over this trip.

Form: 022-170

(5)

Midnights Legacy³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: A King| OR: 92| D

12/1

Largely running well this term, second of 7 in handicap at Salisbury (14.2f, good) 34 days ago. Can give another good account.

Form: 76-2352

(3)

Wait For The Lord^h⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: D C Costello| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 90

25/1

Useful sort who may have been a little flattered when fourth in the Pinnacle Stakes at Haydock 7 days ago. Well treated if that form is taken literally, so claims if she manages to settle early.

Form: 16-4844

(8)

Group One Power²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: S De Sousa| T: A M Balding| OR: 88| CD

11/8

Made a winning return over C&D and shaped well (went off hard) when runner-up at Ascot subsequently. Still figures on a fair mark and could take all the beating.

Form: 1445-12

(4)

Frontispiece²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 8-11| J: Jim Crowley| T: Mrs A J Perrett| OR: 86| D

12/1

Consistent sort who shaped as if still in form (raced closer to the pace than ideal) when fourth at Ascot last time. Doesn't have much in hand from this mark, though.

Form: 6/224-44

(12)

Autumn War¹⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Ray Dawson⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 86

12/1

Generally in good form on the AW since joining this yard, winning twice. Creditable third at Newcastle 109 days ago and a strongly-run race would play to his strengths.

Form: 7/011-43

(9)

Red Force One⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: Jason Hart| T: P A Kirby| OR: 86

10/1

Lightly raced for current stable and scored comfortably from a subsequent winner at Ayr last time. Remains on a good mark, so he's a definite player with a true pace sure to suit.

Form: 2/56-301

(11)

Percy Street^b,t⁹

Age: 8| Weight: 8-8| J: K T O'Neill| T: D Pipe| OR: 83

66/1

Well treated on his best Flat efforts but hard to make a strong case for in a race of this nature given his attitude has looked poor over hurdles lately.

Form: 52700/9-

Non-Runners

(10)

Lost Eden²⁸

Weight: 9-7| Age: 4

T: R Hannon J: Andrea Atzeni

(7)

Koeman²⁸

Weight: 9-2| Age: 7

T: M R Channon J: Tom Marquand

Forecasts

Group One Power (11/8), Soto Sizzler (3/1), Lost Eden (4/1), Red Force One (10/1), Midnights Legacy (12/1), Autumn War (12/1), Frontispiece (12/1), The Trader (14/1), Australis (22/1), Wait For The Lord (25/1), Koeman (25/1), Percy Street (66/1)

GROUP ONE POWER has benefited from more positive tactics this term and, provided he doesn't face too much pressure up front, he's capable of adding to his C&D win on reappearance. The likeable Midnights Legacy also makes appeal, while Frontispiece is one to consider at a bigger price.