20:08 Epsom Downs

Thursday 1 July 2021

All18:0818:3819:0819:3820:0820:40

Langley Vale Handicap

Off time: 20:12 | Winning time: 2m 11.27s

(7)

Rhubarb Bikini^v¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: William Carson| T: M J Attwater| OR: 80

50/1

Averagely handicapped and arrives on the back of another unconvincing display when again failing to beat a rival home when tenth at Sandown (1m) last month. Steps back up in trip now.

Form: 3-62480

(1)

Sweet Reward²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Callum Shepherd| T: J G Portman| OR: 80| D

10/3

2 wins from 4 runs this year. Career best when winning 10-runner handicap at Sandown (10f, good, 11/2) 20 days ago, holding on gamely. Possibilities again in hat-trick bid.

Form: 67-5311

(3)

Maori Knight¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K Shoemark| T: R Hughes| OR: 80| BF| D

9/2

Back to winning ways at Chelmsford (10f) in May. Creditable sixth of 11 in handicap (9/4) at Chester (10.3f, good to firm) 19 days ago, no extra last ½f. Not ruled out.

Form: 6778-16

(8)

Bad Company³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 77| BF| D

7/2

Ended last season on a high, completing 4-timer at Nottingham (10.2f) in November. Creditable efforts both starts this term, 2¼ lengths fourth of 12 to Sweet Reward at Sandown in May. Claims once more

Form: 1111-24

(4)

Big Wing²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 74

16/1

Sixth of 7 in handicap at Chepstow (10f, good to firm, 8/1) 20 days ago, hanging left and dropping away. Not kicked on from early season promise and best watched at present.

Form: 4-32776

(6)

Leroy Leroy²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Rhys Clutterbuck⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 73| D

6/1

Latest win at Doncaster in March. 12/1, creditable 2 lengths sixth of 10 to Sweet Reward in handicap at Sandown (10f, good) 20 days ago. Rider takes off valuable 5 lb and good showing not ruled out.

Form: 8-12956

(5)

Miss Elsa¹⁷⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Liam Jones| T: L Carter| OR: 70| D

50/1

Creditable fifth of 12 in handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW) in January, keeping on over 1f out. Absent again since though, and yet to win from a mark this high.

Form: 8/4114-5

(2)

Thorn^h¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Aled Beech⁽⁵⁾| T: J Gallagher| OR: 66

11/2

Latest win at Lingfield in April. 11/1, bettered previous hurdling exploits when fourth of 10 in novice hurdle at Stratford (16.3f, good) 16 days ago and no forlorn hope back on the level.

Form: 37-6130

(9)

Gold Souk^p,t¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: David Probert| T: D Steele| OR: 65| C| D

8/1

Course winner. Latest win at Lingfield in May. Good second of 9 in handicap at Lingfield (11.6f, heavy, 13/2) 12 days ago, clear of rest. No surprise to see another good showing.

Form: 841552

Forecasts

Sweet Reward (10/3), Bad Company (7/2), Maori Knight (9/2), Thorn (11/2), Leroy Leroy (6/1), Gold Souk (8/1), Big Wing (16/1), Rhubarb Bikini (50/1), Miss Elsa (50/1)

A previous course winner, GOLD SOUK capitalised on his much-reduced mark at Lingfield in May and has remained in good form since, finding only one too good back there last time. Underfoot conditions will hold no fears and he can go well again under David Probert. The admirable Sweet Reward, in search of the hat-trick, is feared most, ahead of Bad Company.