20:20 Epsom Downs

Thursday 15 July 2021

All18:1018:4519:2019:5020:2020:50

Wells Handicap

Off time: 20:20 | Winning time: 1m 25.15s

(3)

Fred²²

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: B A Curtis| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 84| D

15/2

Three wins from 9 runs this year. Respectable sixth of 15 in handicap at Carlisle (7.8f, good to firm, 16/1) 22 days ago. Now 1 lb lower and will be dangerous if allowed a soft lead.

Form: 891626

(2)

Princesse Animale^h²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Rhys Clutterbuck⁽⁵⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 74| D

9/1

Latest win at Lingfield in March. 11/2, good second of 12 in handicap at Lingfield (7f, AW) 28 days ago. Looks vulnerable back in 0-85 company on turf debut.

Form: 113282

(1)

Marks Bear¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore| OR: 82

16/1

Lightly-raced winner. Below form fourth of 8 in handicap (9/2) at Lingfield (7f, soft) 17 days ago. It's still early days for this 3-y-o, but improvement is certainly needed.

Form: 421-4

(7)

Prince Of Bel Lir³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J Mitchell| T: J Parr| OR: 79

9/4

Winner at Nottingham in May. Respectable ninth of 19 in handicap (15/2) at York (6f, good to firm) 33 days ago. Forecast slower ground here a plus and shapes as though this trip will be within range.

Form: 3435-19

(4)

Wake Up Harry⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Callum Shepherd| T: S Dow| OR: 79

4/1

Lightly-raced winner. 9/1, bit below form sixth of 10 in handicap at Goodwood (8f, soft) 55 days ago, going off too hard. Gelded since and needs to get back on track.

Form: 2-1366

(6)

Otago⁷^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 64| CD

4/1

16/1, career best when winning 8-runner handicap at this C&D (good to soft) 7 days ago. More needed in order to follow up under a penalty, but couldn't rule out all the same.

Form: 70-4351

(5)

Desert Land^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Marco Ghiani| T: J R Boyle| OR: 68

12/1

Latest win at Brighton in April. 14/1, fourth of 7 in handicap at this C&D (good to soft) 14 days ago, very slowly away. Cheekpieces back on. Others are more persuasive on balance.

Form: 681704

(8)

Marlay Park¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 73

15/2

Winner at Bath in April. 17/2, creditable fifth of 9 in handicap at Windsor (6f, good to firm) 18 days ago. Return to this trip should be in his favour, but looks vulnerable all the same.

Form: 37-1935

Forecasts

Prince Of Bel Lir (9/4), Otago (4/1), Wake Up Harry (4/1), Marlay Park (15/2), Fred (15/2), Princesse Animale (9/1), Desert Land (12/1), Marks Bear (16/1)

FRED wasn't disgraced in a typically competitive renewal of the Carlisle Bell last month and is appealing back on a more suitable track. Indeed, four of his five career wins have come on left-handed courses and he could take some pegging back if allowed an easy lead. Prince of Bel Lir shapes as though this trip will suit and he is next on the list, while recent C&D scorer Otago also has claims.