18:00 Epsom Downs

Thursday 29 July 2021

All18:0018:3519:0519:3520:0520:35

Steve Donoghue Apprentice Handicap

Off time: 18:01 | Winning time: 2m 11.66s

(11)

Millions Memories²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Aled Beech⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 71| D

10/3

Matched the pick of his efforts over the last couple of seasons to get back on the scoresheet at Chepstow in June. Good third in a stronger race at Newbury since and ought to remain competitive.

Form: 240-913

(6)

Miss Elsa¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Rhiain Ingram| T: L Carter| OR: 65| D

66/1

100/1, last of 6 in handicap at Brighton (8f, good) 16 days ago. Back up in trip with plenty to prove.

Form: 114-596

(10)

Intercessor⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: William Humphrey⁽⁷⁾| T: J Gallagher| OR: 57| D

5/2

Resumed winning ways in 4-runner handicap at Nottingham (10.2f, good to firm) 9 days ago, making all. That wasn't much of a race, so more will be needed under a 5-lb penalty.

Form: 598381

(7)

Thermal²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 59| D

15/2

Winner at Lingfield in May, and not disgraced when fourth of 7 in handicap at Yarmouth (11.5f, good to firm, 14/1) 28 days ago.

Form: 10-0194

(9)

Angels Roc¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Rhys Clutterbuck⁽³⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 55

5/2

Returned to his best when second of 11 in handicap at Lingfield (10f, good to soft, 5/1) 15 days ago, despite being left with too much to do. Enters calculations.

Form: 54-8092

(3)

Selecto^p²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Rose Dawes⁽⁷⁾| T: M R Channon| OR: 53| BF

10/1

Remains a maiden after 18 Flat runs. Respectable fifth of 11 in handicap (3/1) at Brighton (8f, good to soft) 23 days ago, despite seeming unsuited by the track. Back up in trip.

Form: 760035

(4)

Mungo's Quest²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Tyler Heard⁽³⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 48

7/1

Remains a maiden after 20 Flat run, but wasted no time getting back on track when third of 7 in handicap (17/2) at this course (8.5f, good to soft) 21 days ago.

Form: 624283

(1)

Spanish Persuader^h,t³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: William Cox| T: D Steele| OR: 45

66/1

Fair maiden at 2 yrs but little impact since.

Form: 008970

Non-Runners

(8)

Dolphin Vista¹⁴

Weight: 9-11| Age: 8

T: J R Boyle J: Rhys Clutterbuck

(5)

Cafe Sydney¹⁴

Weight: 9-9| Age: 5

T: A W Carroll J: Emma Taff

(2)

Beau Geste¹⁶

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: A W Carroll J: Mollie Phillips

Forecasts

Angels Roc (5/2), Intercessor (5/2), Millions Memories (10/3), Beau Geste (9/2), Dolphin Vista (6/1), Mungo's Quest (7/1), Thermal (15/2), Selecto (10/1), Cafe Sydney (14/1), Spanish Persuader (66/1), Miss Elsa (66/1)

The Jim Boyle-trained pair DOLPHIN VISTA and Angels Roc make most appeal. The former is tumbling in the weights and signalled he's ready to strike again when a fast-finishing third over C&D 2 weeks ago, so edges the vote. Cafe Sydney shaped encouragingly back under less testing conditions at Chepstow recently and completes the shortlist.