15:25 Epsom Downs

Tuesday 31 August 2021

All13:4514:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:05

John Akehurst Handicap

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 1m 23.18s

(6)

Sir Oliver^p²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Stefano Cherchi⁽³⁾| T: C A Dwyer| OR: 75

11/2

Consistent sort who scored at Brighton in June. Good third of 8 in handicap there (6f) 25 days ago, so he can give another good account.

Form: 493153

(8)

Otago²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 71| CD

15/2

Bagged back-to--back C&D wins in July before creditable sixth of 9 in handicap at Brighton (7f, good) 26 days ago. High on the shortlist back here.

Form: 435116

(9)

Princesse Animale^h⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Hollie Doyle| T: P Phelan| OR: 70| D

11/1

Dual AW Lingfield winner in the spring who arrives on back of good fourth of 6 in handicap there 6 days ago. In the mix.

Form: 282874

(3)

Makashi¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: W Buick| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 74| BF

13/2

Still to get his head in front, and only seventh of 10 in minor event (15/8) at Salisbury (7f, good) 19 days ago, folding tamely. Others are preferred.

Form: 272247

(4)

Arthur's Victory²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Harry Burns⁽⁵⁾| T: J Parr| OR: 73| CD

7/2

Opened her account over C&D in July and followed up in taking style at Wolverhampton (7f) 22 days ago, showing good turn of foot to lead close home. Up 3 lb but big player in her hat-trick bid.

Form: 626511

(1)

River Wharfe^p²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Ray Dawson| T: A W Carroll| OR: 72| D

22/1

Scored at Brighton in June and posted very good second of 5 in handicap there (8f, good to soft) 25 days ago, clear of rest. Not ruled out by any means despite 3 lb rise.

Form: 631752

(5)

Marselan^t1²⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 70| D

14/1

Dual winner in 2021, latest at Goodwood in June, but only seventh of 9 in handicap at Brighton (7f, good) 26 days ago. Tongue strap on 1st time and needs to get back on track.

Form: 0-01107

(7)

Spirit Warning^v¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 64| D

4/1

It's now nineteen runs since his last win in 2019, and he turned in below-par fourth of 6 in handicap at Salisbury (8f) 11 days ago. Bit more is needed here.

Form: 932464

(10)

Pitchcombe^v¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Cieren Fallon| T: P R Chamings| OR: 59| D

13/2

Took a step back in the right direction when fifth of 8 in handicap at Lingfield (7f, AW) 15 days ago. In the picture if building on that effort.

Form: 900505

Non-Runners

(2)

Eloquent Arthur⁷

Weight: 9-13| Age: 3

T: R Hannon J: S M Levey

Forecasts

Arthur's Victory (7/2), Eloquent Arthur (7/2), Spirit Warning (4/1), Sir Oliver (11/2), Pitchcombe (13/2), Makashi (13/2), Otago (15/2), Princesse Animale (11/1), Marselan (14/1), River Wharfe (22/1)

A few with chances but it's hard to side against ARTHUR'S VICTORY in her hat-trick attempt given her ready Wolverhampton success and she has shown she can go in round here too. River Wharfe is feared most on the back of his excellent recent Brighton second, with dual C&D scorer Otago also much respected.