15:30 Epsom Downs

Tuesday 19 April 2022

All13:5014:2014:5515:3016:0016:30

Great Metropolitan Handicap

Off time: 15:33 | Winning time: 2m 42.67s

(1)

Alfred Boucher¹³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: David Probert| T: H Candy| OR: 95| D

6/1

Plenty of excellent runs last year, winning good Ascot handicap over this trip in July. Usually goes well fresh but surely weighted to the hilt.

Form: 215593-

(7)

Pirate King¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: K Shoemark| T: C Fellowes| OR: 95| BF| D

11/1

Good record over this trip on the Lingfield polytrack, runner-up again there 13 days ago. On a fair mark back on turf.

Form: 0-64452

(3)

Going Gone¹⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 92| CD

10/3

Improved in handicaps in 2021, winning C&D and Newmarket contests. No surprise to see him go well on return.

Form: 225161-

(10)

Solent Gateway^p¹⁷⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 90| C

7/1

Improved model last year, winning handicaps here and at Chester at up to 2m. Gone well fresh but needs more to defy this mark on first start for Hugo Palmer.

Form: 128210-

(4)

Kings Prince¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 90| D

9/2

Dual winner who returned with a great run from the front under this rider in Leicester handicap over this trip. Nudged back up 3 lb but another bold bid expected.

Form: 1/1404-2

(6)

Parachute²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: W Buick| T: E Walker| OR: 87| D

5/1

Dual winner who was placed in red-hot renewal of the King George V handicap over this trip at Royal Ascot last year. Disappointing on return at Doncaster having been gelded but step back up in distance will help if he can revive.

Form: 13604-0

(2)

Mascat⁹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Rob Hornby| T: C L Tizzard| OR: 85

28/1

Useful Flat handicapper who struck over hurdles in October. This sort of trip should suit and he could make his presence felt if ready to roll.

Form: 264853-

(8)

Year Of The Dragon^v²³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Marco Ghiani| T: W J Knight| OR: 84

5/1

Kempton winner who has returned with a string of good efforts this year, shaping as if this sort of trip would suit at Doncaster 3 weeks ago. Worth a look.

Form: 257-333

(11)

Optimistic Belief¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: F Norton| T: P Phelan| OR: 77

50/1

Irish maiden winner who has shown little over hurdles/in Flat AW handicap for new yard. Plenty to find.

Form: 03410-0

Non-Runners

(5)

Secret Shadow¹⁷⁹

Weight: 8-9| Age: 4

T: A M Balding J: Hayley Turner

(9)

True Courage¹⁹³

Weight: 8-8| Age: 4

T: M L W Bell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Going Gone (10/3), Kings Prince (9/2), Parachute (5/1), Year Of The Dragon (5/1), Secret Shadow (11/2), Alfred Boucher (6/1), Solent Gateway (7/1), Pirate King (11/1), True Courage (12/1), Mascat (28/1), Optimistic Belief (50/1)

KINGS PRINCE returned with a fine run at Leicester under Hollie Doyle and gets the vote in a tricky renewal of this historic handicap. C&D winner Going Gone is a big player on his return for his local yard, while Year of The Dragon is also respected after another good showing at Doncaster.