14:35 Epsom Downs

Friday 3 June 2022

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1017:45

World Pool Handicap

Off time: 14:37 | Winning time: 1m 43.94s

(5)

Excel Power³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 98

8/1

Building up a fine strike rate, maintaining his perfect record at 1m when completing a hat-trick at Windsor last month, having the run of things from the front. Up another 6 lb but he has to remain of interest give his rate of progression.

Form: 3351-11

(8)

Fantastic Fox⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 98

11/1

Successful twice at around 1m last season and having shaped as if the run was probably needed on return (gelded in interim) when fifth behind Excel Power at Haydock just under 6 weeks ago, he's fancied to be much closer to form here.

Form: 03140-5

(12)

Hortzadar²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 95| D

25/1

Winless last season but returned in good order from reduced mark, confirming previous promise to end losing run at Ripon (1m) in April. Not at that level in a more competitive scenario last time at York and this isn't any easier.

Form: 0-02416

(15)

Variyann²⁹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Rob Hornby| T: M Meade| OR: 95| BF

28/1

Four-time winner for Archie Watson and made a good start for his new stable when runner-up at Salisbury last June. Filled that same position 7 weeks later at Newmarket when last seen 9 months ago and worth a market check having gone well fresh previously.

Form: 21/3122-

(6)

Revich^v²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Spencer| OR: 95| C

9/1

Signed off for 2021 with success in 1m handicap at Ayr in September. Stepped up plenty on his reappearance effort when a close third at Chester 4 weeks ago (arguably an unlucky loser, running on after getting gap entering final 1f). High on the shortlist from the same mark.

Form: 4371-03

(7)

La Trinidad¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 93| D

28/1

Improved last term, winning back-to-back York handicaps in June/July. Held his form subsequently and it's possible that he still needed the run at that venue 12 days ago. Must improve to feature in this.

Form: 1964-80

(14)

Oh This Is Us⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 92| CD

10/1

Veteran who bagged a Listed and Group 3 event (over C&D) in the first half of 2021. Signs of decline since, though wasted no time getting back to form when fourth at Chester 6 days ago. Impossible to dismiss from this sort of mark.

Form: 670374

(1)

Totally Charming⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: G Boughey| OR: 91

4/1

Doubled his tally for his current handler when scoring at Lingfield 7 weeks ago, deserving some credit for overcoming a sluggish start. All positive for this yard with further improvement on the cards, he's fancied to go well on the back of a 4 lb rise.

Form: 41-1231

(4)

Hartswood⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90

25/1

Very useful on his day. Looked rusty when only fifth of 6 on his Nottingham return and failed to come on from that outing at Haydock since. Mark drops a further 3 lb but easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 1600-59

(11)

Carolus Magnus³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 90

4/1

Raced 6 times last year, scoring twice, namely maiden on second start and handicap final start, both at Newmarket. Failed to justify support in a first-time hood on return but was unlucky to run into one so unexposed at that same track 5 weeks ago. Not discounted.

Form: 2631-52

(9)

Arthur's Realm¹⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 89

40/1

Doubled his tally for the year at Chelmsford in April but was too free back up in trip there last time. Back on turf in a much more competitive race, the percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 6-61313

(10)

Seasett¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C Fellowes| OR: 88

12/1

Made his first run since leaving Richard Fahey and a winning one at Nottingham (8.3f) in April. Unsuited by drop in trip next time but immediately put that outing behind him back at 1m when fifth at York 12 days ago. One to consider.

Form: 055-175

(3)

Fireworks²¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 86| BF

8/1

Off the mark on third start at Beverley last year but failed to improve when only fourth of 8 on his handicap debut at Newmarket last September. Disappointed in first-time cheekpieces on his first try at 1¼m on final 2021 start but yard couldn't be in better for this return. Headgear left off.

Form: 3/2149-

(13)

Bowland Park⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: J Mitchell| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 86| CD

18/1

C&D winner last year who ran poorly on return at Redcar (8f, soft) a couple of months ago, perhaps unsuited by the going (first try on worse than good to soft). Should take a step forward form that effort here so not dismissed.

Form: 11548-0

(2)

Larado^b⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Cieren Fallon| T: M Appleby| OR: 82| CD

40/1

C&D winner last year who failed to come on from his reappearance when twelfth of 16 at Redcar (8f, soft) a couple of months ago. Tough to see him featuring on that evidence. Engaged 4.25 Leicester Thursday.

Form: 6143-90

Non-Runners

(16)

Corazon Espinado³⁰

Weight: 8-10| Age: 7

T: S Dow J: S De Sousa

Forecasts

Totally Charming (4/1), Carolus Magnus (4/1), Excel Power (8/1), Fireworks (8/1), Revich (9/1), Oh This Is Us (10/1), Corazon Espinado (10/1), Fantastic Fox (11/1), Seasett (12/1), Bowland Park (18/1), Hartswood (25/1), Hortzadar (25/1), La Trinidad (28/1), Variyann (28/1), Larado (40/1), Arthur's Realm (40/1)

An ultra-competitive contest in which REVICH is put forward as the answer. Richard Spencer's charge was arguably an unlucky loser when finishing third at Chester last month (denied a run under 2f out) so he's fancied to gain some compensation here from an unchanged mark. Totally Charming, Excel Power and Seasett are just a handful of possible alternatives.