15:45 Epsom Downs

Friday 3 June 2022

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

Cazoo Handicap

Off time: 15:49 | Winning time: 2m 7.16s

(14)

Victory Chime¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-12| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 107| CD

28/1

Scored twice last autumn but reappearance effort was a long way short of his best and the visor remains off, so he's not an obvious one to get involved.

Form: 02110-8

(3)

Soto Sizzler^p⁴⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: R L Moore| T: D Menuisier| OR: 105| CD

9/2

Enhanced an excellent course record when landing an 8-runner handicap over C&D 45 days ago. Ryan Moore retains the ride, so respected despite a 6-lb rise.

Form: 8551-71

(9)

Caradoc¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 98| D

11/1

Hasn't won since 2019 but has shaped better than the result on multiple occasions, including when fourth (met trouble at Nottingham 12 days ago). Can make his presence felt if he gets the breaks.

Form: 3/42-524

(5)

Cap Francais²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: Ian Williams| OR: 98

11/2

Freshened up by a break when landing 9-runner handicap at Newmarket in April and backed it up with a cracking effort in second at Chester, finishing well. Another bold showing is on the cards.

Form: 4404-12

(1)

Royal Champion⁶⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 97

14/1

Looked highly promising on his first two starts and, while he's been disappointing on both subsequent outings (including on reappearance at Doncaster), he's been gelded since last seen a couple of months ago.

Form: 1/39-4

(7)

Moktasaab³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 97| D

5/2

Has thrived since joining this stable and made it two from two for the season with another comfortable success at Goodwood last month. More to come, and boasts leading claims in his hat-trick bid.

Form: 4142-11

(4)

Spirit Dancer²¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 93| D

20/1

Hit a purple patch last year, runner-up either side of a decisive AW win at Newcastle. Final outing was poor, though and record fresh suggests he'll need this.

Form: 021249-

(13)

Good Birthday^v²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 92| D

25/1

Landed Zetland Gold Cup around this time last year and looked as good as ever when third of 6 to Bad Company at Newmarket 3 weeks ago. Should be fully up to speed now.

Form: 1003-63

(10)

The City's Phantom⁴⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Hollie Doyle| T: R Spencer| OR: 92| D

14/1

Made a winning return for the third straight season when bolting up at Yarmouth 45 days ago but he's on a career-high mark as a result and isn't certain to be in the same form.

Form: 12650-1

(12)

Arqoob¹⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: K Shoemark| T: W Jarvis| OR: 92

40/1

useful sort who performed respectably when third in a Bahrain handicap 105 days ago. Others look better treated, though.

Form: 628-353

(2)

Bad Company^p²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 88| D

28/1

Bagged a win at Sandown last summer and returned as good as ever when scoring at Newmarket 3 weeks ago. Should go well again under a typically positive ride.

Form: 152-641

(6)

Love Is Golden²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 87

7/1

Useful 4yo who ran right up to form when third at York 3 weeks ago and is likely to give another good account provided he doesn't get in a battle up front early.

Form: 8-20353

(8)

Sweet Reward¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-3| J: S De Sousa| T: J G Portman| OR: 84| BF| D

25/1

Likeable sort who typically gave his running when fourth at Windsor 11 days ago. Handicapper appears to have his measure, but could hit the frame again.

Form: 17-6324

(11)

Arctician³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-3| J: J F Egan| T: S Dow| OR: 84

80/1

Fairly useful colt who has held his form well this year without appearing to have any secrets from the handicapper. Others make more appeal.

Form: 416-353

Forecasts

Moktasaab (5/2), Soto Sizzler (9/2), Cap Francais (11/2), Love Is Golden (7/1), Caradoc (11/1), Royal Champion (14/1), The City's Phantom (14/1), Spirit Dancer (20/1), Good Birthday (25/1), Sweet Reward (25/1), Bad Company (28/1), Victory Chime (28/1), Arqoob (40/1), Arctician (80/1)

MOKTASAAB is unbeaten since joining William Knight and had something up his sleeve at Goodwood last time, so he makes plenty of appeal bidding for the hat-trick. Cap Francais looks as good as ever and looks a threat, while Bad Company could be dangerous if allowed his own way at the head of affairs.