17:10 Epsom Downs

Friday 3 June 2022

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

Poundland Surrey Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 17:13 | Winning time: 1m 23.08s

(3)

Bass Player⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J Mitchell| T: Tom Clover| D

15/2

Iffraaj gelding who looked potentially above average as he made a winning start in Doncaster maiden 6 weeks ago but tough ask taking on useful and more battle-hardened opponents.

Form: 1

(4)

Dawn Of Liberation³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| OR: 107| D

15/8

Landed the odds in novice at Doncaster on return. Pulled too hard up in trip in listed race at Newmarket (9f) next time but quickly back on track to win useful 4-runner event at Goodwood (1m). Deserves another crack at this level.

Form: 322-161

(6)

Ever Given¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D Tudhope| T: H Palmer| OR: 107| D

16/5

Had a highly productive 2-y-o campaign, the highlight being his victory in a valuable sales race at the York Ebor meeting. Looked better than ever when making a winning return in Chester handicap, albeit seen to maximum effect. Struggled in Group 2 since but this obviously easier. Back up in trip.

Form: 4124-18

(7)

Honey Sweet^p²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 97

20/1

Signed off juvenile campaign with 6f Deauville listed win in first-time cheekpieces. Stepped up on reappearance when runner-up in listed event at Newmarket but struggled at York 3 weeks ago. Looks vulnerable under a penalty.

Form: 441-429

(2)

Midheaven¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: K Shoemark| T: D O'Meara| OR: 82| D

22/1

Much improved when off the mark at the third attempt in novice at Lingfield (7f, AW) and ran well when second at Chelmsford on handicap debut/return. Just respectable fourth switched to turf in York handicap 12 days ago, however, and this a good deal tougher.

Form: 021-24

(1)

Oscula⁹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: W Buick| T: G Boughey| OR: 105| C| D

11/4

Consistent all last summer, highlight being when winning Group 3 Prix Six Perfections (7f) at Deauville. Far from disgraced in better company after and easy to forgive latest run on dirt. Impressive winner of the Woodcote at this meeting last year and strong claims.

Form: 13336-0

(5)

Star From Afarhh³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 83| D

25/1

Farhh filly who won in workmanlike fashion on debut at Newmarket (7f). Stepped up on 2-y-o form when fifth of 6 in a useful event at Ascot on return but was seen to maximum advantage. Others preferred.

Form: 164-5

Forecasts

Dawn Of Liberation (15/8), Oscula (11/4), Ever Given (16/5), Bass Player (15/2), Honey Sweet (20/1), Midheaven (22/1), Star From Afarhh (25/1)

Tactics could play a key part here and EVER GIVEN could be hard to catch if allowed to stride on back up in trip. Last year's Woodcote winner Oscula is the obvious threat back down in class if not too keen back from a break, while Dawn of Liberation is worth another shot at this level after his decisive win at Goodwood.