17:45 Epsom Downs

Friday 3 June 2022

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

Cazoo Derby Festival Handicap

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 1m 22.06s

(12)

Saleymm^t²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Harry Burns⁽⁵⁾| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 100| BF| D

9/2

Son of Dubawi who took his form up another notch when second of 22 in Lincoln at Doncaster on his reappearance. Found little at Newbury but better than ever when second at Newmarket (7f) last time. Strong claims if turning up in similar form.

Form: 411-282

(10)

Darkness^v²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 91| D

11/1

Useful ex-French 7f/1m winner and has run well on 3 of his 4 starts for new stable, including when seventh of 27 in Victoria Cup at Ascot (7f) last time. In the mix.

Form: 56-0437

(2)

On A Session¹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: S M Levey| T: T D Barron| OR: 90

9/2

Infrequent winner but ran right up to what seems his limit nowadays when finding only one too good at Lingfield and Thirsk in April. Similar form in a competitive handicap at York since and should give his running once more.

Form: 7-63228

(8)

Top Secret^h²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 88| D

9/2

Won twice at Ascot last season and proved at least as good as ever when second of 7 in 1m handicap at Newbury (good to firm, 11/2) 20 days ago, quickening to lead 1f out and headed line. Nudged up 2 lb but should continue to give a good account.

Form: 12210-2

(4)

Zip^p⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 88| D

25/1

Dual winner in 2021 who is seemingly working his way back to form this season, never a threat when fifth at Musselburgh 7 weeks ago. Eased a further 1 lb.

Form: 3109-65

(3)

Orbaan^t¹²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: D O'Meara| OR: 87

15/2

On a long losing run but took a major step back in the right direction at York (7.9f) 12 days ago, going well when denied a run from 2f out and finishing with running left. One to bear in mind.

Form: 92-8009

(6)

Eldrickjones^b1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: B A Curtis| T: R Fell & S Murray| OR: 96

28/1

Useful performer who looks too high in the weights judged on his belated handicap debut at York (7f) 13 days ago. Blinkers on for 1st time.

Form: 225-440

(5)

Epsom Faithfull⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: J F Egan| T: P Phelan| OR: 84| D

25/1

Big improver on the AW during the winter, completing a hat-trick at Kempton in early March. Not seen to best effect in pursuit of the 4-timer at Lingfield but needs a bit more now back on turf.

Form: 70-1115

(11)

Lord Rapscallion^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Marco Ghiani| T: S C Williams| OR: 83| D

25/1

Made the frame on several occasions last season, including when fourth in this corresponding race. However, below par both starts this term and is 0-17 for present connections.

Form: 0500-58

(16)

Mykonos St John^p⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Jack Duern⁽³⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 83| D

14/1

Seems to be thriving on a busy spell of late, turning in another good effort when second at Chester (7.6f) last week. Likely to go well again.

Form: 702372

(9)

Tintoretto^b⁹³

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: Tom Marquand| T: T Ward| OR: 83| D

50/1

Has slipped to a good mark but failed to build on the promise of last run when only sixth of 8 to Epsom Faithfull in 7f handicap at Kempton in March. Blinkers back on.

Form: 6844-26

(1)

Big Narstie^v1³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Jim Crowley| T: R Spencer| OR: 82| D

16/1

AW winner who followed a below-par effort with an even worse one in first-time cheekpieces at Chester (7f, soft, 9/1) 30 days ago. Visor on for 1st time. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 464-635

(15)

Bowman^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: William Carson| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 82| D

80/1

Fairly useful last year for Mark Johnston and returned to a similar level in first-time cheekpieces when second in 7f handicap at Kempton 16 days ago. His task is to now back that up.

Form: 967582

(14)

Pocket The Profit^h²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Hayley Turner| T: G Boughey| OR: 87| D

14/1

Enjoyed a purple patch in the autumn, winning 4 nurseries within the space of 14 days. Added to his tally in good style at Pontefract on return and excuses all 3 starts since. Remains of interest.

Form: 17-1457

(7)

Nuvolari¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: J Fanning| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 83| CD

11/2

Lightly-raced C&D winner who took a step forward when fourth of 11 in 1m handicap at Goodwood (good to soft) 14 days ago, despite not being ideally placed. Likely has more to come and has to be of interest.

Form: 13-64

Non-Runners

(13)

Tadreeb¹⁴

Weight: 9-3| Age: 4

T: M J Attwater J: David Probert

(17)

Natural Path⁶

Weight: 9-2| Age: 5

T: M L W Bell J: Non Runner

Forecasts

On A Session (9/2), Saleymm (9/2), Top Secret (9/2), Nuvolari (11/2), Orbaan (15/2), Darkness (11/1), Pocket The Profit (14/1), Mykonos St John (14/1), Natural Path (14/1), Big Narstie (16/1), Lord Rapscallion (25/1), Epsom Faithfull (25/1), Zip (25/1), Tadreeb (25/1), Eldrickjones (28/1), Tintoretto (50/1), Bowman (80/1)

A highly-competitive handicap with the tentative vote going to NUVOLARI. He took a step forward at Goodwood 2 weeks ago, despite having a less-than-ideal position, and looks interesting back at the scene of his debut success, especially now taking on his elders for the first time. Saleymm proved better than ever when runner-up at Newmarket recently and has strong claims if reproducing that form, while Top Secret and Orbaan are others to take seriously.