14:00 Epsom Downs

Saturday 4 June 2022

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1517:50

Cazoo Handicap

Off time: 14:04 | Winning time: 2m 7.88s

(3)

Oneforthegutter¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: R Kingscote| T: Ian Williams| OR: 100

25/1

Placed in pattern company at 2 yrs but that has given the handicapper plenty to go on and improvement needed from a stiff-opening mark.

Form: 1426-4

(8)

Sweeping^p1¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 96

22/1

Improved on all-weather/handicap debut when second of 5 in 8.6f handicap at Wolverhampton 18 days ago, albeit with the run of the race in his favour. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 45130-2

(6)

Approachability²²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 94

18/1

Scored on debut at Pontefract before taking his form up a notch when clear second of 6 in Nottingham minor event. Couldn't progress any further back at Pontefract last time but strikes as an enthusiastic and straightforward type who should make a useful handicapper.

Form: 123-

(15)

Grenoble^p1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 92

25/1

Won Nottingham novice before finishing mid-field in a Leopardstown Group 3 on final start at 2 yrs. Shaped as if amiss on Kempton return and back on track both starts since, though didn't look the most straightforward when behind War Horse at Goodwood latest. Wears first-time cheekpieces.

Form: 217-744

(1)

Oh Herberts Reign¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: R Hannon| OR: 91

22/1

Three-time winner as a juvenile and ran well first 2 starts this term, getting chinned on the line at Haydock in early May. Not in same form there since, so bounce back needed up in trip.

Form: 115-424

(10)

War Horse^p¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: M Botti| OR: 87| D

15/2

Confirmed the promise of his reappearance at the second attempt when winning 4-runner handicap (7/2) at Sandown (10f, good to firm) 16 days ago, by length from Nolton Cross. 2 lb rise shouldn't prevent another good run if turning up in similar form.

Form: 521-251

(11)

Taj Alola^v1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-8| J: David Egan| T: K R Burke| OR: 85

18/1

Produced a career best in first-time cheekpieces back on turf when very good second in 7-runner handicap at Ripon (9.8f, good to firm) 20 days ago, staying on. Thereabouts again if reproducing that in a change of headgear (first-time visor here).

Form: 4122-62

(13)

Mr Big Stuff²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Tyler Heard⁽⁵⁾| T: R Spencer| OR: 82

4/1

Bred to stay well, so no great surprise he relished the step up in trip when an excellent second at Nottingham on reappearance. Had no luck in running at Newbury since and remains one to be interested in.

Form: 932-25

(2)

Box To Box³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: H Palmer| OR: 81| D

7/1

Placed on final 3 starts of 2021 and bettered that form straight away on first start for a new yard when landing a muddling contest at Salisbury (9.9f) 34 days ago. This is harder but good 5 lb claimer now takes over.

Form: 47332-1

(4)

Nolton Cross¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: S De Sousa| T: H Palmer| OR: 80

11/2

Didn't need to improve to get off the mark at Wolverhampton (8.6f) back in January, having the run of things once he got across to lead from his wide draw. Shaped well in a race run at a crawl on handicap debut at Sandown subsequently and likely has more to come.

Form: 42-12

(7)

Sharp Combo²⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 78

80/1

Wolverhampton maiden winner (7f) last June who ran best race since when edged out only in the dying strides in a Lingfield nursery (1m, AW) in October. Subsequently gelded and reappears in a strong contest but is bred to be suited by this longer trip.

Form: 510732-

(12)

Swilcan Bridge³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Hayley Turner| T: A M Balding| OR: 75

7/1

Off the mark at Southwell in March and improved again when caught only late on at Goodwood (9.9f, good to firm) 35 days ago. 4 lb out of the handicap but may do better still.

Form: 95-1532

(9)

Hul Ah Bah Loo³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Aidan Keeley⁽⁷⁾| T: S Dow| OR: 70

150/1

Fair maiden who was runner-up twice in 2021. Took a step back in the right direction at Lingfield last time but is 9 lb out of the handicap in a much stronger race here.

Form: 226-505

Rule 4

Rule 4 applies to all bets - deduction 20p in the pound

Non-Runners

(5)

Blue Trail⁴³

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: C Appleby J: W Buick

(14)

Stevenson²⁸

Weight: 8-3| Age: 3

T: M R Channon J: J F Egan

Forecasts

Mr Big Stuff (4/1), Blue Trail (4/1), Nolton Cross (11/2), Swilcan Bridge (7/1), Box To Box (7/1), War Horse (15/2), Approachability (18/1), Taj Alola (18/1), Oh Herberts Reign (22/1), Sweeping (22/1), Grenoble (25/1), Oneforthegutter (25/1), Stevenson (25/1), Sharp Combo (80/1), Hul Ah Bah Loo (150/1)

MR BIG STUFF took a step forward upped to this trip when runner-up on his reappearance at Nottingham and didn't get the rub of the green at Newbury last time, so he remains one to be interested in. Blue Trial and Swilcan Bridge are other potential improvers, especially the former who's a good-looking sort tackling 10f for the first time.