15:20 Epsom Downs

Tuesday 30 August 2022

All13:4014:1514:5015:2015:5016:2016:55

John Benstead Handicap

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 2m 8.68s

(8)

Stopnsearch^p³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-4| J: Harry Burns⁽⁵⁾| T: B R Johnson| OR: 67| D

25/1

Bounced back to form in first-time cheekpieces when runner-up over C&D in June. However, proved easy to back and proved to be a disappointment when last of 8 back here 33 days ago.

Form: D80028

(2)

Qeyaady²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: J F Egan| T: P Phelan| OR: 60| D

11/1

Eleven runs since last win in 2021. Respectable fourth of 9 in handicap at Kempton (12f, 25/1) 20 days ago, steady headway over 1f out and plugging on. Ease back down in trip will hold no fears and he's on a handy-looking mark.

Form: 030654

(3)

Craft In Silk¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: Jefferson Smith| T: I Mohammed & J Santos| OR: 64

12/1

Lightly-raced maiden who surpassed previous form when second in 4-runner Yarmouth handicap (10f) 4 weeks ago. Not in same form when fifth of 6 in handicap at Leicester (10f, good to firm) 12 days ago but bounce back distinctly possible.

Form: 044925

(4)

Nonsuch Lad^p¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 64| D

7/2

Career best when winning 5-runner handicap at Doncaster (10.2f, firm, 15/8) 17 days ago, quickening clear under 2f out and idling late on. That was a weak race but he's a player once more in another open-looking affair.

Form: 253361

(1)

Hy Eales²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Dylan Hogan| T: J L Spearing| OR: 54| D

11/1

1 win from 3 runs this year. 16/1, ninth of 11 in handicap at Windsor (10f, good to firm) 29 days ago. Needs to bounce back.

Form: 090-819

(10)

Spectatrice³⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: L Morris| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 61

13/2

Fast Company filly who displayed definite signs of ability in trio of maiden/novice events at up to 1m during second half of last term. Very much the type to step up now handicapping/up in trip for shrewd outfit.

Form: 040-

(6)

Ascraeus^v¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Rhys Clutterbuck⁽³⁾| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 53

50/1

Returned to form equipped with a first-time visor when successful at Salisbury (1m) in June. Headgear hasn't had desired effect since though, only ninth of 11 in handicap at Salisbury (1m, good to firm) 19 days ago.

Form: 0-91749

(5)

Retrouvailles^p⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Cameron Noble| T: Mrs I G-Leveque| OR: 51

50/1

Winner at Brighton (1m) in July. Sixth of 7 in handicap (11/1) at Brighton (8f, good) 9 days ago, weakening over 1f out. Back up in trip now.

Form: 584146

(7)

Gilbert³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Ray Dawson| T: A West| OR: 57| BF| D

6/1

3 wins from 9 runs this year. Latest win at Lingfield in July. 16/1, ninth of 14 in handicap at Windsor (11.4f, good to soft) 3 days ago.

Form: 121349

(12)

Angels Roc²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 48| BF

12/1

Remains a maiden after 17 Flat runs. Respectable fifth of 13 in handicap at Ffos Las (10f, heavy, 9/2) 28 days ago, plugging on under pressure over 2f out. Each-way possibilities.

Form: 733-485

(11)

Rita Rana²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Marco Ghiani| T: A West| OR: 51| CD

9/4

C&D winner in July. Eighth of 10 in handicap (9/2) at Lingfield (10f, AW) 21 days ago, ridden 3f out and one paced. No forlorn hope returned to turf.

Form: 472158

(9)

Just An Inkling²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Aidan Keeley⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 45

40/1

10/1, ninth of 11 in minor event at Lingfield (13f, AW) 21 days ago, weakening 3f out. Needs to step up to feature.

Form: 500429

Non-Runners

(13)

Rhubarb Bikini³³

Weight: 10-3| Age: 5

T: M J Attwater J: Rhys Clutterbuck

Forecasts

Rita Rana (9/4), Nonsuch Lad (7/2), Gilbert (6/1), Spectatrice (13/2), Qeyaady (11/1), Hy Eales (11/1), Angels Roc (12/1), Craft In Silk (12/1), Stopnsearch (25/1), Rhubarb Bikini (25/1), Just An Inkling (40/1), Retrouvailles (50/1), Ascraeus (50/1)

This looks wide open and it may pay to side with Sir Mark Prescott's SPECTATRICE. She showed definite signs of ability in a trio of maiden/novice events last summer and it's highly likely there is more to come now handicapping/up in trip. Craft In Silk and Doncaster-scorer Nonsuch Lad are others to consider.