16:20 Epsom Downs

Tuesday 30 August 2022

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

John Akehurst Handicap

Off time: 16:22 | Winning time: 1m 22.00s

(6)

Starshiba^p,h¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Cieren Fallon| T: D O'Meara| OR: 73| D

9/2

One win from 22 Flat runs. Runner-up twice for current yard this summer, including over C&D, but needs to shrug off a poor run last time.

Form: 822477

(1)

Mr Stanley²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 73

12/1

Fair maiden. Went close in 7f Leicester maiden in July and probably worth forgiving a poor run on AW last time as he was caught wide.

Form: 5-52428

(2)

Kimifive^h¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: Ian Williams| OR: 66| D

9/4

Thirty five runs since last win in 2019. Good sixth of 10 in handicap at this C&D (good to firm, 13/2) 1 day ago, never nearer. Not easy to make a case for.

Form: 466796

(4)

Otago¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Charlie Bennett| T: J R Boyle| OR: 66| CD

13/2

C&D winner. Latest win at Brighton in May. Creditable fourth of 9 in handicap (10/1) at Chepstow (7f, good to firm) 12 days ago, faring best of those held up. One to consider.

Form: 144464

(5)

Bonus²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 62| D

8/1

Suited by a return to testing ground when capitalising on his reduced mark at Ffos Las 28 days ago, impressing with the way he travelled into contention. Ought to remain competitive up 6 lb.

Form: 0-54201

(8)

Baileys Liberty^v1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: R Kingscote| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 67| D

12/1

Winner at Carlisle in July and creditable runner-up efforts on next 2 outings. Can probably be forgiven her latest last of 5 at Yarmouth as she ended up racing solo down the centre.

Form: 451225

(7)

Alezan²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 61| D

11/2

Eleven runs since last win in 2021. 12/1, fifth of 6 in handicap at Sandown (1m, good) on reappearance 26 days ago. Has dropped 2lb on the back of that and she could be sharper with the outing behind her.

Form: 26252-5

(9)

Hector Loza^h⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Aidan Keeley⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 58| CD

6/1

C&D winner in July but below that level at Lingfield (AW) and Brighton since. Return to this venue needs to spark a revival.

Form: 880156

Non-Runners

(3)

Sir Titan⁴⁶

Weight: 9-13| Age: 8

T: A W Carroll J: Ray Dawson

Forecasts

Kimifive (9/4), Starshiba (9/2), Alezan (11/2), Hector Loza (6/1), Sir Titan (6/1), Otago (13/2), Bonus (8/1), Mr Stanley (12/1), Baileys Liberty (12/1)

Local trainer Jim Boyle holds a strong hand, with OTAGO taken to strike having dipped to the same mark as when successful at Brighton in May. Sir Titan knows where the winning post is here and is feared most ahead of the selection's stablemate Bonus.