16:00 Epsom Downs

Thursday 8 September 2022

All13:0513:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:35

Unique Pursuit Handicap

Off time: 16:03 | Winning time: 1m 51.8s

(4)

Maysong^p¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: K T O'Neill| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 77

7/2

Resumed winning ways in fine style at Sandown in July before going down narrowly over this C&D later that month. Recent third of eight at Goodwood (1¼m, good) was another solid effort and he's one for the shortlist back down in trip here.

Form: 221273

(1)

Painless Potter⁹^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Rhiain Ingram⁽³⁾| T: S Lycett| OR: 72

14/1

Pulled well clear of the rest with the runner-up when opening his account at the thirteenth attempt in this sphere at Chepstow (1m, good to firm) last week. 5 lb penalty and forecast slower ground here are potential drawbacks this time.

Form: 37-5441

(10)

Arcadian Nights¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Ryan Sexton⁽⁵⁾| T: D M Loughnane| OR: 75| D

40/1

Got his head back in front at Chepstow (7f, good to firm) in June, but has followed that with a couple of lesser efforts and his overall profile is hardly a convincing one.

Form: 524105

(8)

Sly Madam^p¹⁰^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: William Carver⁽³⁾| T: Miss S West| OR: 69| CD

5/2

Has stood up well to an intensive campaign and looked better than ever when routing the opposition over this C&D (good to firm) 10 days ago. Recent rain won't be an issue (scored on an easy surface at Brighton in June) and she's the one to beat under a penalty.

Form: 321241

(2)

Newton Jack^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: B A Curtis| T: W S Kittow| OR: 73

7/1

Winning start to the campaign at Windsor in April, but form has tailed off of late and hopes pinned on the refitted cheekpieces (performed well on sole previous run in this headgear) helping to spark a return to form.

Form: 263097

(9)

Kondratiev Wave^b1³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: T P Queally| T: A W Carroll| OR: 73

33/1

Just touched off by Newton Jack off a 1 lb higher mark at Windsor in April, but failed to fire when returning from a three-month break at Brighton (1m, good). Needs to bounce back with blinkers replacing the usual cheekpieces.

Form: 5-44238

(6)

Curtiz¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽³⁾| T: H Morrison| OR: 67| CD

6/1

Completed the hat-trick when winning this race off a 3 lb higher mark 12 months ago. Below far so far this season, but it's entirely possible that the return to this course (2-3 at Epsom) will perk him up and top apprentice booked.

Form: 10-6658

(3)

Canagat³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: J F Egan| T: J R Boyle| OR: 59| BF

13/2

Well over two years since he last hit the target and free-going tendencies proved costly when coming home 8¼ lengths adrift of Sly Madam over this C&D on penultimate start. Similar story at Brighton since and he looks vulnerable.

Form: 443444

(5)

Hector Loza^h⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: Aidan Keeley⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 57| C

9/1

Snapped a losing run stretching back to 2-y-o days when scoring over 7f here on first run for Jim Boyle in July. Performed with credit when fourth in an eight-runner handicap back here last week, but couldn't be sure that the return to this trip will be in his favour.

Form: 801564

(7)

Plymouth Rock^p,t⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: Theodore Ladd| T: L Carter| OR: 57

40/1

Has fallen a long way in the weights, but with good reason (losing run stretches back two years) and there were no signs of a revival in this headgear combination back from a break over C&D last month.

Form: 860-095

Forecasts

Sly Madam (5/2), Maysong (7/2), Curtiz (6/1), Canagat (13/2), Newton Jack (7/1), Hector Loza (9/1), Painless Potter (14/1), Kondratiev Wave (33/1), Plymouth Rock (40/1), Arcadian Nights (40/1)

CURTIZ has failed to shine in four starts so far this season, but he's now 3 lb lower in the weights compared to when landing this race last year and is worth chancing back at a course where he clearly excels. Sly Madam is feared greatly on the back of her thoroughly decisive C&D success last week, for all that a number of her rivals that day seemingly failed to fire. Maysong has been holding his form well this year and is likely to be on the premises, too.