15:25 Epsom Downs

Sunday 25 September 2022

All13:4014:1514:5015:2516:0016:3017:05

Darby Dennis Apprentices' Derby Handicap

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 2m 41.37s

(5)

Saratoga Gold^b²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Owen Lewis⁽⁵⁾| T: C Hills| OR: 85| CD

5/2

Has taken his form up a notch since the blinkers went on and arrives on a hat-trick after wins at Newbury and over C&D last month. Up another 5 lb but he's expected to be bang there.

Form: 556811

(6)

Sword Beach^b²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: George Bass| T: A King| OR: 82

40/1

Dual Windsor scorer in 2021 but he's yet to fire in two runs this term, last of 10 in handicap there 24 days ago. Plenty more is needed.

Form: 71165-0

(3)

Ravens Ark^p²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: H Morrison| OR: 82| D

7/1

Scored at Lingfield in May and largely in good nick since, third of 7 in handicap at Goodwood (14f) 29 days ago. Ought to be competitive again.

Form: 142033

(8)

Barn Owl^p,t³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: G & J Moore| OR: 80

40/1

Dual winner for Roger Charlton in 3-y-o season but yet to beat a rival for his current yard, having a wind op before latest run at Sandown. Very hard to make a case for.

Form: 13-7700

(1)

Tartan Chief^t⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Mohammed Tabti⁽⁵⁾| T: P & O Cole| OR: 82

5/2

Yet to add to his two 2021 wins this term but he is knocking on the door, tongue strap on when second of 14 in 1m4f handicap at Newbury 8 days ago. Firmly in the picture.

Form: 852322

(7)

Dundory^p¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Gina Mangan⁽³⁾| T: J G M O'Shea| OR: 75

8/1

Bagged his third win this year with a career best in 11-runner handicap at Goodwood (11.2f) 19 days ago. Not taken lightly despite 3 lb rise.

Form: 412441

(4)

Eloso^b1²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Harry Burns⁽³⁾| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 75| CD

11/2

Got off the mark in this country at Brighton before following up under a 5 lb penalty over C&D 26 days ago. Blinkers replace cheekpieces now and he's very much one to consider.

Form: 625311

(9)

Captain Haddock^b²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Frederick Larson⁽³⁾| T: H Main| OR: 73| CD

11/2

C&D winner who took a step back in the right direction when sixth of 12 to Saratoga Gold over C&D 27 days ago. Blinkers go back on and needs considering.

Form: 327996

Non-Runners

(2)

Amalfi Bay¹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 4

T: H & R Charlton J: Connor Planas

Forecasts

Saratoga Gold (5/2), Tartan Chief (5/2), Eloso (11/2), Captain Haddock (11/2), Ravens Ark (7/1), Dundory (8/1), Amalfi Bay (10/1), Barn Owl (40/1), Sword Beach (40/1)

SARATOGA GOLD hasn't looked back since the blinkers went on and can boast C&D winning form too so is fancied to complete a quick hat-trick. Eloso also handles this idiosyncratic track well and arrives bidding for his own hat-trick so rates a big threat. In-form Tartan Chief is another who can have a big say in a very competitive handicap.