15:05 Goodwood

Saturday 6 May 2023

All13:2013:5514:3015:0515:4516:2017:00

William Hill Epic Value Handicap

Off time: 15:05 | Winning time: 2m 17.05s

(7)

Bad Company^p¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Benoit D L Sayette⁽³⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 96| D

4/1

Reliable operator who was better than ever when winning the City And Surburban at Epsom 11 days ago. Some of his 5 lb rise is offset by Benoit de la Sayette's claim. Likely to be in the shake-up.

Form: 1222-81

(2)

Honiton³²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 93| D

6/1

Off since finishing well held in a handicap at Royal Ascot last June. Had shown plenty of promise at maiden/novice level prior to that and he retains potential on his return to action. Very interesting to see how he goes in the betting.

Form: 7/32310-

(9)

Wilkie¹⁸²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Rob Hornby| T: J Butler| OR: 90

40/1

Pretty useful performer for Andre Fabre in France. Off 17 months, showed he retains ability when fifth of 7 in Epsom handicap on return in September but down the field in November Handicap final start. Best watched unless market strongly hints otherwise.

Form: 3153/50-

(3)

Aussie Banker²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: David Probert| T: R Hughes| OR: 88

12/1

Has progressed into a useful handicapper on AW in recent starts, running well again for second at Lingfield (1m) on Good Friday. His success at Haydock last spring provides hope that he can translate recent improvement back to turf. Trip an unknownm, though.

Form: 3411-22

(10)

Maghlaak²⁴²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Dane O'Neill| T: C Hills| OR: 86| CD

4/1

Made a promising start to his career at the end of last summer, winning novices at Kempton 1m and over C&D (good to soft). His opening mark demands more but further progress is on the cards.

Form: 311-

(1)

Farasi Lane^p²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: Hollie Doyle| T: T Ward| OR: 83

7/2

Back to winning ways over 7f at Southwell in March and caught the eye when stepped up to 1¼m for the first time at Lingfield on Good Friday, leaving impression he'd have gone close with a clear run. At the top of his game at present.

Form: 63-6316

(8)

Time Interval¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: William Cox| T: J L Flint| OR: 82| D

9/2

Won last May (over 1¼m at Windsor) on the back of a good reappearance run at Newbury. Set himself up nicely for an attempt to repeat that feat when second of 15 at Newbury (1¼m, heavy) on seasonal return a fortnight ago. Nudged up 3 lb but still much respected.

Form: 6/3178-2

(5)

Sweet Reward¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: George Rooke| T: J G Portman| OR: 81| C| D

9/1

Failed to add to his tally in 2022 but posted several creditable efforts in defeat. Off 9 months, shaped as if needing run when eighth of 15 on Newbury reappearance, fading under 2f out. Should be back closer to his best this time.

Form: 44250-8

Non-Runners

(4)

Stay Well²¹⁰

Weight: 9-9| Age: 5

T: H Morrison J: R Kingscote

(6)

Youthful King²⁶⁰

Weight: 8-7| Age: 4

T: L A Dace J: J F Egan

Forecasts

Farasi Lane (7/2), Bad Company (4/1), Maghlaak (4/1), Time Interval (9/2), Honiton (6/1), Stay Well (13/2), Sweet Reward (9/1), Aussie Banker (12/1), Youthful King (20/1), Wilkie (40/1)

FARASI LANE looked a little unlucky when stepped up to this trip for the first time at Lingfield over Easter and might prove the answer to this tricky handicap. Stay Well has a good record when fresh so is respected on his reappearance for the in-form Hughie Morrison stable. Time Interval and the unexposed Honiton also enter calculations.