14:00 Epsom Downs

Friday 2 June 2023

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1017:45

British EBF 40th Anniversary Woodcote Stakes (Conditions Race) (GBB Race)

Off time: 14:01 | Winning time: 1m 8.99s

(3)

Balon D'or²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: James Doyle| T: H Palmer

4/1

Bred to be sharp and certainly knew what was required when landing 8-runner novice at Musselburgh on debut. Similar form when third in a class 2 at Chester next time and should be in the mix again.

Form: 13

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(6)

Bobsleigh³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton

5/1

Elzaam gelding. Dam 7f/1m winner who stayed 10.5f. Handled Brighton's undulations well when making a winning debut in 6-runner maiden last month in ready fashion. More to come and not to be underestimated.

Form: 1

(8)

Haatem¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| D

9/4

Phoenix of Spain colt who confirmed Goodwood debut promise when forging clear in Bath maiden 16 days ago. More to come and high on shortlist.

Form: 31

(9)

Myconian^b1²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Beasley| T: Miss A Murphy

66/1

Magna Grecia colt who hasn't kicked on since winning a newcomers race at Saint-Cloud in March. Others preferred.

Form: 135

(7)

The Camden Colt⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: R Hannon| D

9/2

Footstepsinthesand colt who left debut behind as expected when making all on Haydock novice last week. Likely to improve again so considered.

Form: 31

(11)

Valour And Swagger²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke

12/1

Blue Point colt who easily landed 3-runner novice event at Windsor on debut. Good second under a penalty at Ascot since, shaping very much as though ready for 6f. Raced on soft/heavy.

Form: 12

(12)

Yorkshire Terrier²⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-7| J: Oisin Murphy| T: C Johnston

9/1

Quickly resumed winning ways when defying a penalty at Southwell last month, forging clear. 6f should suit and not taken lightly.

Form: 151

(10)

Fifty Grand Slater¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Miss A Murphy

33/1

38,000 gns yearling, Kodiac colt. Dam placed at 7f from 3 starts. Proved no match for a smart prospect at Ripon 12 days ago and needs to take a big step forward.

Form: 2

(5)

Glandford¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: N Callan| T: W Jarvis

50/1

55,000 gns yearling, 80,000 gns 2-y-o, Havana Grey colt. Half-brother to several winners, including 6f-7f winner Priscilla's Wish and winner abroad by Cityscape. Showed plenty to work on when fourth in Wetherby maiden but may need this again given how green he was.

Form: 4

(1)

Land Lover¹⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: C Demuro| T: Craig Lidster

25/1

£40,000 yearling, Land Force colt. Half-brother to 3 winners, including useful 6f-1m winner Miss Sugars and 11f/1½m winner Sir Prize. Dam 2-y-o 6f winner. Looked in need of the run when fourth of 7 in class 2 novice at York so should do better here.

Form: 4

(4)

Rednblue Sovereign¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: Tom Dascombe

80/1

€25,000 yearling, resold €60,000 yearling, Ten Sovereigns colt. Dam ran twice out of lightly-raced half-sister to high-class winner up to 14.6f Kingston Hill. Showed ability though was never on terms in a Newbury maiden 2 weeks ago. Up against it.

Form: 5

(2)

Maymay¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 8-11| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: K P De Foy

25/1

Cloth of Stars filly who was much better for debut when runner-up in 14-runner novice at Newmarket 2 weeks ago, but another step forward is required.

Form: 82

Forecasts

Haatem (9/4), Balon D'or (4/1), The Camden Colt (9/2), Bobsleigh (5/1), Yorkshire Terrier (9/1), Valour And Swagger (12/1), Maymay (25/1), Land Lover (25/1), Fifty Grand Slater (33/1), Glandford (50/1), Myconian (66/1), Rednblue Sovereign (80/1)

The Richard Hannon stable has an excellent record in this, and it has a strong chance of enhancing that with HAATEM and The Camden Colt, the former getting the vote given how he forged clear at Bath. Valour And Swagger is just about the pick on form, and he will be suited by this extra 1f, so is another for the shortlist.