17:45 Epsom Downs

Friday 2 June 2023

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

Winners Wear Cavani Handicap

Off time: 17:46 | Winning time: 1m 21.48s

(5)

Spanish Star¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-2| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: P R Chamings| OR: 90| D

12/1

Caught the eye on return at Newbury and confirmed promise of that run when adding to his tally at Goodwood (6f) 2 starts back. Confirmed himself better than ever at the age of 8 when second in 9-runner Windsor handicap (6f) 11 days ago and entitled to go well again in this groove.

Form: 410-612

(8)

On A Session⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 10-2| J: Connor Beasley| T: T D Barron| OR: 90| D

5/1

Useful sort who capitalised on drop in grade to score at Musselburgh (7f, soft) in April. Similar form in defeat both starts since, good second behind Boardman at Chester on Saturday. Good fourth in this race 12 months ago and he's a live each-way player once more.

Form: 678162

(2)

Pocket The Profit²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: K Stott| T: G Boughey| OR: 89| D

14/1

Came in for a well-judged ride when adding to his tally at Wolverhampton (6f) in December. Shaped as if better for the run on the back of 4 months off when sixth in 8-runner Doncaster handicap (6f, heavy) 4 weeks ago but he will need things to drop just right for him here.

Form: 43217-6

(7)

Darkness^b¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Hollie Doyle| T: D O'Meara| OR: 85| D

20/1

Remains winless for this yard but plenty of good efforts to his name, including when runner-up on return at Redcar (7f, heavy) in April. Mixed bag has followed, including in refitted visor last 3 starts and blinkers now the headgear of choice from career-low mark.

Form: 4-26406

(12)

Wyvern^p1²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: S C Williams| OR: 83| D

40/1

Improved again campaigned on AW earlier this year, confirming promise of previous run when scoring at Lingfield (7f) in February. Good efforts on 2 of his 3 starts since but task now is to prove himself as effective back on turf. Cheekpieces on 1st time.

Form: 521324

(3)

Marlay Park⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 82| CD

8/1

3-time C&D winner, the latest from a 2 lb lower mark in September. Gradually regaining full fitness in trio of starts this time around, late headway from off the pace when fifth at Goodwood (7f) last week. No surprise to see a better showing returned to this venue.

Form: 218-865

(9)

Lord Rapscallion^b,t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-8| J: Marco Ghiani| T: S C Williams| OR: 82| D

18/1

Bagged pair of 7f Chelmsford handicaps in December and having remained in form since on AW, he was possibly a shade fortunate to resume winning ways on turf at Newmarket (7f) 15 days ago. Doesn't appeal as an obvious follow-up candidate, though.

Form: 835361

(4)

Riot¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 82| D

14/1

Snapped a long losing run in 4-runner Chelmsford handicap (7f) on reappearance in May and backed that up when fifth in 20-runner York handicap (7f) since, held when wandering entering final 1f. Handy draw to work from but this rates tougher.

Form: 3040-15

(6)

Urban Sprawl⁶^{(ex 6)}

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 85| D

5/4

Likeable type who signed off for 2022 with back-to-back 7f nursery wins and progressed again this term, making all returned to firmer ground at Goodwood (7f) last week. Has to be of interest under a penalty with yard going along nicely.

Form: 411-231

(10)

Bluelight Bay⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 90

33/1

Highly tried on back of 6f novice success as a 2-y-o and having been easy to back, she offered little back from 8 months off at Newmarket (6f) six weeks ago. Has been gelded since but he needs to leave that well behind to figure here.

Form: 2155-0

(11)

Signcastle City¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 86

9/1

Salisbury maiden winner (at 6f) last summer prior to good third at listed level at that venue a month later. Done little wrong in defeat both starts this term, well served by well-run race when third at Newmarket (7f) 13 days ago, running on. May do better still.

Form: 5135-53

(1)

Secret Strength^p⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Luke Catton⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 74| D

33/1

Ended losing run in refitted cheekpieces at Lingfield (7f) in February and largely remained in form since, not disgraced when fourth in 9-runner handicap at Yarmouth (7f) 9 days ago. Yard enjoy plenty of success here but this looks a tough enough ask up in grade.

Form: 155774

Non-Runners

(13)

Clochette¹⁴

Weight: 9-9| Age: 3

T: A M Balding J: Oisin Murphy

Forecasts

Urban Sprawl (5/4), On A Session (5/1), Clochette (6/1), Marlay Park (8/1), Signcastle City (9/1), Spanish Star (12/1), Riot (14/1), Pocket The Profit (14/1), Lord Rapscallion (18/1), Darkness (20/1), Secret Strength (33/1), Bluelight Bay (33/1), Wyvern (40/1)

URBAN SPRAWL resumed progress back on a firmer surface when making all at Goodwood last weekend and, turned out under a penalty, it would come as no surprise to see him make another bold bid from the front here. Fellow 3-y-o Signcastle City is also going the right way and feared, along with 3-time C&D winner Marlay Park and unexposed handicap debutante Clochette.