16:30 Epsom Downs

Saturday 3 June 2023

All12:5013:3014:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Rio Ferdinand Foundation Northern Dancer Handicap

Off time: 16:32 | Winning time: 2m 36.25s

(8)

Lucander^b¹⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: P Cosgrave| T: George Baker| OR: 103

20/1

Did well in Bahrain for this yard over the winter. Respectable fifth of 8 in Winter Derby at Lingfield in February and shaped as if he'd come on for last month's run behind Scampi in Jorvik Handicap at the Dante Meeting. Still, has little wriggle room from this mark.

Form: 1-54159

(3)

Caius Chorister³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: D Menuisier| OR: 99| CD

9/4

Rapid improver switched to handicaps last year, completing a 5-timer (third and fourth legs over C&D) at Glorious Goodwood before fine second in Melrose at York. Not in same groove after but resumed progress when second on return over C&D in April. Sound claims.

Form: 11260-2

(4)

Max Mayhem⁵⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: K P De Foy| OR: 97

4/1

Useful handicapper for Joseph O'Brien who is lightly raced for his age and plenty to like about his return/yard debut success in Rosebery at Kempton (11f) in April, quickening to lead over 1f out and in control after. That may not prove his limit for this yard.

Form: 1/9873-1

(2)

Jungle Cove³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 96

9/1

Useful handicapper who defied market weakness to land Shergar Cup Mile at Ascot last summer. Had excuses since, not ideally placed when eleventh of 14 in handicap at Limerick (1m) on return 6 weeks ago. This a rather belated first try at this trip.

Form: 2100-02

(6)

Scampi^h¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Hayley Turner| T: A M Balding| OR: 92| CD

10/3

Registered three wins over 1½m last term (including over C&D) and confirmed himself all the better for his reappearance over 10f here when landing 15-runner Jorvik Handicap at York 17 days ago, with bit in hand. 6 lb rise shouldn't prevent another big run with conditions fine.

Form: 6115-51

(1)

Sheer Rocks²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Harry Davies⁽³⁾| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 89| D

11/2

Held form well on the back of victory at Chester (10.3f) last summer and, gelded ahead of return, set himself up for another productive campaign with success over this trip at Ascot (12f) 3 weeks ago. 2 lb rise fair and he's worth a second look with leading apprentice in the plate.

Form: 14399-1

(5)

Haliphon^p²²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Ben Sanderson⁽³⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 89| D

16/1

Useful on the Flat, recording back-to-back staying handicap wins at York and Chester last summer. Not threatened faced with soft ground in pair of starts this time around but he did run right up to his best when second in this race 12 months ago. Forecast quicker conditions a likely plus.

Form: 1045-07

(9)

Green Team^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: David Egan| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87

33/1

Useful performer at best but comfortably held all 4 starts in Meydan this year for present stable and no upturn for return to these shores when well held behind re-opposing Sheer Rocks at Ascot (12f) 3 weeks ago.

Form: 6-90407

Non-Runners

(7)

Sea King¹⁰

Weight: 8-12| Age: 4

T: Sir Mark Prescott J: Darragh Keenan

Forecasts

Caius Chorister (9/4), Scampi (10/3), Max Mayhem (4/1), Sea King (4/1), Sheer Rocks (11/2), Jungle Cove (9/1), Haliphon (16/1), Lucander (20/1), Green Team (33/1)

A rapidly progressive filly in handicaps last term (dual C&D winner), CAIUS CHORISTER produced a very promising comeback effort when runner-up here (10f) in April and, with the return to further rating a plus, she gets the narrow vote to come out on top under Ryan Moore. Impressive York winner Scampi, another C&D winner, is feared, as is Sheer Rocks who scored with a bit to spare on return at Ascot and is also respected with Harry Davies taking off a handy 3 lb.