20:00 Epsom Downs

Wednesday 5 July 2023

All18:2018:5019:2520:0020:3021:00

Betfred Challenge Cup August 12 Handicap

Off time: 20:01 | Winning time: 1m 23.14s

(9)

Zero Carbon^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-2| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 83| D

11/2

Returned to prominent tactics, bounced back to his best when winning 12-runner handicap at Kempton (7f) 3 weeks ago. Competitive off this mark at the end of last season, so he's not taken lightly with cheekpieces now reapplied.

Form: 23-0651

(6)

Little Boy Blue^p,t²⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 10-1| J: William Carson| T: W G M Turner| OR: 82| D

12/1

Having dropped below his last winning mark, built on the promise of his previous run when gaining a battling success at Chepstow (7.1f) last time. Remains on a workable mark and he can be thereabouts once again.

Form: 530-031

(7)

Above^t¹¹

Age: 6| Weight: 10-1| J: Rossa Ryan| T: S C Williams| OR: 82| D

10/1

Hasn't won for a while but took a step back in the right direction when third at Leicester (7f) last month. Unsuited by emphasis on speed when fifth at Newmarket (6f) 11 days ago, so could fare better returned to this longer trip.

Form: 8-57035

(5)

Marlay Park³³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 81| CD

11/4

Three-time C&D winner who confirmed his return to form when third in handicap here at the beginning of June. Has been going the right way with each outing this season, so could be ready to score again back down in grade.

Form: 18-8653

(8)

Global Esteem¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: N Callan| T: J Gallagher| OR: 78| D

5/1

Won at Leicester and Sandown in 2022 and back to the form of his reappearance run when third of 5 in handicap at Windsor (8.1f) 16 days ago. Had the run of the race last time, though, and unlikely to get an easy lead on this occasion.

Form: 30-5573

(10)

G'daay^v²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J Parr| OR: 78| D

16/1

Four-time winner last year and, with a visor applied, turned in his best effort of the current season when fifth of 12 at Kempton (7f) 3 weeks ago. Task is now to build on that back on turf.

Form: 55-6665

(2)

Kimifive²⁰

Age: 8| Weight: 9-5| J: Cieren Fallon| T: Ian Williams| OR: 72| CD

13/2

Gained his first win in over 3 years at this C&D last summer and ran well at Carlisle next time. Struggled back up in grade at Ascot on his final start of 2022, but probably needed the run at Newbury on his return 20 days ago. Remains well treated on old form.

Form: 96120-7

(3)

Woodstock¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Charles Bishop| T: J Channon| OR: 78

6/1

Recorded back-to-back wins on the all-weather (both at 1m) earlier this year and got back on the up when second at Ffos Las (7.4f) 10 days ago, bumping into a handicap debutant. Could still have more to offer at this trip.

Form: 211862

(11)

Be Prepared^p¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: David Probert| T: R Cook & J Bridger| OR: 63| D

12/1

Having dropped further in the weights, ran better than for a while when second at Brighton (7f) 15 days ago. Now goes back up in grade, but he's not one to write off from his current mark.

Form: 0-50672

Non-Runners

(1)

Ernie's Valentine¹¹

Weight: 10-2| Age: 4

T: P & O Cole J: Tom Marquand

(12)

Tuscan¹⁹

Weight: 10-1| Age: 4

T: D O'Meara J: Jason Watson

(4)

Poet's Magic⁴¹

Weight: 10-0| Age: 7

T: J & S Quinn J: D C Costello

Forecasts

Marlay Park (11/4), Global Esteem (5/1), Zero Carbon (11/2), Woodstock (6/1), Kimifive (13/2), Above (10/1), Ernie's Valentine (10/1), Be Prepared (12/1), Little Boy Blue (12/1), G'daay (16/1), Poet's Magic (16/1), Tuscan (20/1)

MARLAY PARK again ran well at this course when third here a month ago and, back down in grade, he can build on that to record a fourth C&D success. Heading the list of dangers is Zero Carbon, who bounced back to his best when scoring at Kempton last time, while Little Boy Blue can also give another good account.