20:30 Epsom Downs

Thursday 3 August 2023

All17:4818:2018:5519:3020:0020:30

Tommy Harrigan Memorial Handicap

Off time: 20:36 | Winning time: 1m 27.62s

(7)

Vinaka³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Callum Hutchinson⁽³⁾| T: A Stronge| OR: 66

40/1

Lightly-raced maiden who failed to beat a rival at Kempton last time and arrives with something to prove.

Form: 537-30

(1)

Twilight Dancer¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: H Crouch| T: J G Portman| OR: 64| CD

11/10

Lightly-raced filly who took a marked step forward on just her second turf outing to score over C&D last time. Could do better again, so makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 6-26731

(3)

Macho Mania^p1¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Connor Planas⁽⁵⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 63

25/1

Modest form for Hugo Palmer and didn't fare any better on debut for current yard in maiden at Yarmouth 15 days ago. Needs cheekpieces to perk him up.

Form: 26-0035

(4)

Optiva Star^h⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: S Hitchcott| T: R Hannon| OR: 62

11/4

Well treated on juvenile form and has shaped better than the result on last two starts, not getting a clear run at a crucial stage when third at Lingfield 8 days ago. Worth taking a chance on.

Form: 758943

(6)

Lahina Bay¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: R Cook & J Bridger| OR: 60

4/1

Hit top form to score at Salisbury and Windsor last month and wasn't disgraced (not seen to best effect) at Lingfield 16 days ago. Not ruled out.

Form: 00-3115

(5)

Blue Curacao^h1¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 51

10/1

Hasn't had much racing for this yard and took a step back in the right direction when third to Twilight Dancer over C&D a fortnight ago. Hooded for the first time but hard to see him reversing form with that rival.

Form: 436-873

(2)

Gintini²¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: K T O'Neill| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 47

22/1

Looked rather limited as a 2yo and is likely to need this first run for 7 months. Others preferred.

Form: 65979-4

Forecasts

Twilight Dancer (11/10), Optiva Star (11/4), Lahina Bay (4/1), Blue Curacao (10/1), Gintini (22/1), Macho Mania (25/1), Vinaka (40/1)

OPTIVA STAR is on a handy mark and would have gone close with a clear run at Lingfield last time, so he's worth taking a chance on for all that Twilight Dancer was a comfortable winner over C&D last time. Lahina Bay had been in good form prior to an excusable run 16 days ago, so she's also worth respect.