17:20 Epsom Downs

Monday 28 August 2023

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20

Betfred Play Fred's 5 Million Handicap

Off time: 17:25 | Winning time: 1m 22.67s

(5)

Larado^b⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-13| J: Theodore Ladd| T: M Appleby| OR: 79| CD

6/1

Won the second race on this card last year and well handicapped if reviving after 2 poor runs this month.

Form: 547880

(4)

Desert Falcon^p1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-11| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 82| D

9/4

Progressive, winning 7f Lingfield maiden and 6f Chepstow handicap before a fine run in 7f AW handicap at the former venue, likely to have pushed the winner closer had he applied himself better. Fitting of cheekpieces looks a good move and he's respected up 2 lb.

Form: 983-112

(8)

Capital Guarantee¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D O'Meara| OR: 80| D

7/4

Two from 2 for new yard, landing 7f 3-y-o Musselburgh maiden and Thirsk handicap. Still looked a little raw last time but he knuckled down well and big shout in hat-trick bid with Oisin Murphy booked.

Form: 23-5011

(9)

La Maquina^t⁵³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 75| D

9/1

Multiple 7f winner who has offered a fair bit for new yard this term and lurks on a tempting mark.

Form: 55-5457

(6)

Shoot To Kill¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: David Egan| T: R Brisland| OR: 75| D

7/1

Ended losing run in 1m Brighton handicap (40/1) 3 weeks ago. Couple of winners in behind and not handicapped out of things after 3 lb rise.

Form: 655371

(3)

Secret Strength^p¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Luke Catton⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 74| D

12/1

Struck at Newbury (7f) in June and back to form when third at Lingfield last time. This is tougher.

Form: 441803

(1)

La Rav⁴⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-0| J: D C Costello| T: L Carter| OR: 66| D

40/1

Won 1m Lingfield AW handicap in November but form patchy since, held over further here 7 weeks ago. Others preferred.

Form: 17-3665

Non-Runners

(7)

Restrict¹³

Weight: 9-6| Age: 3

T: D M Simcock J: Hayley Turner

(2)

Amathus¹⁶

Weight: 9-3| Age: 6

T: P R Chamings J: Cieren Fallon

Forecasts

Capital Guarantee (7/4), Desert Falcon (9/4), Larado (6/1), Shoot To Kill (7/1), Restrict (8/1), La Maquina (9/1), Amathus (10/1), Secret Strength (12/1), La Rav (40/1)

Three-year-olds DESERT FALCON and Capital Guarantee make the most appeal. Cheekpieces are likely to bring about more improvement from Sir Mark Prescott's progressive charge and he gets the narrow vote over his hat-trick seeking rival. La Maquina and Larado, the latter a winner on this card last year, lurk on tempting marks and could go well.