17:10 Epsom Downs

Sunday 1 October 2023

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:45

Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap

Off time: 17:11 | Winning time: 1m 45.17s

(6)

Ottoman Prince^p1⁵⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Morgan Cole⁽⁵⁾| T: Sir Mark Prescott| OR: 85

5/1

Sprung an 80/1 surprise on debut at Chelmsford (7f) last autumn before earning second career win on return at Wolverhampton in May. Still early days with him but he didn't appear to take to the track when mid-field at Goodwood last time, which augurs concern for him on this idiosyncratic course.

Form: 12-150

(4)

Oj Lifestyle^t1²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Watson| T: G & J Moore| OR: 81

16/1

Newbury maiden winner on second start last summer but hasn't fired in 3 starts handicapping this season and has something to find with tongue strap applied.

Form: 152-494

(7)

Freedom Day¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J Garritty| T: M Walford| OR: 81

4/1

Improved when making successful return in 1m Redcar novice on third and final start for the Gosdens during the spring. Not disgraced in a better race than he need contest when ninth of 15 in handicap at Doncaster (8f, good to soft) 15 days ago but mark still looks on stiff side.

Form: 64-1939

(5)

Chealamy^p1⁴⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: H Crouch| T: J Ferguson| OR: 80

8/1

Off the mark at Newbury (8f) in June and made the frame off higher marks on next 2 starts. Has to shrug off a below-par effort at Windsor last time but isn't completely discounted with cheekpieces applied.

Form: 951248

(1)

Fly Zone^b1,t²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: P J Dobbs| T: Sir Michael Stoute| OR: 78

8/1

Placed all 4 starts in maiden/novice company this season, albeit not improving with experience and looking a touch laboured when second of 8 in minor event (11/4) at Wolverhampton (8.6f) 22 days ago. Opening mark does look workable, though, and blinkers may sharpen him up.

Form: 0-2332

(8)

Overnight Oats^h¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Lewis Edmunds| T: W Muir & C Grassick| OR: 76

5/1

Off the mark at Carlisle (6.9f) in July and displayed a brilliant attitude when following up at Sandown (7f) later that month. Another good effort when ½-length second of 6 to Shot of Love in handicap at this C&D (good to firm) 17 days ago. Expected to be bang there..

Form: 311282

(2)

Hi Clare³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: J Fanning| T: C Johnston| OR: 74| D

9/2

Has held her form well on balance since scoring at Pontefract (1m) in June, as good as ever under a change of tactics when second of 10 in handicap at this C&D (good, 11/1) 34 days ago. Sound place claims again.

Form: 312502

(3)

Shot Of Love^b,h¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Joanna Mason| T: M Appleby| OR: 69| CD

5/1

Supplemented June's Wetherby success by making all over C&D (good to firm) 17 days ago by ½ length from Overnight Oats, settling better than often the case. Likely to go well again from 3 lb higher mark.

Form: 127931

Forecasts

Freedom Day (4/1), Hi Clare (9/2), Ottoman Prince (5/1), Overnight Oats (5/1), Shot Of Love (5/1), Chealamy (8/1), Fly Zone (8/1), Oj Lifestyle (16/1)

OVERNIGHT OATS finished just behind Shot of Love over C&D last month but the Muir & Grassick gelding is slightly better off at the weights this time and is narrowly fancied to turn the tables. Shot of Love made full use of an uncontested lead on that occasion but is clearly in top form and should prove a stern rival for the selection once more, whilst Hi Clare also ran well over C&D last time and merits respect.