17:45 Epsom Downs

Sunday 1 October 2023

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

Epsom Downs Season Finale Handicap

Off time: 17:47 | Winning time: 1m 22.25s

(2)

Farasi Lane^v²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-2| J: H Crouch| T: T Ward| OR: 87| D

4/1

Latest win at Ascot in July and arrives on the back of a couple of creditable efforts in second, running on well at Wolverhampton on latest. Should make his presence felt again.

Form: 531922

(4)

Bresson^p²²

Age: 3| Weight: 10-0| J: Benoit D L Sayette| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 87

11/2

Useful juvenile at up to 7f. Shaped as if retaining all his ability when 4 lengths fifth of 13 in 7f Goodwood handicap on reappearance. Has produced a couple of tame efforts subsequently, though.

Form: 125-500

(8)

Marlay Park¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 83| CD

10/3

Likeable type who added to a terrific C&D record when beating Secret Strength 17 days ago. Another big effort seems assured if the pace is solid.

Form: 653441

(1)

Maxi Boy^p²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Billy Loughnane| T: M L W Bell| OR: 83

16/1

Hasn't won for a while and latest effort at Kempton was rather uninspiring. Mark is a handy one but others make more appeal.

Form: 2-40326

(6)

Man Of Eden^b²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: K Stott| T: H & R Charlton| OR: 83| BF

5/2

AW maiden winner on yard debut in January. Has drawn a blank in handicaps since but there have been several good efforts and he wasn't seen to best effect at Ascot last time. Worth considering.

Form: 423335

(7)

Little Boy Blue^p,t¹⁶

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Shariq Mohd⁽⁷⁾| T: W G M Turner| OR: 81| D

18/1

Showed a good attitude to edge out an in-form rival at Chepstow in June and posted several solid efforts subsequently. Found run of form coming to an end at Chester last time but no surprise if he's back on his game.

Form: 136429

(5)

Bowman^p¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: William Carson| T: Mrs L J Mongan| OR: 79| CD

16/1

Ended last season out of form and was down the field over C&D on return. Could strip fitter for that and his mark has become very appealing.

Form: 04580-7

(3)

Secret Strength^p¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Luke Catton⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 75| D

7/1

Scored at Newbury in June and back on track when a staying-on second to Marley Park over C&D last time. Up 2 lb for that and not the most reliable, so unlikely to reverse form.

Form: 180352

Forecasts

Man Of Eden (5/2), Marlay Park (10/3), Farasi Lane (4/1), Bresson (11/2), Secret Strength (7/1), Maxi Boy (16/1), Bowman (16/1), Little Boy Blue (18/1)

MAN OF EDEN has shaped as if ahead of his mark on more than one occasion and, having had excuses at Ascot last time, he's worth a chance to belatedly put it all together. Course-specialist Marlay Park is an obvious threat and Farasi Lane should go well again.