15:55 Epsom Downs

Tuesday 23 April 2024

All14:1014:4515:2015:5516:3017:05

Weatherbys Global Stallions App Great Metropolitan Handicap

Off time: 15:56 | Winning time: 2m 38.45s

(9)

Greysful Storm¹⁶⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Jason Watson| T: Darryll Holland| OR: 96

28/1

Emphatic winner of a big-field Newbury handicap last spring and runner-up on 3 occasions thereafter, albeit those placed efforts were interspersed with some not-so-good performances. Could go well if ready to roll but some of these may ultimately prove to be better treated.

Form: 294220-

(11)

Wynter Wildes^p¹³⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Mikkel Mortensen⁽⁷⁾| T: C Fellowes| OR: 93| D

28/1

Successful 3 times during a productive 2023 campaign. Also finished a fine third in an AW listed event at Lingfield in November but the downside was that her mark took a significant hit for that and she was predictably held off this revised mark back in handicap company next time.

Form: 591236-

(13)

There's The Door³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: P D Evans| OR: 93

22/1

Bagged 1¼m handicaps at Doncaster and Goodwood last season, both on heavy going. Acts on good/fast ground, too, and this mark is probably within reach but she'll need to step up on her low-key reappearance display if she's to take this.

Form: 31450-8

(10)

Think First¹⁵⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: N Callan| T: N P Mulholland| OR: 92

40/1

Dual AW winner for James Tate at 2 yrs but little to shout about last season and he didn't knuckle down particularly well when narrowly outpointed in a 3-runner affair on his hurdles debut/first run for new yard at Doncaster in November. Others preferred.

Form: 455967-

(6)

The Goat¹⁹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 91| D

7/2

Big step forward when powering clear of his rivals to make a winning handicap debut at Glorious Goodwood (1½m, heavy) last summer. However, he proved pretty disappointing in 3 subsequent starts and remains 10 lb above his Goodwood mark. Gelded.

Form: 631676-

(8)

Champagne Piaff¹⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: G & J Moore| OR: 89| C

5/2

Progressed into a useful handicapper at 3 yrs, winning at Windsor and over this C&D. Came from much further back than the prominently-ridden pair that beat him when returning from a 30-month absence at Bath (10.2f, heavy) recently and he's of strong interest back here with Ryan Moore booked.

Form: 61314/3

(12)

Saratoga Gold²⁰⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee| T: K Frost| OR: 89| CD

14/1

Back-to-back winner of C&D handicaps in 2022 and added to his tally with a wide-margin success at Kempton last July. Seemed to lose his way thereafter, though, and needs to bounce back on this debut for new connections.

Form: 169008-

(3)

Splendent^t¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Tom Marquand| T: P & O Cole| OR: 89| D

5/1

Paid his way in 2023, landing handicaps at Windsor and Newbury before notching third success of that campaign in Hungary. Down the field on recent reappearance upped to 2m at Kempton but will be sharper now and merits respect back at his optimum trip.

Form: 16134-8

(7)

Hope You Can Run^p²⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Hart| T: C Johnston| OR: 85| D

8/1

Held form well in the first half of last season, deservedly getting his head back in front at Catterick when last seen in July (gelded since). Nine-month absence to overcome but he's one to consider all the same.

Form: 553321-

(4)

Duke Of Verona³⁵²

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: P Cosgrave| T: Harry Eustace| OR: 85| D

9/1

Made a winning reappearance last season at Leicester but seen out just once thereafter (well held at Newmarket) and he's entitled to need the run starting out for new connections on the back of an 11-month absence.

Form: 6140/19-

(5)

Vaynor²¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-11| J: Jim Crowley| T: C Hills| OR: 83| D

22/1

Regained the winning thread over this trip at Thirsk in September but started and ended that campaign with poor efforts. Likely to find a few too good.

Form: 1/03519-

(1)

Green Team²¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: Saffie Osborne| T: Ian Williams| OR: 77

25/1

Winner of a novice event at Ayr during 2-y-o campaign for Kevin Ryan but it's been a struggle since, ending last season with a couple of heavy defeats (gelded since). Best to look elsewhere.

Form: 770308-

(2)

Western Stars²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: Harry Davies| T: J R Boyle| OR: 76

11/1

Enjoyed a busy and productive second-half of 2023, winning 3 times between September and December. Should strip fitter following his reappearance spin on the AW at Lingfield and he's not without each-way hope.

Form: 58123-0

Forecasts

Champagne Piaff (5/2), The Goat (7/2), Splendent (5/1), Hope You Can Run (8/1), Duke Of Verona (9/1), Western Stars (11/1), Saratoga Gold (14/1), There's The Door (22/1), Vaynor (22/1), Green Team (25/1), Wynter Wildes (28/1), Greysful Storm (28/1), Think First (40/1)

It's likely that CHAMPAGNE PIAFF will be well found in the market with Ryan Moore booked on the back of an encouraging return from a monster absence at Bath. However, that's just about the only negative mark against this lightly-raced 6-y-o, who was a winner here off this mark on his sole previous visit in September 2021 and he shaped at Bath as though this step back up in trip would be ideal. Splendent and Hope You Can Run are put forward as the main dangers given doubts surrounding The Goat.