17:05 Epsom Downs

Tuesday 23 April 2024

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

Betfred 'Nifty 50' Handicap

Off time: 17:07 | Winning time: 1m 45.45s

(10)

Mr Baloo¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 81| C

3/1

Course winner. Career best when winning 5-runner handicap (15/2) at Kempton (7f) 13 days ago. Progressive sort who is unlikely to be troubled by the longer trip, while his experience of this track is a big plus, so strong claims.

Form: 39113-1

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(3)

Galloping On^p¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: R Kingscote| T: C G Cox| OR: 80

20/1

Upped in trip for his handicap bow, ran well when second of 5 at Lingfield on penultimate outing. Probably undone by the testing conditions (also pulled hard) at Bath last time, so too soon to write off.

Form: 422-26

(9)

Invincible Aura²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Harry Davies| T: M Botti| OR: 80

10/1

Opened his account at Southwell in March, then acquitted himself well in a reasonable handicap at Wolverhampton last time. Others have a bit more potential but he should give his running.

Form: 4203-14

(8)

Commander Crouch²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 78

28/1

First run since leaving Richard Hannon when last of 6 in handicap at Kempton (7f, 28/1) 27 days ago. Up in trip. Arrives with something to prove and others make more appeal.

Form: 21427-6

(2)

I Love Paris¹⁵⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 78

8/1

Signs of promise prior to a respectable nursery debut at Kempton 5 months ago. More required but returns with his stable going well, so not completely dismissed.

Form: 3535-

(7)

Show Biz Kid¹⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 76

6/1

Encouragement on first two starts and latest effort at Wolverhampton 6 months ago. Type to make a better 3yo and stable has made a solid start to the campaign, so one to consider.

Form: 436-

(1)

Gone Rogue¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Jason Hart| T: C Johnston| OR: 76

6/1

Dual winner at 2 who failed to justify support when only fifth at Lingfield on return. Not seen to best effect that day, however, and remains open to progress stepped up in distance.

Form: 2110-5

(5)

Whathappensinvegas⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: Ian Williams| OR: 74

40/1

Seemed to improve when 9¾ lengths fifth of 7 to Legend of Time in listed race (80/1) at Meydan (9f, good) 52 days ago, albeith he was probably flattered. Rejoined yard after leaving Osama Refai. Very difficult to weigh up on handicap debut.

Form: 084-585

(11)

Portsmouth¹³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 74

4/1

Improved on both starts since his debut last season, fourth in a novice at Kempton 4 months ago. Gelded since and pedigree points to him being better than a mark of 74, so definite player.

Form: 454-

(6)

Dashinwhitesargent¹⁴⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: H Morrison| OR: 73

14/1

Continued his progress when second in a maiden at Lingfield 4 months ago but handicapper has been far from lenient with his opening mark, so another step up is required if he's to feature.

Form: 652-

(4)

Great Chieftain^b1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: C Lee| T: P & O Cole| OR: 71

12/1

Signs of encouragemennt in three runs to date, albeit looking quirky at times. Blinkered switched to handicaps and has some physical scope, so there could be more to come.

Form: 5-36

Forecasts

Mr Baloo (3/1), Portsmouth (4/1), Show Biz Kid (6/1), Gone Rogue (6/1), I Love Paris (8/1), Invincible Aura (10/1), Great Chieftain (12/1), Dashinwhitesargent (14/1), Galloping On (20/1), Commander Crouch (28/1), Whathappensinvegas (40/1)

MR BALOO improved to gain a third career success at Kempton last time and, with track experience to call upon, he's fancied to go in again at the possible expense of Portsmouth, a notable handicap debutant. Gone Rogue is still one to bear in mind despite an underwhelming reappearance.