17:40 Epsom Downs

Friday 31 May 2024

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1017:40

Molson Coors Handicap

Off time: 17:41 | Winning time: 1m 25.9s

(8)

Rhoscolyn^t⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-2| J: James Doyle| T: D O'Meara| OR: 97| CD

9/1

Won this race back in 2021 and scored 3 times at 7f/1m winner last season. Efforts have been mixed in 2 starts following a good fourth at Haydock (7f) in April but he's certainly not out of things from this sort of mark.

Form: 50-5406

(6)

Dark Thirty²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 10-1| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 96| BF| D

5/1

Likeable sort who posted a career-best effort on back of 6 months off when landing 18-runner Newmarket handicap (6f) in April. Creditable third (English Oak placed second) despite missing the kick back there (7f) 4 weeks ago and he remains on a competitive mark.

Form: 4136-13

(9)

The X O²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-0| J: Rossa Ryan| T: J Ryan| OR: 95

28/1

Dual AW winner who wasn't disgraced on first turf outing of the year when fifth of 9 in handicap at Ascot (6f) 21 days ago, not clear run briefly 2f out and no extra. This his first try beyond 6f.

Form: 0-64705

(2)

Earls^t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Colin Keane| T: G P Cromwell| OR: 91| D

12/1

Highlighted he was coming to the boil at the Curragh prior to resuming winning ways with a bit to spare at Haydock (7f, heavy) in April. Couldn't replicate that level from 5 lb higher mark at Cork (7f, good) since but a good gallop to aim at here will help from handy draw.

Form: 87-5210

(10)

Baldomero^p⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Alistair Rawlinson| T: M Appleby| OR: 91| D

22/1

Consistent 6-y-o who deservedly ended lengthy losing run in 8-runner Goodwood handicap (6f, heavy) on penultimate start. Creditable fourth back up at this trip at Haydock 6 days ago but he appears to have little wriggle room from this mark. Cheekpieces replace visor.

Form: 403214

(4)

Spanish Star²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: P R Chamings| OR: 89| CD

17/2

Won this race from a 1 lb higher mark 12 months ago and plenty of solid efforts in defeat thereafter. Returned with a good fourth at Newbury in April and whilst not in quite the same form when filling same spot at Goodwood (6f) since, no surprise to see him thereabouts back up at 7f.

Form: 7366-44

(7)

Darkness^v¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 87| D

9/1

Boasts just the one win for current stable but threatening to come good again soon, fifth of 15 in handicap at Newmarket (7f) 2 weeks ago, keeping on when badly hampered final 100 yds. Runner-up in this race 12 months ago and he's worth considering.

Form: 035-065

(3)

Sandy Paradise^b²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Finley Marsh| T: R Hughes| OR: 83| D

28/1

At the top of his game on AW in recent months, resuming winning ways at Chelmsford (7f) in April. Found things tougher from career-high mark when fifth at Chester (7f) 23 days ago and this looks a tougher ask again.

Form: 242215

(5)

Marlay Park⁴⁶

22/1

4-time C&D winner who justified good support when successful again here in September. Easy to back, probably needed the run having a rare start sprinting at Windsor (6f) in April. Had wind surgery since and return to this trip rates a plus.

Form: 44124-0

(11)

Mission To Moon²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: R Varian| OR: 92| D

5/2

Makes plenty of appeal on paper (family improve with age) and he quickly resumed progress after 7 months off in 5-runner Goodwood handicap (7f, soft) 4 weeks ago, readily. That unlikely to prove his limit and he's ran well on sole previous start here. Claims.

Form: 42210-1

(1)

Hodler²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Luke Catton⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 81| CD

28/1

C&D winner who goes well when the mud is flying and he returned to form following a low-key start to the season when third behind a most progressive sort at Yarmouth (7f) 4 weeks ago. Mark is steadily easing but this a sterner assignment.

Form: 523-903

(12)

Speeding Bullet²⁰⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: S De Sousa| T: R Hannon| OR: 83| D

4/1

Consistent on the whole as a 2-y-o, opening his account in a Newmarket nursery (7f, good to soft) in October prior to a creditable fourth at Kempton (1m) final outing. Has been gelded ahead of return but this looks a tough ask on seasonal bow.

Form: 025314-

Forecasts

Mission To Moon (5/2), Speeding Bullet (4/1), Dark Thirty (5/1), Spanish Star (17/2), Rhoscolyn (9/1), Darkness (9/1), Earls (12/1), Marlay Park (22/1), Baldomero (22/1), The X O (28/1), Hodler (28/1), Sandy Paradise (28/1)

MISSION TO MOON posted a career best when making a winning return to action at Goodwood 4 weeks ago, defeating a next-time-out winner with a shade more authority than the bare margins imply, and a 4 lb rise is unlikely to prevent him going close again. Darkness, runner-up 12 months ago, comes here in good order and is feared along with Dark Thirty. Last year's winner Spanish Star is another not out of things.