13:25 Epsom Downs

Saturday 1 June 2024

All13:2514:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1517:50

Hong Kong Jockey Club Lester Piggott Handicap

Off time: 13:25 | Winning time: 2m 11.15s

(4)

Hot Fuss^p1²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 92

28/1

Pretty useful but exposed and ran below his reappearance form upped in trip when fourth of 7 at Newmarket (10f) 27 days ago. Cheekpieces on for 1st time.

Form: 1462-44

(11)

Persica¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 92

9/2

Dual winner at 2 who has run well on both starts this season, including back in handicap company when fourth of 13 at Newbury (10f) weeks ago, putting in a sustained run from a long way back. Should go well again.

Form: 7101-34

(12)

Golden West^p²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-8| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 91| C

7/1

Decisive winner of minor events at Newcastle and Epsom both starts at 2yrs and has faced stiff tasks on both his outings this season, off the bridle a long way out when running about as well as could be expected in Chester Vase last month. This is more suitable but improvement needed nonetheless.

Form: 11-74

(2)

Grey Cuban²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Hollie Doyle| T: H Palmer| OR: 89

10/1

Came out on top switched to all-weather in a 8.6f Wolverhampton novice in April, pulling 6 lengths clear. Proved to be a disappointment on handicap debut at Chester last time, though. Significantly up in trip.

Form: 2083-16

(8)

Whiskey Pete¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 89| BF

15/2

Made the frame all 3 starts in maidens and took a step forward to make a winning nursery debut at York (7.9f) in October, finding extra when challenged. Lost action when pulled up on return there 16 days ago and isn't far too soon to be writing him off.

Form: 2331-P

(6)

Redhot Whisper^h,t¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Jack Gilligan| T: B Brookhouse| OR: 87

28/1

Fairly useful maiden who was placed again in a first-time hood and tongue strap in 8-runner maiden at Nottingham (8.3f, good) 11 days ago, running on. Tends to race freely, so the step up in trip isn't sure to be in his favour on handicap debut.

Form: 327-832

(3)

Bubbles Wonky¹⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: W Buick| T: T D Easterby| OR: 87

7/1

Confirmed debut promise when off the mark at Catterick in October and ran well under a penalty when second there (7f, good) 19 days ago. Opening mark no gimme but is bred to be suited by the markedly longer trip and the booking of Buick an obvious plus.

Form: 41-2

(1)

Portsmouth²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 83| BF| C

5/2

Promise in 3 starts on the AW at 2 yrs and, gelded during the winter, he improved switched to turf when scoring in good style on his reappearance/handicap debut here (8.5f) in April. Did well under the circumstances when runner-up at Goodwood since and remains open to improvement.

Form: 454-12

(5)

Cool Legend¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 81

14/1

Son of Sea The Stars who displayed race-by-race progress in a trio of AW maidens last year, proving determined when opening his account at Kempton (11f) in December. Gelded thereafter and wasn't disgraced on turf/handicap debut at York (11.8f) 16 days ago.

Form: 531-5

(10)

Prepschool¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Ben Coen| T: M L W Bell| OR: 80

25/1

Winner at 2 yrs who seemed to find the London Gold Cup too competitive at Newbury (10f, good to firm) 14 days ago. Others appeal more.

Form: 124-438

(9)

Blake⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: P W Chapple-Hyam| OR: 79

14/1

Showed improved form to get off the mark on just his second start in a handicap in 9-runner event at Sandown (8f, soft) 9 days ago. Up in trip and may do better still.

Form: 53-321

(7)

Commander Crouch⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-5| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J R Boyle| OR: 74

33/1

7f winner for Richard Hannon at 2 but has been below form all 3 starts for new yard this year, including when only seventh of 9 to Blame at Sandown last week. Up in trip.

Form: 427-667

Forecasts

Portsmouth (5/2), Persica (9/2), Golden West (7/1), Bubbles Wonky (7/1), Whiskey Pete (15/2), Grey Cuban (10/1), Blake (14/1), Cool Legend (14/1), Prepschool (25/1), Redhot Whisper (28/1), Hot Fuss (28/1), Commander Crouch (33/1)

PORTSMOUTH did well to last as long as he did at Goodwood last month, considering the combination of a step up in trip/much more testing ground and a refusal to settle, so he remains of firm interest, especially now back at the scene of his reappearance success. Persica put in a sustained run from a long way back at Newbury on his most recent outing and ought to go well again, with Bubbles Wonky an interesting handicap debutant upped to a trip that promises to suit.