17:50 Epsom Downs

Saturday 1 June 2024

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

JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap

Off time: 17:50 | Winning time: 1m 10.47s

(1)

Misty Grey²⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 104| D

7/1

Continued his fine start for current yard to snap a lengthy losing run returned to sprinting in 14-runner handicap at Newcastle (6f) just under 3 weeks ago. Up 6 lb but remains well treated on old form (successful from a mark of 106 on AW in summer 2022).

Form: 742231

(5)

Flaming Rib⁹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Palmer| OR: 104| D

6/1

Smart colt who kickstarted 2023 with victory in 6f Doha conditions event. Below par thereafter though and shaped as if needing the run after 6 months off at Lingfield (6f, AW) back in March, his rider quick to accept things after meeting trouble. Place claims the best he can hope for.

Form: 10707-0

(3)

Apollo One²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: R Kingscote| T: P & J Clutterbuck| OR: 102| D

11/4

In excellent form last year without winning, placed in the Wokingham and Stewards' Cup. Ran up to his best after 7 months off when runner-up at Newmarket (6f, good) 4 weeks ago and he's fancied to be in the shake-up again (most likeable and consistent, second in this last year).

Form: 22230-2

(15)

Rocket Rodney^p1²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Liam Wright⁽⁵⁾| T: George Scott| OR: 100| D

50/1

Notched his third career success at Sakhir in December but ran no sort of race returned to these shores after 3 months off when well behind Misty Grey at Newcastle (6f) just under 3 weeks ago. Hopes pinned on first-time cheekpieces sparking a revival.

Form: 6601-D0

(4)

Badri^p1¹⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Miss J A Camacho| OR: 98| CD

14/1

Hit the target on five occasions last year, rounding off his campaign with a career-best effort at Ascot. Yet to fire this year, though his mark is starting to reflect that, and he did land this corresponding event last season (from 2 lb lower).

Form: 201-090

(7)

Strike Red²⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Garritty| T: R A Fahey| OR: 97| D

22/1

Found things panning out ideally for him when winning 20-runner handicap at the Curragh (6.3f, soft) on his final outing last year. Reappearance effort at Newcastle easy to strike a line through (had a hopeless task from position), so could easily fare better back on turf.

Form: 8/6721-0

(6)

Aleezdancer^b¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: K A Ryan| OR: 97| D

11/2

Failed to kick on from his 2023 reappearance win at Doncaster but capitalised on a falling mark to notch a sixth career success at York (6f, good) 17 days ago, looking rejuvenated by the refitting of blinkers and impressing with how much he found. 6 lb higher and the more rain the better.

Form: 506-301

(11)

Mums Tipple²⁸

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: P J Dobbs| T: R Hannon| OR: 96| D

17/2

Back to form with an excellent effort when finishing runner-up at Kempton in March, almost getting there despite being a lot worse positioned than the smart pair he was clear with. Shaped quite well without being seen to best effect back on turf last time, so needs considering.

Form: 00-8624

(10)

Mr Wagyu^v¹⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 8-9| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 90| CD

5/1

Largely ran well in 2023 and ran creditably after 7 months off from his lowest mark in almost 3 years when runner-up at Ripon (5f, heavy) last month. Probably still in form when 5¼ lengths sixth of 21 to Aleezdancer at York (6f, good) recently. Big shout (won this in 2022 and third last year).

Form: 3850-26

(9)

Executive Decision^h¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J A Osborne| OR: 90| D

16/1

Back-to-back handicap winner over 6f last summer but ended 2023 with a brace of heavy defeats. Shaped as if better for the run after 7 months off at Windsor (6f, good to firm) just under 3 weeks ago and this should reveal what ability remains (is back down to last winning mark).

Form: 11507-6

(2)

Intervention^p⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 8-6| J: A J Farragher| T: M Appleby| OR: 87| D

50/1

Ended 2023 with an impressive 4-timer on all-weather but yet to get his head in front this year, seeming to find the drop back in trip against him at Windsor (5.1f, good to firm) 7 days ago. Headgear quickly back on, but this 7-y-o is evidently more of a force on the AW.

Form: 822973

(14)

Kiwano¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: T E Whelan| T: George Baker| OR: 87| D

80/1

Returned to form from out of the blue when scoring at Sakhir in February. Not in the same form on both subsequent starts on these shores, and he's another that seems to save his very best for the all-weather. Others make more appeal.

Form: 06-8168

(13)

Eminency^t²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Jack Doughty⁽⁷⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 85| D

28/1

Progressed into a useful sprinter last season despite not winning. Tongue tied and shaped as if needing the run on first outing since leaving Clive Cox for 100,000 gns when last of 9 at Ascot (6f, good) just over 3 weeks ago and this should give a better indication of how he'll fare as a 4-y-o.

Form: 43340-9

Non-Runners

(16)

Russet Gold²²

Weight: 8-13| Age: 4

T: R Varian J: James Doyle

(12)

Al Barez³⁴

Weight: 8-11| Age: 5

T: Tom Clover J: Non Runner

(8)

Batal Dubai²⁰

Weight: 8-10| Age: 4

T: Harry Charlton J: C Lee

Forecasts

Apollo One (11/4), Mr Wagyu (5/1), Aleezdancer (11/2), Flaming Rib (6/1), Misty Grey (7/1), Russet Gold (15/2), Mums Tipple (17/2), Al Barez (10/1), Batal Dubai (11/1), Badri (14/1), Executive Decision (16/1), Strike Red (22/1), Eminency (28/1), Intervention (50/1), Rocket Rodney (50/1), Kiwano (80/1)

An ultra-competitive closer to the Derby Festival and although he may be at least a couple years older than any of his rivals, MR WAGYU is selected to enhance his fine record in this race and snap a losing streak going back almost 2 years. Mums Tipple shaped quite well without being seen to best effect at Newmarket 4 weeks ago so he can give the selection most to think about, with Apollo One, Russet Gold and Strike Red a handful of others to consider, too.