21:00 Epsom Downs

Wednesday 3 July 2024

All18:2018:5019:2520:0020:3021:00

Betfred Passionate About Sport Handicap

Off time: 21:02 | Winning time: 1m 23.00s

(1)

Sir Winston²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: Aidan Keeley⁽³⁾| T: George Baker| OR: 87| CD

10/1

Three-time winner last term, including C&D. Recorded a couple of creditable efforts in Bahrain at the start of 2024 but ran below form on his British return at Goodwood last month.

Form: 15-3047

Image of Stars that are filled with the colour gold

(5)

Spanish Star¹⁶

Age: 9| Weight: 9-13| J: David Probert| T: P R Chamings| OR: 86| CD

11/1

C&D winner. 14/1, eleventh of 14 in handicap at Windsor (6f, good to firm) 16 days ago. Doubts about whether he's at the top of his game right now but this is a drop in grade having contested Class 2/3 events previously this season.

Form: 66-4460

(6)

Good Karma^p¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Saffie Osborne| T: J Ferguson| OR: 83| D

11/2

Low-mileage 4-y-o but his 3 efforts this season have been a little underwhelming. This is less competitive than the big-field sprint he contested at York last time but others have less to prove.

Form: 1/10-978

(10)

Holy Fire³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Callum Shepherd| T: C Fellowes| OR: 82

11/1

Bounced back from a poor run on soft ground at Thirsk when creditable fourth of 11 over 7f at Kempton 35 days ago. Needs to prove he's as effective on turf.

Form: 2-772P4

(2)

Tropez Power¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 81| D

11/2

Last 3 wins on AW at Southwell but recent turf efforts have been creditable. Not discounted.

Form: 871533

(9)

Justcallmepete^b¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Joe Leavy⁽⁵⁾| T: H J Evans| OR: 80

11/2

Lower in the weights on turf and he ran well for fourth in a big field at York last time. Should be capable of winning from this mark.

Form: 647-004

(4)

Marlay Park¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 79| CD

11/2

Four-time C&D winner and another creditable effort over C&D when fourth at the end of May. Not so good at Lingfield since but his record here affords him respect.

Form: 124-048

(7)

Hodler¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: William Cox| T: J R Boyle| OR: 79| CD

22/1

C&D winner. Twelve runs since last win in 2023. 14/1, creditable third of 9 in handicap at Lingfield (7f, good to firm) 13 days ago.

Form: 3-90373

(3)

Little Boy Blue^p²³⁰

Age: 9| Weight: 9-5| J: R Havlin| T: W G M Turner| OR: 78| D

28/1

Won a 7f Chepstow handicap last June and third in this race on his next start. Feasibly handicapped again but his peak fitness has to be taken on trust after 7 months off.

Form: 429508-

(8)

Mister Bluebird^p²⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-4| J: J Mitchell| T: H Main| OR: 77| D

7/2

Eleven runs since last win in 2023. 15/2, creditable third of 8 in handicap at Goodwood (6f, good to firm) 24 days ago. Now 5 lb below the mark he defied over 7f at Goodwood last summer. Capable of going well.

Form: 797-403

Forecasts

Mister Bluebird (7/2), Tropez Power (11/2), Good Karma (11/2), Marlay Park (11/2), Justcallmepete (11/2), Sir Winston (10/1), Holy Fire (11/1), Spanish Star (11/1), Hodler (22/1), Little Boy Blue (28/1)

Perhaps this is the day when JUSTCALLMEPETE cashes in on his lower turf mark. Marley Park's fine C&D record makes him a must for the shortlist, while Mister Bluebird and Tropez Power are both more than capable from their current marks.