20:40 Epsom Downs

Thursday 18 July 2024

All17:5518:3019:0019:3520:0520:40

Betfred 'The Classic Bookmaker' Handicap

Off time: 20:41 | Winning time: 1m 22.78s

(2)

Novation^b¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Miss Gay Kelleway| OR: 65

11/1

25/1 and blinkered for 1st time, fourth of 7 in maiden at Leicester (6f, good) 12 days ago, no extra final 1f. Booking of Hollie Doyle catches the eye but others appeal more returned to 7f.

Form: 3-67454

(10)

Chiedozie^p,t1²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: Tyler Heard⁽³⁾| T: P S McEntee| OR: 65

33/1

15/2 and cheekpieces on for 1st time, sixth of 7 in handicap at Nottingham (6.1f, good) 29 days ago. Changed hands for 10,000 gns subsequently and tongue strap now added to the cheekpieces. Up in trip.

Form: 0-23456

(9)

Twilight Melody²⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S D Bowen⁽³⁾| T: James Owen| OR: 63

18/1

Outstrip filly who offered minor promise on second 3 starts in novice/maiden company during second half of last year. Will hold more chance now handicapping on return from 8 months off/for new yard and worth noting if the market speaks in her favour.

Form: 660-

(12)

Too Much Trevor^b⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: K T O'Neill| T: Alice Haynes| OR: 63

9/2

Blinkered for 1st time, shaped better than previously this year when third of 11 in handicap (17/2) at Yarmouth (7f, good to soft) 8 days ago. Can get competitive again if headgear has desired effect once more.

Form: 30-3853

(5)

Bonaventure^t⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-7| J: S M Levey| T: S C Williams| OR: 63

12/1

Cheekpieces on for 1st time, ninth of 11 in handicap at Yarmouth (7f, good to soft, 16/1) 8 days ago, losing place over 2f out. Headgear quickly discarded now.

Form: 444949

(3)

Crocus Time²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Alec Voikhansky⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 61

25/1

Maiden who has had plenty of chances in handicaps and having run well when fourth at Salisbury (6f) 2 starts back, she failed to match that when last of 11 in handicap (20/1) at Kempton (7f) 22 days ago. Others more persuasive.

Form: 8-72640

(1)

Bated Breeze^v1⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore| OR: 61

17/2

18/1, respectable fourth of 10 in handicap at Goodwood (7f, good) 41 days ago, no extra late on having set a strong gallop. Visor on 1st time and he could be worth siding with kept to this trip/returned to class 6 company.

Form: 09-3684

(11)

Land Of Magic^h,t⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: R Cook & J Bridger| OR: 60

5/1

9/2 and tongue strap on for 1st time, respectable third of 11 in handicap at Newbury (6f, good to soft) 7 days ago. Operating below last winning mark.

Form: 2-06633

(4)

Nelson Rose^h²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R Havlin| T: A West| OR: 55| BF

7/2

Maiden who was well backed and ran creditably from her easing mark when second of 5 in handicap at Chepstow (7.1f, good to firm) 24 days ago. Not out of things.

Form: 054-942

(7)

Havana Mojito¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-9| J: Darragh Keenan| T: J Gallagher| OR: 51| BF| D

9/2

Much improved when winning 9-runner handicap at Brighton (7f) in June and backed up that effort when runner-up from 4 lb higher mark back at that venue 16 days ago. Remains less exposed than most here and he's one to consider.

Form: 080-012

(6)

Clear Aim^p1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Molly Gunn⁽⁷⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 49

18/1

Posted best effort yet in handicaps when third at Salisbury (7f) on penultimate start in June but not in same form when last of 6 in handicap at Brighton (7f, good to firm) 16 days ago. Cheekpieces now reached for.

Form: 040736

(8)

Jussonemor²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Alice Bond⁽⁷⁾| T: A West| OR: 45

100/1

Lightly-raced maiden. 28/1, fared no better than previously after 7 months off when last of 8 in handicap at Windsor (6f, good to firm) 24 days ago. Yard look to hold stronger claims with Nelson Rose.

Form: 900-8

Forecasts

Nelson Rose (7/2), Havana Mojito (9/2), Too Much Trevor (9/2), Land Of Magic (5/1), Bated Breeze (17/2), Novation (11/1), Bonaventure (12/1), Twilight Melody (18/1), Clear Aim (18/1), Crocus Time (25/1), Chiedozie (33/1), Jussonemor (100/1)

It could be worth taking a chance on BATED BREEZE who did well under the circumstances having set a strong gallop on his first crack at this trip when fourth at Goodwood 6 weeks ago. The application of a first-time visor could put an extra edge on him operating from this career-low mark. Havana Mojito has been in good form at Brighton and is less exposed than most so he's a threat. Too Much Trevor and Nelson Rose can also feature in the finale.