16:25 Epsom Downs

Monday 26 August 2024

All14:0714:4215:1715:5216:2517:00

Trustford Handicap

Off time: 16:25 | Winning time: 1m 45.53s

(4)

Lunatick^t1¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-4| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Morrison| OR: 77

7/2

Back on track and looked more tractable than can be the case when runner-up at Brighton (8f, good) 19 days ago. beaten only by one played late. Drops in grade and every chance he will be in the mix if arriving in the same mood.

Form: 20-2552

(7)

Big Bear Hug^p²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 10-1| J: R Havlin| T: A West| OR: 74| C

11/2

Benefited from the step back up in trip to open her account for the year at this track (10.1f, good) last month and again ran well when beaten less than a length into third here again earlier in the month. Havlin back on board and should continue in good heart.

Form: 233613

(5)

Crimson Spirit³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-9| J: R Kingscote| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 75| C

7/4

Won course maiden (7f, good) last summer. Well held next 2 starts 10 months apart but shaped encouragingly having been caught wide once again from a less-than-ideal draw when fifth of 14 in handicap at York (7f, good to firm) last month. Player if building on it.

Form: 6418-75

(3)

English Spirit²⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: J Mitchell| T: H Main| OR: 66| D

10/1

Seems to save his best for Wolverhampton (all 4 wins there) and again ran creditably after just 5 days off when fifth there (8.6f) earlier this month. Now below his last winning mark and one to consider down in grade back on turf.

Form: 155835

(2)

Amancio¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Rossa Ryan| T: J Channon| OR: 72| BF

3/1

Settled better than usual when opening his account in the mud at Haydock (1m) in April and has run at least as well in defeat all 4 outings since, runner-up at same course (10.4f, good to firm) just over 2 weeks ago. Back down in trip and percentage call is to look elsewhere.

Form: 312522

(1)

Centurion Dream^p1²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: P Cosgrave| T: R Hughes| OR: 70

50/1

Kodiac colt who showed fair form when third in a 7f maiden and 1m nursery last year but looked a hard ride back sprinting after 10 months off when well-held fourth of 5 in maiden at Ffos Las (6f, soft) just under 3 weeks ago. Cheekpieces now the headgear of choice.

Form: 43638-4

Non-Runners

(8)

Atlantis Blue¹⁸

Weight: 10-2| Age: 5

T: George Baker J: Jim Crowley

(6)

Unreal Connection¹⁰

Weight: 9-0| Age: 3

T: Mrs A J Perrett J: Rhys Clutterbuck

Forecasts

Crimson Spirit (7/4), Amancio (3/1), Lunatick (7/2), Unreal Connection (4/1), Big Bear Hug (11/2), Atlantis Blue (13/2), English Spirit (10/1), Centurion Dream (50/1)

A tricky puzzle to solve but the most persuasive option is ATLANTIS BLUE, who did well to get as close as she did in pursuit of a hat-trick when fourth at Sandown earlier this month and George Baker's mare remains of interest despite a 2 lb rise. The main threat may emerge from Crimson Spirit, who shaped encouragingly having been caught wide at York last month, with Unreal Connection and Lunatick fancied to go well, too.