Saturday 1st June

[Devasteve]

Much as expected yesterday with nothing anywhere close. The only sad thing about it is that today’s fields offer even less scope for finding winners bar the penultimate race, and the way things have been going of late I’ll probably get that wrong!

Epsom 15.45 Cl 2 Hcap 616 (93.2) 5f gd – 20 Run
3yo = 7lbs wfa allowance

Last year – 616 (90.4) gd – 20 ran
Tanasoq 12/1 5-8-0 (88) Dr 16 by 1.75l from Pettosochside 33/1 9-8-12 (95) Dr 12
Just That Lord 16/1 5-8-3 (86) Dr 1 was 2.25l 3rd
Blue de Vega 8/1 5-8-13 (96) Dr 14 was 4l 4th
Dark Shot 11/2 F 5-8-0 (88) Dr 19 was 4.25l 5th
Duke Of Firenze 12/1 9-9-10 (107) Dr 10 was 4.5l 6th
Caspian Prince 7/1 9-9-9 (106) Dr 2 was 8.02l 13th
Boom The Groom 13/2 7-8-10 (93) Dr 9 was 11.22l 19th

Copper Knight 5-9-4 (104) Dr 15
9/1* Cons 6* AB 201* Lto 310* SF 108* Rat 119
25 May Cl 2 Hcap (310/93.5) 5f gd/fm York 6/1 9-10 1.5l 3/19 off 105 – 109
tracked leaders, led over 2f out, headed inside final furlong, no extra
16 May Cl 2 Hcap (190/91.8) 5f gd/fm York 8/1 9-3 1l 1/21 off 100 – 109*
always prominent, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, edged left and clear inside final furlong, ran on
09 May Cl 2 Hcap (210/93.3) 5f gd/sf Chest 11/8 F 9-7 1l 2/9 off 100 – 105
led, pushed along over 1f out, ridden and headed towards finish
Has done well since joining the Easterby yard from Hugo Palmer in the spring of 2017, raising his official rating by over a stone with 5 wins in rising class, 3 at York; made a creditable return to current season when 4/16 to Saheeq (-15) in an 310/93.4 hcap at Musselburgh in April; made favourite when dropped in class in a 210/93.3 at the Chester May meeting, but unable to hold off the challenge of Merhoob (-2); returned to favoured York the following week and dropped again to a 190/91.8 recorded a career best in proving too strong for Foolaad (-2); it was back to York again last weekend and back up in class to 310/93.5 off his new mark of 105; however, weight told in the final furlong and he was unable to hold off Duke Of Firenze (-20) and Dark Shot (-19); meets them on 5lbs and 1lb better terms, respectively, today as today’s race only incurs a 4lbs penalty for his York win; although more valuable, today’s race is only of similar opposition strength to that at York last weekend and thus he can be expected to be competitive again; consistent in the forecast and fourth highest on ability, yet only mixed rating support; nevertheless, a contender.

Duke Of Firenze 10-8-3 (89) Dr 19
7/1* Cons 4* AB 181* Lto 310* SF 108* Rat 129*
25 May Cl 2 Hcap (310/93.5) 5f gd/fm York 16/1 8-4 0.25l 1/19 off 85 – 94
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, ran on to lead well inside final furlong, hung left, ran on
18 May Cl 4 Hcap (60/74.1) 5f gd Thir 8/1 9-10 0.25l 1/16 off 82 – 91
held up towards rear, headway over 1f out, soon switched left, ran on well inside final furlong, led towards finish
10 May Cl 3 Stks (120) 5f hv Chest 11/2 9-4 3.5l 2/6 off 82 – 85
off the pace in rear, headway travelling well and switched right 2fout, went 2nd inside final 2f, ran on inside final furlong, no chance with winner
Winner of the 2013 renewal carrying 9-0 off 97, he’s shown he’s still a force to be reckoned with in following up a minor hcap win at Thirsk by taking the feature sprint at York last weekend from Dark Shot (+1) and Copper Knight (+20); however, those successes have incurred a 7lbs penalty in all, which means he runs off a 4lbs higher mark than last weekend, making chances of conforming that form tougher; nevertheless, has won off triple digit marks in the past and is in the best of form at present; consistent in the forecast and among the five highest on ability, plus has solid ratings support; hard to see him as the strongest contender though.

Hathiq 5-8-2 (88) Dr 18
9/2* Cons 4* AB 103 Lto 140 SF 90 Rat 128*
26 May Hcap (140/83.3) 5f gd/fm Curr 5/2 jt F 9-9 3.75l 1/7 off 84 – 102*
close up far side, going well in close 2nd at halfway, led 1 1/2f out and soon ridden clear, comfortably
25 Apr Hcap (140/76.5) 5f`yld Tipp 8/1 8-11 3.5l 1/13 off 73 – 96
Broke well and made all on stands' side, shaken up to extend advantage entering final furlong, stayed on strongly
Winner on the AW at Kempton as a 2yo, but then off for a year before being gelded and then off for a further 13 months before moving to Hogan’s yard in Ireland in March; things have progressed rapidly since then for after a sighter at the end of the month he was runner-up in a Dundalk claimer in mid-April; was then an easy winner of a Tipperary hcap a week later and put away for a month till appearing at the Curragh on Sunday where he again was a comfortable winner off an 11lbs higher mark; steps up in class yet again today with just a 4lbs penalty for that success, which would surely have been more had the handicapper had his say; no knowing how good he might be, but consistent in the forecast and does have some rating support and dangerous to ignore his potential; a definite contender.

Dark Shot 6-8-0 (86) Dr 9
11/1* Cons 9# AB 63 Lto 310* SF 105* Rat 123*
25 May Cl 2 Hcap (310/93.5) 5f gd/fm York 25/1 8-5 0.25 2/19 off 86 – 94
mid-division, headway over 2f out, soon chasing leaders, led inside final furlong, headed closing stages, carried left towards finish, kept on
16 May Cl 2 Hcap (190/91.8) 5f gd/fm York 20/1 8-3 2l 5/21 off 86 – 87
chased leaders, ridden 2f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
24 Apr Cl 3 Hcap (120/84.5) 5f gd/fm Epsom 4/1 F 8-8 0.25l 2/10 off 82 – 89
in touch, headway to chase leading pair over 1f out, ridden and ran on inside final furlong, not reach winner
Not won since September 2016, but has been fine form this term being only narrowly beaten on two of his three starts to date, the latest at York last Saturday; revised weights would suggest that he’s capable of reversing form with Duke Of Firenze, but the fact he’s an intermittent winner count against; consistent in the forecast and has ratings support, but not the strongest contender for the win methinks.

Daschas 5-8-0 (86) Dr 20
20/1 Cons 8* AB 63 Lto 60 SF 96 Rat 117
18 May Cl 4 Hcap (60/82.0) 5f gd Nwmk 11/4 F 9-5 0.25 1/9 off 82 – 89
tracked leader, ridden over 1f out, every chance inside final furlong, led close home
01 May Cl 4 Hcap (70/79.2) 5f gd/fm Ascot 7/2 F 9-2 0.5l 2/13 off 80 – 89*
tracked leaders, headway and effort over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on to press winner inside final 100 yards, always just held
Won a 100/86.9 over 6f at Ascot last July off 77 and looks to be in improved form this term, setting a career best when runner-up at Ascot on his return at the start of the month, and matching that when winning at Newmarket a fortnight ago; raised 4lbs for that, but gets in here off bottom weight and the stable won the 2010 renewal with Bertoliver off bottom weight; among the three most consistent in the field and while there are no supporting factors, not entirely ignored.

As usual, a cavalry charge in which a case could be made for any number. As such, definitely a race to leave alone as a betting proposition. However, my best suggestions would be the Irish raider Hathiq with Copper Knight likely to make the frame, and as a possible longshot, Daschas.

Epsom 17.15 Cl 2 Hcap 311 (94.4) 12f gd – 11 Run

Last year – 311 (92.5) gd – 17 ran
Dash Of Spice 11/4 F 4-8-4 (87) Dr 9 by 6l from Golden Wolf 8/1 4-8-4 (87) Dr 2
Eddystone Rock 14/1 6-9-2 (99) Dr 17 was 14.3l 10th
Grandee 25/1 4-9-5 (102) Dr 19 was 26.05l 15th

Eddystone Rock 7-8-9 (92) Dr 10
9/1* Cons 6* AB 143* Lto 130 SF 99* Rat 115*
25 May Cl 3 Hcap (130/83.4) 13.5f gd Chest 4/1 9-7 1l 1/7 off 89 – 96
held up and behind, headway well over 1f out, soon ridden, stayed on to lead towards finish
11 May Cl 3 Hcap (160/90.7) 12f gd/sf Ascot 9/1 9-4 3.5l 3/7 off 89 – 93
tracked leaders on inside, outpaced 2f out, stayed on into 3rd final100 yards, no chance with winner
24 Apr Cl 3 Hcap (120/87.6) 12f gd Epsom 6/1 9-0 3.25l 2/12 off 88 – 93
mid-division, headway 2f out, ridden and ran on final furlong, nearest finish
Consistent performer on turf this year snapping a long losing streak at Leicester in early April off 85; then finished runner-up to Soto Sizzler (-5) over C&D here later in the month off 88; raised 1lb for that but found Sextant (0) too tough an opponent over this trip and finished a 3.5l staying-on 3rd; upped to 13.5vf at Chester last weekend, found the trip ideal and stayed on for the victory off 89; runs off a 3lbs higher mark today, but while he’s better off at the weights with both Soto Sizzler and Sextant may find it tough to reverse previous running over this trip. Consistent in the forecast and second highest on ability, has strong rating support; however, not the strongest contender.

Sextant 4-9-0 (97) Dr 7
7/4* Cons 4* AB 129* Lto 160 SF 76 Rat 115*
11 May Cl 3 Hcap (160/90.7) 12f gd/sf Ascot 7/1 9-4 3.25l 1/7 off 89 – 101*
steadied start, held up last, good headway on outside over 2f out, went 2nd inside final 2f, led and edged right over 1f out, soon clear, stayed on strongly
Three starts as a 3yo, winning the second over 12f at Newbury last August; gelded between seasons and made a promising return when winning on his hcap bow with Eddystone Rock (0) back in third; has been raised 8lbs for that dominant victory and likely to have come on for the run; consistent in the forecast and among the five highest on ability, only has partial ratings support, but this will only be his fifth start, so plenty of scope; a definite contender.

Grandee 5-8-7 (90) Dr 3
9/1* Cons 9* AB 119 Lto 190 SF 102 Rat 116
A rare inbound transfer that failed to win in his first season, but got off the mark in a 60/80.6 over 10f at Newcastle in April; has since finished a staying on 4/11 to UAE Prince in a 190/93.2 hcap over 10.5f at York off a 9lbs higher mark and now moves up in trip; consistent in the forecast, but not a lot of support from other pointers and perhaps not the strongest of contenders.

Soto Sizzler 4-8-5 (88) Dr 11
3/1* Cons 14 AB 296* Lto 120 SF 98* Rat 117*
24 Apr Cl 3 Hcap (120/87.6) 12f gd Epsom 11/4 F 8-9 3.25l 1/12 off 83 – 94*
raced wide close up, headway over 1f out, ridden to lead just inside final furlong, ran on
Won over this trip at Goodwood last August and after a satisfactory return on his AW debut at Kempton in March, recorded his second success over the trip when getting the better of Eddystone Rock (+5) here in late April; raised 5lbs for that, likely to have more to offer as the season progresses; whether that he today we shall see, as not consistent as yet, but highest on ability and has strong ratings support; looks to be a contender.

Cases could be made for several others, including the Johnston duo of Aquarium and Fire Fighting. As the latter seems to struggle somewhat in Cl 2, I’d be more inclined to go for Aquarium, for while he is up in trip off a 2lbs higher mark, he is a course winner and may well enjoy this trip.

I’m sure Eddystone Rock will run his race, but I think this will likely lie between Sextant and Soto Sizzler, a pair of lightly-raced 4yos who could go on to bigger and better things. So for me it’s Sextant from Soto Sizzler with perhaps Aquarium holding off Eddystone Rock for the minor placings.

Epsom 17.50 Cl 2 Hcap 311 (88.8) 6f gd – 17 Run (16 at best)

Last year – 311 (89.4) gd – 16 ran
Aces 11/2 Jt F 6-8-7 (87) Dr 4 by 1.75l from Russian Realm 33/1 8-8-3 (83) Dr 5
Ashpan Sam 12/1 9-8-6 (86) Dr 15 was 11.85l 9th
Manshood 25/1 5-8-2 (82) Dr 3 was 14.35l 11th
Watchable 7/1 8-8-13 (93) Dr 12 was 19.6l 13th

Watchable 9-8-11 (93) Dr 5
7/1* Cons 6* AB 189* Lto 80 SF 109* Rat 115*
04 May Cl 3 Hcap (80/87.8) 6f gd Donc 9/2 9-7 0.5l 1/9 off 90 – 98
made all, ridden just over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, ran on
Carries 2lbs less physical weight than when down the field in last year’s renewal and coming from winning the same Doncaster race off the same mark; that doesn’t augur well for a better result this time round for the 9yo; consistent in the forecast, second highest on ability and support from the ratings, but not the strongest contender for the win.

Spanish City 6-8-13 (95) Dr 14
9/2* Cons 12* AB 66 Lto 100 SF 98 Rat 116*
18 May Cl 3 Hcap (100/87.8) 7f gd Nwmkt 7/4 F 9-7 0.25l 2/6 off 94 – 101*
held up, headway on outer 2f out, every chance over 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, headed close home
Ran some fine races in valuable hcaps over 7f last season and made a promising return at Newmarket last month; dropped back to 6f today for the first time since June 2017 before he was gelded; consistent in the forecast, but little other to recommend his chances today and not a strong contender.

Beyond Equal 4-8-5 (87) Dr 6
7/1* Cons 12* AB 56 Lto 80 SF 95 Rat 113*
04 May Cl 3 Hcap (80/87.8) 6f gd Donc 11/2 9-5 1.75l 4/9 off 88 – 90
took keen hold, with leaders, every chance over 2f out, ridden well over 1f out, held when switched right inside final furlong
Wins came in pairs last season, in May and then on his last two starts in the autumn; made his return behind Watchable (+2) at Doncaster last month and while he’s 4lbs better off today one doubts that’ll be enough to turn the tables; consistent in the forecast, but little else to recommend him and not a strong contender.

Lake Volta 4-9-7 (103) Dr 12
5/1* Cons 14# AB 87* Lto 160 SF 102* Rat 116*
24 May Cl 2 Hcap (160/93.1) 6f gd/fm Good 3/1 F 9-9 2/25l 1/8 off 98 – 109*
quickly away, made all and always going well, ran on well, ridden out, unchallenged
17 May Cl 2 Hcap (130/92.7) 7f gd Thir 11/4 F 9-2 1.75 3/10 off 98 – 102
led, headed over 1f out, kept on, not much room well inside final furlong
Predominantly campaigned over 7f, winning over that trip at Yarmouth at the end of April; tried to front-run in the Victoria Cup and considering did well to finish in the top ten; dropped in class at Thirsk a week later but could only manage 3rd to Admirality (-8); dropped even further in class last weekend, but was also dropped back to 6f and made all to secure the victory; has been raised 5lbs today and goes back up in class, although remains over 6f; to the front of the forecast but only fifth in the field on both consistency and ability, although enjoys strong rating support; has to be considered a contender against weaker opposition than last weekend, despite the rise in weight.

Not the greatest race for a finale and I was scratching to find any contenders. I guess Lake Volta looks the most likely, with Spanish City and perhaps Watchable to follow him home.