15:50 Epsom Downs

Wednesday 26 April 2017

All14:1014:4515:1515:5016:2517:00

Investec City And Suburban Handicap

Off time: 15:53 | Winning time: 2m 7.89s

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Selected odds by:

(12)

Great Hall¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: P Cosgrave| T: M Quinn| OR: 102

20/1

Course winner who won back to back races towards the end of last year. Has struggled off his revised mark since though and trainer has just one win from 33 rides for this trainer.

Form: 53-4746

(3)

Eddystone Rock^h²⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Kieren Fox| T: J R Best| OR: 99

10/1

Very consistent for the Johnny Murtagh stable in 2016 and ran creditably on debut for this yard at Lingfield when not beaten far. Another good effort in the Lincoln at the start of the month so clearly in good form currently and has won on undulating tracks before. Slight concern he may bump into a couple on lenient marks though.

Form: 1-34768

(2)

Speed Company^h¹⁸⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: R L Moore| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 99

9/2

Strong stayer who completed a hat-trick at the start of last season before losing his way a little. Got back on track with a good fourth at Ayr and confirmed that promise with a win at Doncaster when last seen. Shapes like he wants a step up in trip but not without a chance if they go too quick and respected with this man in the saddle.

Form: 04641-5

(4)

Innocent Touch¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 94

4/1

Won his only start at this course when scoring over C&D back in August and if he can come on for his recent comeback run (third of nine at Pontefract) he could run a big race for a yard in flying form.

Form: 2510-37

(11)

Banditry^h⁵⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: S Donohoe| T: Ian Williams| OR: 91

13/2

Won over C&D here on fast ground back in 2015 and didn't win again until his last two Flat starts, both on the AW. Needs to prove he can be effective off this kind of mark on turf though and his draw is a little inconvenient.

Form: 621-126

(6)

Dutch Uncle³⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: S De Sousa| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 90

10/1

Very disappointing on the AW this season, well-backed on many occasions but struggling to get his head in front (one win from eight starts). Often travels well but has to race off a mark that looks on the high side. Opposable despite the jockey booking.

Form: 3-26125

(5)

Gawdawpalin²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: Tom Marquand| T: S Kirk| OR: 89

5/1

Remembered for springing a 25/1 surprise over C&D on Derby Day last year but hasn't won since. Some respectable efforts on the AW recently but continues to rise in the handicap for not winning and while the drop back in trip is of no concern, he would probably want rain to be seen to best effect.

Form: 052-243

(1)

Abareeq¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: F Norton| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 87

10/1

Four-time winner on the AW but has failed to score on turf in seven starts to date. Allowed to operate off a 15lb lower mark to compensate though and likely to have improved since his last turf effort. Best efforts on grass have come on good to firm ground so he wouldn't want to see any rain and yard have been a little quieter than usual at this time of year.

Form: 171509

(13)

Van Huysen¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: Josephine Gordon| T: D J S Ffrench Davis| OR: 85

25/1

Handicapper has finally caught up with him after winning five races in nine starts in the second half of 2016. In too deep last time in a valuable Class 2 event and will no doubt appreciate the step down in class. All his best efforts on turf have had firm in the going description so unlikely to want any rain and probably needs a little relief from the handicapper.

Form: 243370

(10)

Brorocco^h¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: J Quinn| T: A M Balding| OR: 85

7/1

Struggled from his revised mark after scoring impressively on good to firm ground twice last summer. Not entirely straightforward and the hood is retained once again today. Will need a strong pace to aim at, particularly from this draw.

Form: 1433-51

(8)

Faithful Creek^p¹⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-3| J: L Morris| T: M Appleby| OR: 84

8/1

First win in 23 starts at Southwell in February but has helf his form well since then and while he was well beaten by the winner last time at Leicester, he was clear of the remainder and the third has come out and won again since. Remains to be seen if he's as effective dropped back in trip but looks like one of the more likely types.

Form: 7-45132

Non-Runners

(7)

Dolphin Vista²⁵

Weight: 9-4| Age: 4

T: R A Fahey J: Connor Murtagh

(9)

Storm Rock²⁵

Weight: 8-9| Age: 5

T: H J L Dunlop J: David Probert

Forecasts

Innocent Touch (4/1), Dolphin Vista (4/1), Speed Company (9/2), Gawdawpalin (5/1), Banditry (13/2), Brorocco (7/1), Faithful Creek (8/1), Dutch Uncle (10/1), Eddystone Rock (10/1), Abareeq (10/1), Great Hall (20/1), Van Huysen (25/1), Storm Rock (25/1)

It will be interesting to see how Galapiat goes earlier on the card and his performance could well reflect the chance of FAITHFUL CREEK who was a distant runner-up to that rival when last seen. That was still a respectable effort and the form has a solid look to it so he should go well once again. Dolphin Vista wasn't seen to best effect last time out in the Lincoln when given too much to do but he did stay on eye-catchingly well and will enjoy this step up in trip. Eddystone Rock looks like a solid contender and his consistency could see him run a place at the very least.