17:50 Epsom Downs

Friday 1 June 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1517:50

Investec Zebra Handicap

Off time: 17:50 | Winning time: 1m 25.09s

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Selected odds by:

(3)

Accession⁴⁵

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: S Donohoe| T: C Fellowes| OR: 98| D

20/1

Inconsistent sort who ran okay at Newmarket when third of 14 in April but no certainty to back that up and others look better handicapped.

Form: 87160-3

(2)

Black Bess²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Paddy Bradley⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 94| CD

10/1

7f specialist and C&D winner here in 2016. Produced just about a career best at Lingfield last time out and dangerous when she's allowed to dominate from the front. Drawn well to do that here and there's not a lot of pace in the race; not ruled out.

Form: 1362-91

(8)

Shared Equity²⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: J Garritty| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 93| BF| D

9/1

Not won since 2015 but he ran well at this meeting in 2016 and two of his three efforts this term have been promising. Well-handicapped on old form and capable of going well here.

Form: 0/70-263

(13)

Taurean Star²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Harry Bentley| T: R M Beckett| OR: 92| D

6/1

Got his head back in front on just his second start for new connections at Goodwood last time out. Never won from a mark this high and chance dependent on a decent pace to aim at, particularly from this wide draw.

Form: 0968-61

(12)

Right Action²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 92| D

16/1

Well beaten in his hat-trick bid at Goodwood last time behind Taurean Star, hampered at a crucial stage. Worth giving another chance to and won't mind the ground here.

Form: 1-92117

(4)

Juanito Chico^h⁴⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: A Kirby| T: W Jarvis| OR: 90| CD

6/1

Sole success last year came over C&D but in good form throughout the campaign and the form towards the end of the year looks strong. Perhaps needed the run at Newmarket last time and capable of going well here.

Form: 31424-8

(5)

Ripp Orf¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Hayley Turner| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 89| BF| D

9/2

Very consistent and hasn't finished outside the first two in his last eight starts. Clear career best when an impressive winner of a competitive Ascot handicap in May and drop back in trip from 1m last time could help him get his head back in front.

Form: 212212

(9)

Swift Approval⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: S C Williams| OR: 88| D

25/1

Has been largely out of form of late but produced a much better effort at Goodwood last time when third of eight. No certainty to back that up but has claims if he can and has done most of his winning on undulating tracks.

Form: 563093

(1)

Belle Meade²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: David Probert| T: A M Balding| OR: 85

20/1

Not won since her debut when winning a maiden at Pontefract. Shown very little since joining this yard and hard to fancy after finishing last of nine at Ascot in May.

Form: 3/5760-9

(11)

Pastoral Player⁷

Age: 11| Weight: 8-13| J: Charlie Bennett⁽³⁾| T: H Morrison| OR: 85| CD

40/1

C&D winner in July last year but not as much as placed since that effort and getting a little long in the tooth now. May need some relief from the handicapper before getting involved again.

Form: 1460-55

(7)

Roland Rocks¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-4| J: Raul Da Silva| T: J Ryan| OR: 86

25/1

Not won since winning his maiden and only promising effort since came on dirt at Meydan. Shown few signs a return to the winners' enclosure is near on turf lately and others preferred.

Form: 600986

(10)

Clubbable¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-3| J: P Mathers| T: R A Fahey| OR: 85| D

8/1

Rounded off last year win a first win and picked up where she left off when winning a competitive handicap at York on return. Likely capable of better this year and a leading contender here.

Form: 22261-1

(14)

Albishr^p1²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: N Mackay| T: S Dow| OR: 84| D

33/1

Not won since his debut effort at Haydock and best efforts since have either come on faster ground or AW. Wears first-time cheekpieces and others preferred.

Form: 247069

(6)

Galloway Hills^b²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: S De Sousa| T: D R C Elsworth| OR: 84

9/2

Improved from debut to win over 5f at Lingfield. Looks just as effective on turf based on two decent runs at Newmarket and every chance he will be well suited by this step up in trip with De Sousa keeping the ride.

Form: 124823

Forecasts

Ripp Orf (9/2), Galloway Hills (9/2), Taurean Star (6/1), Juanito Chico (6/1), Clubbable (8/1), Shared Equity (9/1), Black Bess (10/1), Right Action (16/1), Belle Meade (20/1), Accession (20/1), Swift Approval (25/1), Roland Rocks (25/1), Albishr (33/1), Pastoral Player (40/1)

A highly competitive finale to the card in which a couple of the three-year-olds look to have solid claims. Clubbable arrives in a belated hat-trick bid after winning on her return and she's not necessarily the yard's second string with Richard Fahey's stable jockey unlikely to be able to do such a low weight. However, it's GALLOWAY HILLS who is narrowly preferred after two promising runs on turf and the step up in trip looks certain to suit. Stablemate Ripp Orf will be hard to keep out of the first three if he handles the track while that won't be an issue for Juanito Chico who has a course and distance win to his name and can't be ruled out.