17:50 Epsom Downs

Saturday 4 June 2022

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

JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap

Off time: 17:53 | Winning time: 1m 8.21s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

Commanche Falls^p³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Connor Beasley| T: M Dods| OR: 103| D

9/2

Four wins in very productive 2021, including Stewards' Cup at Goodwood. Enhanced his excellent record fresh when runner-up at Doncaster 5 weeks ago and he's fancied to be in the mix again.

Form: 41170-2

(3)

Regional^t¹⁰⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K Stott| T: E Bethell| OR: 101| D

13/2

Useful gelding who made a successful start for this yard in 6f Haydock handicap last September. Good efforts on 3 of his 4 subsequent starts, including in Group 3 at Doha last time, and should figure once more.

Form: 5/132-42

(4)

Punchbowl Flyer^b¹⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: Charles Bishop| T: Eve Johnson Houghton| OR: 95| D

20/1

Had a tremendous 2021, winning 3 6f handicaps. Reappearance lacked spark but he stepped up on that effort when fifth at Goodwood just over a fortnight ago (7f stretching him as usual). Back at his optimum trip but this is competitive.

Form: 0600-05

(10)

Zargun⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-1| J: Jonathan Fisher⁽⁵⁾| T: S Dixon| OR: 95

33/1

Ran a cracker back up in trip when second of 21 in 6f York handicap last month but not quite in same form at Haydock since, possibly feeling the effects of a busy spell. Others make more appeal.

Form: 70-6626

(6)

Night On Earth^h¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Harry Davies⁽⁵⁾| T: M Appleby| OR: 94

18/1

Being kept busy, winning twice on the all-weather at Kempton and Lingfield earlier this year. Below-par fifth at York a fortnight ago so will need to bounce back if he's to feature.

Form: 113337

(12)

Mr Wagyu^v¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 94| D

12/1

Enjoyed a fine 2021 with five wins, notably the Stewards' Sprint at Goodwood. Yet to make an impact this term but has dropped another 2 lb since latest run.

Form: 346-800

(14)

Alligator Alley¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: Tom Marquand| T: D O'Meara| OR: 92

16/1

Had breathing operation prior to joining this yard and has shown promise if a trio of starts so far. Well treated on past exploits so impossible to dismiss on just his fourth outing for David O'Meara.

Form: 003/340

(5)

Bergerac^p²⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: K A Ryan| OR: 90| D

8/1

Has hit the ground running this year and ran up to best sporting first-time cheekpieces when finishing a nose second at Newmarket on penultimate start. Not in the same form at York last time but would be folly to discount.

Form: 09-3320

(8)

Nelson Gay⁴⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-8| J: George Rooke⁽³⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 88| BF| D

12/1

Useful sort who kept on to be nearest at finish when fourth of 12 on his reappearance at this track over 5f. Ought to be in the shake-up but he does remain 4 lb above his highest winning mark.

Form: 44149-4

(11)

Many A Star²⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Mohammed Tabti⁽⁷⁾| T: P & O Cole| OR: 87| D

10/3

5-y-o who went winless in handful of starts last year but bright start for new yard, showing improved form to run out a decisive winner under this rider at Ascot last month. 6 lb rise to contend with but fancied to be involved.

Form: 30-2631

(15)

Full Authority^t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 85| D

14/1

Fairly useful handicapper who still looked a shade below his best when fourth at Chelmsford last week. Tongue tie on for the first time for this trainer but will need to raise his game to be involved.

Form: 9-45264

(1)

Rayong²⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-4| J: F Norton| T: K R Burke| OR: 84

16/1

Dropped in the weights after a largely unproductive 2021 and bounced back to form with a bang when seeing off 12 rivals on his 5f Pontefract return in April. Found things tougher at Hamilton a month later but he retains handicapping scope and yard are in fine form.

Form: 9247-17

(9)

Muscika^v³⁵

Age: 8| Weight: 8-4| J: S De Sousa| T: D O'Meara| OR: 82| D

18/1

Won 3 times last year but is yet to fully fire this season, only eighth of 12 in handicap at Thirsk (5f, good to firm) 5 weeks ago. Mark eases a shade further and he may get back on track.

Form: 763608

(7)

Spirited Guest²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-4| J: J F Egan| T: G G Margarson| OR: 81| D

33/1

Scored 3 times in 2021 and has returned this year with a couple of respectable efforts on the all-weather. This is a different kettle of fish though, so others are preferred.

Form: 5526-36

Non-Runners

(13)

Premier Power¹³

Weight: 8-9| Age: 5

T: T D Easterby J: Non Runner

Forecasts

Many A Star (10/3), Commanche Falls (9/2), Regional (13/2), Bergerac (8/1), Mr Wagyu (12/1), Nelson Gay (12/1), Full Authority (14/1), Premier Power (14/1), Alligator Alley (16/1), Rayong (16/1), Night On Earth (18/1), Muscika (18/1), Punchbowl Flyer (20/1), Spirited Guest (33/1), Zargun (33/1)

Cases can be made for several but the most compelling is for top-weight COMMANCHE FALLS. Michael Dods's charge ran a cracker returning from 7 months off when runner-up at Doncaster 5 weeks ago and he's fancied to go one better and notch career success number 9. Many A Star had plenty up his sleeve when opening his account for this yard at Ascot last month so he can provide the biggest threat, ahead of Alligator Alley and Nelson Gay in an ultra-competitive finale.