15:40 Epsom Downs

Monday 28 August 2023

All14:3015:0515:4016:1516:5017:20

Betfred Nifty 50 Amateurs' Derby Handicap (Gentleman Amateur Jockeys)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 2m 40.92s

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Selected odds by:

(1)

Appier³¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-10| J: Mr Cian Murphy⁽⁶⁾| T: S Woods| OR: 86| D

28/1

Enhanced excellent strike rate at Lingfield in June and followed that with a solid effort in defeat at Newcastle. Latest effort in 2m Ascot handicap was underwhelming but not without each-way hope back down in trip here.

Form: 313154

(8)

Citizen General^b⁸^{(ex 5)}

Age: 4| Weight: 11-9| J: Mr Fletcher Yarham⁽⁴⁾| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 80| D

5/1

Looked better than ever in first-time blinkers when routing the opposition at Pontefract (1½m, good) 8 days ago. Leading claims turned out quickly under a penalty here.

Form: 129451

(4)

Sun King^t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-7| J: Jack Callan⁽⁶⁾| T: G Boughey| OR: 83

11/1

Maiden winner for Aidan O'Brien last season and, save for a below-par display at Chepstow (1m) recently, he hasn't done much wrong since joining present yard. Stamina to prove now venturing beyond 1¼m for the first time but each-way chance if he does see it out.

Form: 545547

(2)

Ring Of Beara²²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Mr William Easterby| T: T D Easterby| OR: 77

33/1

Hasn't fired in this sphere since landing a Ffos Las maiden at 2 yrs and his effort at Haydock when returning from a break did little to suggest that he's about to turn things around.

Form: 5/9770-0

(6)

Premiere Ligne^p1,t¹⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 11-1| J: Tom Broughton| T: H Morrison| OR: 77| D

9/1

Dual winner in France and stepped up on first 2 starts for current yard when runner-up at Lingfield in June. Put in another good shift when fourth at Brighton (11.9f, good) recently and perhaps the addition of cheekpieces will help eke out a little more.

Form: 61-0824

(11)

Warning Sign³²

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Mr D H Dunsdon| T: G & J Moore| OR: 76| BF

10/1

Successful at 2 yrs in France and produced by far his best effort on these shores when going close under David Dunsdon at Newbury (1¼m, good to soft) last month. 1 lb nudge fair enough and possibilities if coping with this step up in trip.

Form: 86-0802

(9)

Warhol²⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 10-13| J: Mr Simon Walker| T: George Baker| OR: 75

6/1

Got off the mark at Windsor in April and backed it up with an excellent second of 18 at Newbury the following month. Wasn't beaten far back from a break here 25 days ago and he needs considering back up in trip with Simon Walker booked.

Form: 02-3123

(7)

Liberated Light⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 10-10| J: Mr J L Gleeson| T: John E & Kiely| OR: 72

11/4

Opened his account at the ninth attempt when driven out to land a 14-runner maiden at Killarney (1¾m, good to soft) last month. Returns to handicap company on a stiff-looking mark, though.

Form: 009-051

(10)

Restorer^t²²

Age: 11| Weight: 10-6| J: Mr Josh Agar⁽⁴⁾| T: Ian Williams| OR: 68| D

16/1

Arrives here on a long losing run but he has posted a number of creditable efforts in defeat in the interim. Furthermore, he has slipped to a career-low mark and it would be no surprise whatsoever if this 11-y-o is involved in the finish.

Form: 0-73244

(3)

Captain Haddock^p⁵⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 10-6| J: Mr Henry Main⁽²⁾| T: H Main| OR: 68| CD

11/2

Winner of this race in 2021 and wasn't ideally placed when sixth in last year's renewal. 7 lb lower in the weights 12 months on and, having performed well when runner-up back here last time, he has to enter calculations.

Form: 23-2042

(5)

Belgoprince^t⁴⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 10-5| J: Mr B M Coonan⁽⁴⁾| T: A J Martin| OR: 67

12/1

Winner of a Tipperary handicap last month and creditable second of 15 at Killarney (1¾m, good) subsequently. 2 lb nudge fair enough and and should make his presence felt back down in trip here.

Form: 5/00812

Forecasts

Liberated Light (11/4), Citizen General (5/1), Captain Haddock (11/2), Warhol (6/1), Premiere Ligne (9/1), Warning Sign (10/1), Sun King (11/1), Belgoprince (12/1), Restorer (16/1), Appier (28/1), Ring Of Beara (33/1)

Preference is for WARHOL, who is entitled to come on for his latest run here when returning from a break of almost three months and the booking of top amateur Simon Walker adds to his appeal. The 2021 winner of this race, Captain Haddock, is lurking on an attractive mark and may emerge as the main danger, provided he doesn't get caught too far back, while recent wide-margin Pontefract winner Citizen General and Restorer are others to consider.