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14:20 Epsom Downs

Weatherbys Bank Blue Riband Trial Stakes (Class 2)

  • 3 Runners
  • Distance: 1m 2f 18y
  • Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
  • Surface: Turf
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 2m 14.02s
  • 3 Ran
1(2)
Silk - Yellow and Black diabolo, Yellow sleeves, Black spots, Yellow cap
8/13
  • Form 01-21
  • Age 3
  • Weight 9-1
  • Official Rating 88

slowly into stride, held up in last place, ridden over 2f out, led just inside final furlong, ridden out

3(1)
Silk - Light Blue and Royal Blue stripes, Royal Blue sleeves, quartered cap
  • Form 017-
  • Age 3
  • Weight 9-1
  • Official Rating 80

led after 1f, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, stayed on

4(3)
Silk - YELLOW, BLACK epaulets
5/2
  • Form 1558-
  • Age 3
  • Weight 8-10
  • Official Rating 103

led 1f, tracked leader after, ridden to lead over 1f out, headed just inside final furlong, stayed on

2(4)
NR
  • Form 2122-1
  • Age 3
  • Weight 9-1
  • Official Rating 97

Nonrunner

In depth

Verdict

This Blue Riband Trial is very unlikely to have any bearing on this year's Vodafone Derby outcome, but Before You Go is entered and can take a step further by beating London Express, with Hanoona and Sienna Storm up against it first time back. Before You Go has not beaten much yet, gaining two wins on the Lingfield Polytrack, the latest of which was back in January. However, this 100,000gns son of Sadler's Wells is held in high regard by Terry MIlls, and is reported to have worked well, so gets the vote to beat London Express. The Mark Johnston inmate appears to have strengthened up considerably over the winter judged on the manner of his easy return victory at Pontefract, but that was in handicap company and he is not even entered in the Derby. The stable is not really in good form on the whole at present, and he is worth taking on. Sienna Storm was well beaten behind London Express's stablemate Nakheel at Pontefract last October, while Hanoona has not been seen since finishing eighth of nine behind Nannina in a Group 3 at Goodwood in August. All in all, the progressive Before You Go makes most appeal.

Formwatch

Before You Go (IRE) 4-5fav (9-1) Settled in last, wide straight, led just inside final furlong, soon clear, won at Lingfield 1m 2f 3yo hcp (4) pol in Jan beating Time For Life (8-13) by 2l, 3 ran.

Sienna Storm (IRE) 25-1 (8-11) In touch, outpaced 3f out, soon ridden and weakened, last of 7, 27l behind Nakheel (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 2yo lst stk (1) gs in Oct.

Hanoona (IRE) 16-1 (8-9) Held up towards rear, ridden 3f out, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 11l behind Nannina (8-9) at Goodwood 7f 2yo fll Grp 3 (1) gd in Aug.

London Express (IRE) 13-2 (8-4) Close up, led over 3f out, ridden over 2f out, soon clear, ran on strongly, won at Pontefract 1m 2f hcp 0-95 (3) hvy beating Shape Up (9-3) by 8l, 10 ran.