Racecards
17:20 Epsom Downs
Vodafone Group Services Handicap (Class C)
- 16 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Good, Good to Firm in places
- Form 110-060
- Age 3
- Weight 9-7
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey M Fenton
in touch, carried wide into straight and lost ground, stayed on well from over 1f out
- Form 61-4
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer E A L Dunlop
- Jockey Kieren Fallon
started slowly, towards rear, headway over 2f out, hard ridden approaching final furlong, edged left and led well inside final furlong, caught post
- Form 041-3
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Trainer P & O Cole
- Jockey Johnny Murtagh
in touch, ridden and no progress from over 2f out
- Form 36-150
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer A M Balding
- Jockey M Dwyer
held up behind, ridden 3f out, soon beaten
- Form 25413-6
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Trainer S Kirk
- Jockey Pat Eddery
chased leaders, ran wide, ridden along 3f out, weakened well over 1f out
- Form 031-02
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer C Hills
- Jockey Michael Hills
started slowly, towards rear, effort on wide outside 2f out, stayed on final furlong, nearest finish
Cashel Mead
221- Form 410011-
- Age 3
- Weight 8-10
- Trainer J Spearing
- Jockey J Mackay
towards rear and wide, always behind
- Form 3550-42
- Age 3
- Weight 8-8
- Trainer Mrs P Dutfield
- Jockey Ted Durcan
started slowly, in rear, never troubled leaders
Soyuz (IRE)
13- Form 621-32
- Age 3
- Weight 8-8
- Trainer M A Jarvis
- Jockey P Robinson
tracked leader, led under pressure just over 1f out, headed well inside final furlong, no extra
- Form 052035
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Trainer M Polglase
- Jockey C Soumillon
prominent, wide into straight, kept on final 2f but not troubled leaders
- Form 21-051
- Age 3
- Weight 8-7
- Trainer G A Butler
- Jockey E Ahern
close up, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
- Form 301404
- Age 3
- Weight 8-6
- Trainer Mrs A Duffield
- Jockey G Duffield
held up behind, unbalanced downhill into straight, never dangerous afterwards
- Form 056-246
- Age 3
- Weight 8-6
- Trainer C & M Johnston
- Jockey K Darley
soon led, ridden and headed just over 1f out, weakening when hampered well inside final furlong, eased afterwards
In depth
Verdict
Newmarket winner Tarjman is open to plenty of improvement and is likely to be popular with the backers but, along with other lightly raced sorts Crafty Calling and Court Masterpiece, lacks the experience of some of his rivals and we prefer to side with Nuit Sombre. Admittedly Mark Johnston's gelding was well held off this mark at Goodwood last time but that was over nine furlongs and, back over a more suitable trip, the son of Night Shift is worth a wager, particularly at the forecast odds. He is likely to get an uncontested lead under Kevin Darley and should prove tough to pass. Tarjman overcame trouble in running when winning at headquarters so a 7lb rise since then seems fair, while Crafty Calling, who finished third in that contest is entitled to finish closer on the revised terms. Court Masterpiece makes his debut in handicap-company but does not appear to be particularly well treated and more solid claims are held by Soyuz, who has been placed off today's mark in his last two starts. Michelle Ma Belle, Into The Breeze and Kawagino, who all found one too good on their most recent starts are others to consider but we shall stick with Nuit Sombre, who makes plenty of appeal at the odds.