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Private Banking Stakes (Handicap) �V Form Comments

03/06/2016

2016m – Turf

1

Champagne City

His three wins have come on a variety of different ground conditions, and, though they have all been over shorter than this, there is little worry about stamina. Dropping back to handicap company after leading for much of the journey in a Listed race at Newmarket last month. He should be sharper for that first start of 2016.

2

Percy Street

The stable are in good form though Percy Street has yet to prove his three-year-old credentials after two modest efforts this season, albeit both in strong company and with the first one over this course and distance. He may need to drop some more in the handicap.

3

Cartago

His two wins came when he was competing over shorter than this, but the facts and figures suggest that he is even better over this sort of distance. He certainly made a really encouraging 2016 return, looking the most likely winner as he launched his challenge 400m out, but ultimately easily beaten in that Newbury handicap by a horse who is widely considered Group class. From the UK's most powerful stable, Cartago will be a popular choice.

4

High Grounds

Having easily won his maiden over 2000m back in January, he was elevated into G3 company, first at Sandown and then at Chester, both times encountering rivals that had Epsom Derby aspirations. However on neither occasion could he make an impact, latterly racing much too keenly. He'll be useful at this level once he has learnt to settle.

5

Soldier In Action

Ran no sort of race last time, but he had previously made a good attempt at leading all the way around Chester's tight bends, only beaten by Red Verdon who turned out to be so well handicapped that he is running in The Derby later today. He handles soft ground.

6

Bathos

Kept on really well to grab a handicap at Goodwood last time under today's in-form rider William Buick. This longer distance may bring some more improvement from this very big horse who will hopefully handle the gradients of this track.

7

Poet's Word

Moves into handicap company for the first time, having been progressive in maidens. Most recently he responded impressively to his jockey's questions to win over 2045m at Nottingham. The form of that race is working out nicely and, given that he could be very progressive, looks fairly treated by the handicapper.

8

Dark Devil

This race is often won by a lightly-raced horse with a progressive profile and Dark Devil fits that having raced just four times. His only start this season - his first in a handicap - saw him running on strongly towards the end around Chester's tight bends. Up in distance with mixed messages from his pedigree as to whether it will suit.

9

Prince Of Arran

He is unbeaten in two starts on an all-weather surface but is 0-6 on turf so that may be an issue. He made some late headway to finish 11L 6th of 15 in a strong handicap over 2005m at Newbury last time. He races off a similar handicap mark today.

10

Banish

Only made his debut in April but has done well on all-weather tracks and was a maiden winner on his third start when stepped up to 1600m. From a stable going incredibly well and his trainer thinks that this colt will progress as he moves up to this distance though he does worry that he won't thrive on soft ground. So they are hoping for drying conditions.

11

Goodwood Zodiac

He handled this switchback track well on a previous visit to Epsom winning a 1400m handicap here last year, having also ran well here earlier in maiden company. However he didn't show much on his only start this season so still needs to prove his three-year-old credentials. He moves up to this distance for the first time.

12

Medburn Dream

From a small stable but this colt has won all three starts this season including when leading from gate-to-wire here, seeming to enjoy the soft ground conditions that he should get again this time. After a more recent decisive win his handicap soared upwards making life much more difficult but perhaps this longer distance will bring more improvement.

13

Scarlet Dragon

Has twice run well at this track including on his first start this season. Most recently he might have finished closer than fourth in a 1800m handicap but he twice met with interference. He is quite exposed and may be vulnerable to some less exposed contenders from top stables.

14

Finelcity 

Was a winner over a shorter distance than this here at Epsom two starts back and, grabbing an early lead, he comfortably beat his four rivals. However they have all been well beaten since so the form looks suspect whilst he didn't make much impact on a subsequent start.

15

Gawdawpalin

Ran well in both of his first two starts of 2016 to get second place in handicaps but never managed to get into the action in a really hot event at Newbury last time. He is capable of much better when the ground is soft as it should be here though the stable are struggling for winners right now.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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