Epsom 15:15 5f Handicap "The Dash" 2nd June 2012

CAPTAIN DUNNE
Deserved winner of this last year off same mark and easy to see a bold show for a repeat bid this time around. Was in better form last term but rattling ground will see him in better light. Tougher race this time but cannot rule out.       

CONFESSIONAL
Very close second in this last year from 8lbs lower. Improved since though and latest fifth to Bated Breath was smart (5f Firm). Officially 5lbs well in today as a result but stiff task to get better of Captain Dunne and wide draw.       

DESERT LAW
Gelded over Winter and sent off favourite for 6f h'cap at Doncaster on debut where didn't settle. Edge taken off him now, very speedily bred and entries at Royal Ascot suggest better likely today. Draw has helped and definite chances.       

VOCATIONAL
Didn't finish too far behind the winner at York recently in big field sprint (5f G/F) but price today probably reflects chances accurately in this. Draw not ideal and likely to find others too good.       

BEAR BEHIND
Always tough for a 3yo to win this but has to be respected on his efforts so far this term. He's very quick from the gates and he's bagged the plum draw today. Will have more gunning for him than last twice but remains on upgrade.       

YORK GLORY
Very smart last term but ran so bad on seasonal debut it was untrue. Blinkers back on today need to spark revive but very wide draw has not helped matters. Spencer one from one on him and deserves another chance, but tricky today.       

DICKIE’S LAD
Interesting sort who should be happier back on this kind of ground. Lightly raced and booking of Queally a plus. Would be shorter in the betting but for the wide draw he's got and lots of speed merchants to try and overcome.       

FITZ FLYER
Another who should be more at home on the rattling ground but will need to find a tremendous turn around in form to get the better of a number of these. Has the services of Fallon, but likely to struggle in test of this nature.       

STONE OF FOLCA
Once a smart 2yo but has been on the downgrade since those days. Huge ask to land this on seasonal debut considering the tailed off form, he's against race fit rivals and he's out in stall two.       

OOR JOCK
Hasn't shown anywhere near the kind of form needed for this kind of event and tough to make any sort of case for. Handed the coffin box in stall one and others make plenty more appeal.       

TAAJUB
Another who was a smart 2yo and he's just finding his feet again once more. Had a successful trial for this over CD in April when going close in second, albeit in softer conditions. Tough to get across lots more rivals from the gate today.       

JUDGE ‘N’ JURY
In sparkling form at present and never saw another rival when leading all the way at York latest to land 5f prize. Fourth in this in 2010 from 8lbs lower, draw fine, leading chance.       

SOHRAAB
Has performed with credit both times he's raced here and managed to get fourth in this last term from widest stall of all, so chances today from 19. However, higher in weights here.       

LIVING IT LARGE
Decent record at the track and brings some quick ground form to the table. Two runs this season should have him right for this but all wins have come in two grades below and a lot on plate today.       

CATFISH
Won at Goodwood and fine second at York on seasonal debut shows she handles the speed tracks and encouraging to see same jockey booked. Lightly raced, 2lbs well in and handy draw all point towards a bold show.       

ARCTIC FEELING
In this last year from 15lbs higher and was down the field, so appeals somewhat in that sense coupled with recently getting his head back in front and Hanagan back on board. Another who will need to improve though to get better of fancy rivals.       

LONG AWAITED
Looked extremely smart when landing Doncaster event (5f Heavy) back in April for new yard. Easy to see plenty of progress from him this term. Stern test here but player if up to it.       

DIAMOND CHARLIE
A CD winner last term but is another who needs much, much more today if he's to take any part in the finish. Wide draw isn't great and rivals in far better form.       

JAMESWAY
Much better draw this year than last here and has dropped 3lbs since then too. Pipe opener here in April will gives his fitness a boost and he's another to throw into the mix of possibles.       

COURAGEOUS
Fine gelding who is dropping to an appealing mark these days and likely to pop up this season at some stage. Tricky to see this being his day though and others appeal more.       



This is one of my favourite sprint handicaps of the year. This time around it’s almost too impossible to try and work out some value that it seems pointless having a bet. However, that was never likely to happen, so here goes. The likes of Captain Dunne, Judge ‘n’ Jury and the smart looking Long Awaited are all very much respected. It’s likely to be a very quick time set with both Judge ‘n’ Jury and Bare Behind holding high draws, as both love to bolt from the gate and try and stay in front. In the hope those two burn each other out and a closer comes through to nab it, the two that marginally appeal over the others are DESERT LAW and Catfish, with slight preference for the first named at the prices. They both fit snugly between the two likely speedballs in their stall positions and can track the pace before pouncing late. Desert Law could never settle at Doncaster after coming back from the Winter gelded, but he’s clearly thought a lot of due to entries in the King’s Stand and Wokingham. Andrew Balding has a smart 22% strike rate at Epsom over the past five seasons and Jimmy Fortune has started the season in fine form. While Catfish is on the upgrade after taking a Goodwood handicap in impressive fashion last backend, considering how the race unfolded. Her comeback at York last week was equally as impressive and it’s hard to ignore her chances. There’ll likely be plenty of hard luck stories and a blanket finish here.


Desert Law 1.5pts ew @ 16/1
Catfish 1pt win @ 9/1