17:47 That’s it from a glorious afternoon here at Epsom Downs, brilliant sunshine, a family atmosphere, some good racing including a very informative Derby Trial.
The icing on the cake must be the new grandstand, a huge improvement on the old 1020’s stand which felt like a depressing black hole inside. The new stand is spacious and airy with a 31 lever tiered viewing area plus seating – a capacity for 11,000.
Tomorrow we are back with the jumps as we visit the south coast and Fontwell, meanwhile from a lovely Epsom a very good afternoon.
17:42 Our final race, another just shy of 1m 1f, wasn’t quite as exciting as the previous race, although it did follow the same pattern of a beaten front runner, Young Dottie being the “failure” this time.
As has been the pattern all afternoon the race developed in the final two furlongs, although this time the result was never in doubt as River Captain flew home to record a convincing 3½ victory under Ryan Moore, riding for Sylvester Kirk.
Wilbury Star was with the winner as he began his challenge but he had nothing on him in the final stages, he did hold off the late finishing Midnight In May and Pride Of Kings.
Winning trainer Sylvester Kirk is a bit concerned about the winners handicap mark after such a convincing win. Regarding future prospects he has an open mind as he feels the horse can win at both shorter and longer distances.
17:06 Our penultimate race, just shy of 1m 1f, and our most competitive finish of the afternoon.
There was another failed front running attempt, this time from Deyas Dream who set a good pace and had a good lead on her rivals spinning Tattenham Corner.
Even two out this looked like a front running performance which would be successful. However an attack came on both flanks as both Bothy and Lady Francsesa were launched with late challenges by Seb Sanders and Martin Dwyer respectively. These soon left the long time leader looking leaden hoofed and the pair battled it out to the line with Bothy just prevailing by the shortest of short heads.
African Cheetah also made good late progress to come home third.
16:31 Two races over 1¼ miles and they both go to the John Gosden / Jimmy Fortune combo, this time with Duncan providing the late run to take the 20 runner City and Suburban Heritage Handicap.
After a couple of early changes to the lead the favourite Hawaass eventually set the pace accompanied by Drill Sergeant. However as has been routine this afternoon the whole complexion of the race changed two out.
Course specialist Lake Poet under Seb Sanders hit the front and soon established a good lead but Fortune on Duncan was patient before running on a furlong out, soon establishing a lead with neither Lake Pot or the running on Dona Alba, the only filly in the field, unable to catch the leader.
Ladies Best ran on for fourth, whilst Unbreak My Heart who had no luck in running was doing his best when coming home a fast finishing fifth.
15:58 A change to the going - it is now Good all over
15:53 The Derby Trial saw only seven go to post but it turned out to be an informative race over a distance 2f short of the 1m 4f.
It was good news for favourite backers as Jimmy Fortune got the perfect tune out of John Gosden’s Debussy.
Saint Arch under Frankie Dettori set off in front, taking the field along at a good pace. Mustaqer kept the leader company as they followed two-by-two. Midday and Debussy filled second rank, Popmurphy and Ouster third rank with Canwinn the whipper in.
That was the ranking until they entered the home straight at which point Debussy took up the running chased by Midday, trained by Henry Cecil and these two were soon clear.
Popmurphy, having only his second outing made impressive late progress to catch the front two and these three finished well clear of the remainder.
Winning trainer Jonh Gosden was obviously pleased with his horses performance, adding “it was nice to get a run on the course.”
Dempsey, who ws recently supplemented for The Derby is now 20/1 for teh big race in June.
15:25 From a race over the minimum distance to a 1m 4f handicap over the Derby course and distance.
Bazergan was the early pacesetter and it was a reasonably good pace with the field already strung out as they broached the top of the hill.
Turning for home and the favourite Dream Desert began to make eye-catching progress, however his every move was tracked by Hatton Flight, who had also benen very well backed and two out William Buick bough Hattin Flight through to the front and he was soon clear.
Mezzanisi, down the bottom of the weights also came with a late run but was unable to reel in the winner.
Rajen in third and Coin Of the Realm, who filled third and fourth places respectively also ran on well.
14:43 Our opening contest was over the fasters five furlongs in the world and as is usually the case the field flew down the hill and the winner was not clear until the line.
Wotashirtfull, who looked really worked up in the parade ring set the pace, accompanied by Merlin’s Dancer.
However it was the running on late finishers who grabbed the spoils and best of all was Fathom Five, who did not have an ideal draw yet was produced with a perfectly times run to win by three parts of a length.
The line came just in time to giveWotashirtfull the runners up-spot, just denying the well backed Indian Trail with the favourite, Rebel Duke, running on for fourth.
13:32 A wonderful glorious sunny afternoon, the Gurkha band is playing downstairs - all very jolly.
12:35 Good afternoon from Epsom Downs for its first meeting after the rebuilding of the new grandstand. The Dutchess of Cornwall has just arrived to perform the official opening.
The going this afternoon is:-
5 Furlong Course - Good
Round Course - Good, Good to Soft in Places
Our each-way selections for the afternoon are as follows:-
02:30 |
10 |
Rebel Duke |
03:05 |
5 |
Tilt |
03:40 |
6 |
Popmurphy |
04:15 |
9 |
Unbreak My Heart |
04:50 |
1 |
African Cheetah |
05:25 |
2 |
River Captain |
Return to race archive: |
Non-Runners
The time in brackets is the time the horse was officially declared a non-runner.
SC - Self Certificate
VC - Vet's Certificate
2:30
3 Cake (lame - SC 09:40)
6 Kay Two (going 11:10
3:05
2 Merchant Of Dubai (not sound - VC 14:00 21/04)
6 Humble Opinion (bad scope - SC 08:46)
5:25
7 Rose Cheval (Bruised foot VC 12:07)
13 Roar Of Applause (not eaten up - SC 09:08)
Results
2:30 Handicap 5f
1st 2 Fathom Five 7/1
2nd 13 Wotashirtfull 10/1
3rd 15 Induan Trail 15/2
13 Ran Nr's 3 & 6
Distances 3/4 & short head
Fav 10 Rebel Duke 13/2
Tote
Win £6.80
Places £2.30 £2.30 £2.70
Exacta £74.60
CSF £74.29
Exacta £540.26
Time 55.64"
3:05 Handicap 1m 4f
1st 13 Hatton Flight 9/1
2nd 20 Mezzanisi 6/1
3rd 10 Rajeh 25/1
4th 19 Coin Of The Realm 25/1
18 Ran Nr's 2 & 6
Distances 1 1/4 & 1 1/4
Fav 17 Dream Desert 4/1 (6th)
Tote
Win £7.60
Places £2.20 £2.40 £4.80 £6.50
Exacta £73.70
CSF £54.93
Tricast £1,342.65
Time 2' 38.56"
3:40 Trial Stakes 1m 2f
1st 3 Debussy 11/4 fav
2nd 7 Midday 100/30
7 Ran
Distances 1 1/4
Fav winner
Tote
Win £3.10
Places £1.80 £2.40
Exacta £13.10
CSF £11.76
Time 2' 08.92"
4:15 Heritage Handicap 1m 2f
1st 2 Duncan 8/1
2nd 6 Lake Poet 8/1
3rd 14 Dona Alba 14/1
4th 5 Ladies Best 12/1
20 Ran
Distances 2 1/2 & 1/2
Fav 7 Hawaass 6/1
Tote
Win £9.80
Places £2.50 £2.00 £4.80 £4.20
Exacta £77.70
CSF £66.80
Time 2' 08.73"
4:50 Handicap 5f
1st 2 Bothy 2/1 fav
2nd 12 Lady Francesca 3/1
3rd 1 African Cheetah 13/2
15 Ran
Distances short head & 4
Fav winner
Tote
Win £2.90
Places £1.60 £1.60 £2.20
Exacta £9.40
CSF £7.40
Time 1' 45.56"
5:25 Handicap 1m 4f
1st 2 River Captain 10/1
2nd 4 Wilbury Star 10/1
3rd 1 Midnight In May 8/1
4th 5 Pride Of Kings 6/1 fav
18 Ran Nr's 7 & 13
Distances 3 1/2 & 1 1/4
Fav fourth
Tote
Win £10.80
Places £2.60 £2.90 £3.10 £1.90
Exacta £74.30
CSF £103.10
Tricast £884.36
Time 1' 46.2"
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