The Neighsayers - Epsom Review

The Chester Review we did went down really well and the results have been okay too, particularly over the past week. Southern Voyage won at Donny on Friday Night and then less than 24 hours later Blue Storm won the 3YO Dash, who we'll talk about shortly. Epsom hosted the 3rd and 4th Classic's of the UK flat season and we'll be reviewing every race over the 2 day meeting and possibly any pointers toward the 5th and final classic early in September and plenty before then too.

Friday

14:00 - Woodcote Stakes

Typical 2 year old carnage. NEW CHARTER's race was over at the start, sandwiched between two and even then she never handled the track. She's better than this. TEEJ A was the best positioned and got first run. MEGALITHIC handled the dip the best of those in behind and ran on well. I'd fancy him to overturn the form with the winner if they met again. ATHERSTONE WARRIOR ran okay here given she was being pushed along early for position and travelled wide early. Did well to stay where he did, fared best of those held up and could pick up a nursery if getting it easy in front.

14:35 - Trustatrader Handicap

One really caught my eye here, FANTASTIC FOX was stone last turning for home, picked up well when asked and even had to switch at the 2 pole, having originally gone for the inside route. He was the only from rear and can be upgraded for me. He'll probably get dropped 2 for this in the morning too, he's ran a fair hunt cup trial here. CANOODLED also ran on okay having not been put in the race as much as the former, this horse would benefit from a sharp drop in grade. Looks primed for races at Newmarket, Friday 21st June, currently the 7:10pm - The Cambridge Handicap Stakes, also a race the week after which could be more suitable depending on the handicapper tomorrow, Thursday 27th June, 5:05pm, 66-85, which be my ideal target. KOY KOY hated the track, he's better than this.

15:10 - Coronation Cup

LUXEMBOURG got it easy here. FEED THE FLAME never had a chance from the position. Not much else to comment.

15:45 - Nifty 50 Handicap

2 obvious eye-catchers in here so will mention them quickly, Liberty Lane and Derry Lad both finish closer with more luck in running. One that I've seen slightly less air time is I STILL HAVE FAITH, now this was on the rail coming round the turn for home compared to Derry Lad, so he couldn't switch out and had to sit and suffer. He's handicapped so he can find much easier races than this and on this evidence, you'd think he'd be going close.

16:30 - Betfred Oaks

Ezeliya very good here and the best two horses finished 1st and 2nd, but I've a feeling the 2nd could overturn the form on a more conventional track, she hated the track, hung into the rail in the final furlong and almost slipped too, DANCE SEQUENCE lost nothing in defeat.

17:05 - Surrey Stakes

EVADE much the best of these and I'd back her to confirm this form and win easier next time. She was rank keen here on her first start of 2024 and her first start for Archie Watson. Didn't handle the track the best neither. Not much else to comment, front 2 miles clear.

17:40 - Molson Coors Handicap

In a race that was messy, no real hard luck stories and the best 3 horses have filled the places. 7 furlongs looked fine for THE XO, his first time attempting the trip, has ran well at Ascot previously so handicaps there for him await. If he handled the track he'd have given himself a much better chance and didn't come round tattenham corner 5 or 6 wide too, that would help... RHOSCOLYN and MISSION TO MOON both suffered interference in the run, with RHOSCOLYN suffering the more severe of that, so entirely justified he won going away, much the best of these.

Saturday

1:35 - Lester Piggott Handicap

PERSICA won this well. Had it free in front but to the eye didn’t look like they crawled. Went again when horses came to him and was good value for his win. PORTSMOUTH the only one who got close, ended up keen and far enough back really. Tried to go up the winner’s inside which didn’t really help her, she can win off this sort of mark though, may get given a lb but still workable. COOL LEGEND would be of interest in a 61-80 or something of the sort.

2:00 - Princess Elizabeth Stakes

Haven’t got much to comment on this race other than what you’ve seen online already, CHIC COLOMBINE & ROYAL DRESS unlucky.

2:35 - Diomed Stakes

ROYAL SCOTSMAN was scintillating here, very good performance. Would actually like him to skip Royal Ascot and head to the Sussex, would suit him better in my opinion. ROYAL DUBAI interesting here, he’s beat the rest of the field without being asked to do a lot, given he was last entering the finish, he’d be of interest moving forward.

3:10 - 3YO Dash

Will touch on this briefly so we can indulge in some self fellatio. BLUE STORM the winner here highlighted on the back of his Chester run. CURIOUS ROVER returned to form in a great way here and ran a blinder. MC LOVEN also ran a belter from a single figure draw and ran much better than finishing position would suggest for me. He can win something like a 59-78, after his mark is reassessed tomorrow. On a more serious note, this race is too much for these young horses at this stage of their career. We lost one and several bled and badly, I hope we don’t see this race again.

15:45 - Epsom Dash

I’ll start by saying fair play to connections of LAW OF AVERAGE, he’s ran a belter here at a track that really suits him, I hope there’s a suitable race for him at one of the lesser meetings. Unfortunately, he probably gets put up for coming 10th here. LORD RIDDERFORD is clearly en route to Goodwood and should be back on his last winning mark after this. DREAM COMPOSER won this very well and should go in again, he’s come from miles back, yes off a furious pace but not many did.

16:30 - Betfred Derby

CITY OF TROY was brilliant here, how good is the camera angle when they turn in and he goes through horses like they’re stood still. AMBIENTE FRIENDLY proved that Lingfield was no fluke but Rab might want this one back, as might Callum Sheppard… I’m not sure you can be in a Derby and be sat on the bridle with the 2 pole pretty much up on you. DIERA MILE ran a nice race here and he’s certain to be Leger bound while taking in Gordon Stakes/Bahrain Trophy/Great Voltiguer. LOS ANGELES ran well to stay where he did after setting the pace for COT. He’d be their Irish Derby horse I’d imagine. Not much else here.

17:15 - Northern Dancer Handicap

Think this race will be good form in and around this level. ASGARD’S CAPTAIN travelled lovely here and was well worth his place, rated 17lb inferior to the winner, he’s had an excellent winter and that looks to continue this summer. FLASH BARDOT shuffled back and lost position when it mattered most. DREAM HARDER made another lasting impression too, made a big move from rear and just hung into other horses in the final furlong. Can win down in grade as mentioned previously.

17:50 - JRA Trophy Handicap

Paid to be prominent here, EXECUTIVE DECISION and given how wide he travelled, he’d be the one to take for the race. Would struggle in a Wokingham. Was a winner at Goodwood last year and that’s where I’d take him next looking toward the festivals. He would make a nice racing league sprinter too but that’s putting all your eggs in one basket. Too say BADRI won this last year, he struggled big time here, maybe he didn’t face the first time cheekpieces? Anyway, he definitely has other days in him and this can be ignored.