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Preview
07 June 2008
3.15 Epsom Totesport Dash 5F
Good ground Class 2 Heritage handicap
Horses to consider
Tourendos - it would be wrong not to
have a Dandy Nichols Sprint handicap among the shortlist and York
Sprint scorer Tourendos can go well once again under the same
handicap mark with a 4lb penalty to carry for that bunch finish
victory. This handicap race will be won based on the draw and with
plenty of pace likely with a number of pace horses in the race this
fast five furlong track could well be set up for a horse to come
from of the pace. The trainer son has choose this horse to ride and
a horse that has had former good runs at group level in his younger
days is well handicapped in this race I feel and has to be respected
providing it stays dry as he has caught the eye here before. Stable
mate will assure there is plenty of pace.
Bond City - Very dangerously
handicap for this race at a track he has gone well in the past at
for Brian Smart and while he has regressed for his current trainer
he caught the eye at Nottingham staying on well to finish 1L behind
useful handicapper Chief Editor. A stronger pace should suit him and
Alan Munro is a eye catching booking on this horse that has plenty
of dash and shouldn't be readily discounted as he will improve on
that run at Nottingham in a handicap that is made up of mainly
exposed handicap sprinters. Should have plenty of pace to aim at
With Merlin's Dancer against the stand side rail and with it being
decent racing ground he could well go in at a big price.
Strike Up the Band - Has never full
fulfilled his potential after being set some tough asks from a young
age and could now be handicapped to go well for Dandy Nichols in a
race he won with Fire up the Band and I have no problems with the
jockey booking in this race as he has improved as a jockey this
season. A horse blessed with plenty pace he will help to cut the
fractions out with his stable mate and may just have enough to last
home in this sprint handicap. The last run he gradually faded out of
contention but that was a show of that he is starting to fight on in
his racing and the fact he was only beaten one length on a quick
five furlong showed that he is ready to strike in my view and should
have a big chance.
Merlin's Dancer - Another that has
showed plenty of speed in his races especially when tackling races
such as this for Dandy Nichols who he is no longer with, best maybe
round a bend on the Polly at Lingfield he has showed up well for a
long way in this race in the past and with a well handicapped look
he could well go close today for his new handler. Likely to set it
up under the favoured stand rail for maybe Bond City he could hold
on for a place and should be regarded maybe more as a place bet then
a win bet at a big price.
Ocean Blaze - One of three fillies
in the race and she most probably holds the best chance of the three
from near the bottom of the weights where maybe is the place to be
in such a lightening quick race as this. Handles good ground well
enough to not be discounted and has recorded form on undulating
tracks in the past. She needs to improve from her runs at a lower
level but she is certainly going the right way and has form with
this jockey and comes to herself around this time of the year.
Bigalos Bandit - Hasn't shown much
lately but if you go far enough back there are parts of his form
that has him well weighted in this handicap today and with Dandy
Nichols you can never be quite sure what the target is. Beaten 10L
by Hogmeingh in this race last season and maybe found things
happening a little quick having shown his best at Tracks such as
Sandown in which the uphill climb brought out the best in him. The
strong pace should suit him and the favoured stand side is in his
favour. Booked with Simon Whitworth who has ridden well for the
trainer before and could have his big day if this horse was to find
his best foot forward.
Verdict – Dandy
Nichols holds the key to this sprint handicap with a few of his
horses showing very good form and also looking well handicapped. The
trainer strikes me, as a handicapping genius and it is no surprise
to see so many of horses bounce back to form and land these types of
races. Strike up the band shaped with much promise last time and the
jockey booked suggests it is one of the leading fancies from the
yard. Away from the Nichols runner and Bond City looks ready to run
a big race and could well go close in this handicap with the pace
set up for him by Merlin's Dancer and is potential the 2nd best bet
in this race I feel.
Selection –
2 pts Win Strike up the
Band @ 20-1 (26.0 BF)
Well Chief
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