UK Horse Racing Tips: Epsom Downs

LIHOU lost little in defeat when beaten just under a length in third at Newmarket last Tuesday and a similar bid may suffice for David Evans' gelding. Kape Moss triumphed at Southwell on her seasonal return and she isn't taken lightly off only 3lb higher. Dig Two wasn't disgraced when finishing third over 6f on his stable debut at Kempton earlier in the month and the four-year-old should remain competitive dropping back in trip.
Prediction : 1st Lihou 2nd Kape Moss 3rd Dig Two

EPICTETUS sets a high standard having filled the runner-up spot to leading 2000 Guineas hope Auguste Rodin in the Vertem Futurity at Doncaster in October and the son of Kingman looks to have found a good opening to kick off his season. Stormbuster weakened into last on that occasion, but it's too early to write him off and this step up in trip could bring about enough improvement to mount a challenge. Last-time-out winners Intricacy and Hadrianus are likely capable of better and can't be discounted either.
Prediction : 1st Epictetus 2nd Stormbuster 3rd Intricacy

HARROVIAN hasn't quite hit the same heights since being campaigned on the all-weather, but he returns to handicaps on the turf off what appears to be a tempting mark, so the seven-year-old could return to winning ways. Educator may find some improvement for a gelding operation and has to command the utmost respect, having won on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket last April, with the returning Scampi making most appeal of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Harrovian 2nd Educator 3rd Scampi

In this competitive contest marginal preference goes to the lightly raced four-year-old, OPEN CHAMPION, who found plenty of trouble in-running when sixth at Kempton last time out. The son of Postponed shaped better than the bare result suggested and gets the tentative vote stepping up in trip. Sir Rumi takes a step into calmer waters and must be respected with William Buick on board. The handicapper has loosened his grip on Dark Pine and he completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Open Champion 2nd Sir Rumi 3rd Dark Pine

Hey Lyla has been knocking on the door on most of her six outings and demands the utmost respect on seasonal reappearance. However, she may be vulnerable to an unexposed rival, though, and the Ralph Beckett-trained JALAPA, who showed glimpses of promise when third on her sole outing at Newmarket in August, gets the vote. The stoutly-bred filly is a half-sister to the same connections' Irish Derby winner, Westover, and may prove capable of shedding her maiden tag. Kadovar could benefit from a drop back in trip after a respectable effort at Nottingham.
Prediction : 1st Jalapa 2nd Hey Lyla 3rd Kadovar

EXPRESSIONLESS hit the line with plenty of conviction when landing the spoils at Nottingham earlier this month. Despite being handed a 5lb rise, the Dylan Cunha-trained three-year-old may continue to improve and is given the vote of confidence. There are plenty of dangers, though, including Alpha Crucis, who stayed on stoutly in attritional conditions to record a first career victory at Windsor last time out, while Ludo's Landing is of interest after a gelding operation.
Prediction : 1st Expressionless 2nd Alpha Crucis 3rd Ludos Landing