3.15pm Epsom Tips & Betting Preview 28/08/2017

The quickest five furlongs in the world, the more the ground dries out, the faster this is going to be run with some rapid horses chasing a first prize of £12,450. Our runner by runner preview and expert tip are below.

IN SUMMARY: BOOM THE GROOM always runs well here, now half a stone lower than when unlucky not to be closer in the ‘Dash’ on Derby Day. He was beaten less than two lengths on that occasion so now down in class he looks a big price to get his head back in front. Love On The Rocks is impossible to predict but she could go close on a going day as could Discreet Hero who is lightly raced enough to think there is potential improvement to come. Tan is owned by the same person who owns Caspian Prince for whom the race is named and he is worth watching in the market.

1 BOOM THE GROOM – Speedball tends to run well here, placed twice in four runs and shaping well in the other pair. He was a little short of room at a crucial stage in the ‘Dash’ on Derby Day back in June but has not shown an awful lot in the way of form since. Seven pound lower than when running here in June he is well enough treated to be a huge player in this field, with fewer runners a help with less traffic trouble.

2 COMPASS SCOOBIE – In smart form of late, arriving looking for a hat-trick of wins following successes at Newmarket and Bath. Eight pounds higher than the latter of them and up in class, this is going to demand another sizeable step forward from him. They were both on good to soft ground and although he has run fine on quicker (so it isn’t a major concern) they were the two best runs of his career.

3 ALEEF – Hasn’t been seen since November but he won first time up last season so the break may not be too much of a concern for all that it isn’t ideal. Both his career wins have come over six furlongs but he didn’t look short of speed over the sharp five at either Catterick or Chelmsford. David O’Meara is only 4/32 at this track in the last five years but he has an each way chance with further progression surely on the cards this season.

4 LOVE ON THE ROCKS – Jekyll and Hyde filly, she either runs a cracker or no sort of race, there is no in-between with her. Her three career wins have all come on very quick ground so the decent weather is in her favour, drying out the surface. This is a tough enough assignment at this level on the majority of her form, but she is capable of hitting the frame if she is on a going day.

5 MAJESTIC HERO – Won over this course and distance in April from a two pound higher mark, things have been significantly tougher for him since, including when well beaten in the ‘dash.’ He has been behind both Love On The Rocks and Compass Scoobie in recent outings so although the return to this track is in his favour from a tempting mark, he has a little to find with a few rivals.

6 DISCREET HERO – Had to dig deep to get back up at Yarmouth last time on ground that was much softer than he will face here. Quicker ground is no issue for him, however quick ground downhill is different to a flat track. He is open to more improvement as he is relatively lightly raced but he is going to need to be if he is to defy this harder task presented to him.

7 MIDNIGHT MALIBU – Placed five times in eight starts this season at a lower level, she has been a victim of her own consistency. She likes to get on with things from the front so this first visit to Epsom may be ideal for her. Needs more as she is swimming in significantly deeper waters here but if she gets a soft time of things on the front end, she could be a danger to all.

8 TAN – This is just his second run in this country, last at Carlisle on his first attempt. He won over both five and a half and six furlongs in France, showing good speed at Carlisle over six furlongs before fading late on. Owner Stephen Louch is the owner of Caspian Prince for whom the race is named so this has surely been the target for a while and in a first time hood and tongue strap, he is well worth considering.