8.20pm Epsom Tips & Betting Preview 14/07/2016

This 7f handicap looks competitive at first glance but our betting tips identify a confident selection. Read our full race preview to get the lowdown.

IN SUMMARY: Most of the runners come here in good form and this is a race that could throw up a few future winners. FINGAL’S CAVE only prevailed by a neck in the end when scoring over C&D a fortnight ago but the winning margin doesn’t tell the full story and the style in which he came from off the pace to take command of that race at the furlong pole suggests he can shrug off a 3lb rise in the weights. Fast Dancer finished well for third in that race and, in theory, is very closely matched with Fingal’s Cave on the revised terms, but he often doesn’t get going until it’s too late and a bigger threat to the selection could come from Black Bess, who needs to prove she’s fully effective on decent ground but looked in excellent nick when winning twice on soft going last month.

 1 Outback Ruler – Ran well over C&D as a 2yo and also posted a very good effort when third at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) last month; however, subsequent 1lb nudge up the weights puts him back on his career-high mark and he was slightly disappointing when last in action; needs first-time cheekpieces to unveil hidden reserves.

2 Fingal’s Cave – Suited by the return to 7f and came from off the pace to score over C&D (good to soft) a fortnight ago; needs to produce another career-best performance to follow-up off today’s 3lb higher mark but has a progressive profile and is expected to give it a very good shot.

3 Fast Dancer – Scores good marks for consistency and finished strongly to claim third behind Fingal’s Cave over C&D (good to soft) a fortnight ago; 3lb better off with that rival but just seems to lack a gear of gear and is the type that always seems to find the winning line coming too soon.

4 Penwortham – Built upon encouraging seasonal debut when scoring at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) last month and also ran very well when close second at Chester (7f, good) on latest outing; can give another good account here but it’s worth noting he had the plum draw last time and is another 4lb higher now.

5 Black Bess – Won twice on soft ground last month, at Lingfield (7f) and Windsor (6f); evidently in good heart and has plenty of potential to make further progress but the burning question is whether she can continue her improvement on a much sounder surface today.

6 Gold Hunter – Went close over C&D (good to soft) in September and all three of his runs this year have been very respectable; probably won’t be far away but has modest 1-20 strike-rate and it’s almost certain his best days are behind him; others preferred.

7 Another Boy – Swapped visor for refitted cheekpieces and gained narrow success in Class 5 event at Sandown (7f, good) last month; will need to better that performance to overcome 4lb higher mark in today’s company and faded out of contention on ground that ought to have suited when back at Sandown last time.

8 Rosy Morning – Runner-up on three of her last four starts, most recently at Hamilton (8.3f, good to soft) on Saturday; runs off the same mark again here and has the speed to cope with today’s drop back in trip but is yet to add to her 2yo maiden success and may find at least a couple of these too strong.

myracing Forecast Prices: 3/1 Fingal’s Cave, 7/2 Penwortham, 5/1 Fast Dancer, 6/1 Black Bess, 8/1 Rosy Morning, 10/1 Outback Ruler, Gold Hunter, Another Boy