2.00pm Epsom Tips & Betting Preview 03/06/2017

With lots of promising horses on show, the first race of the day at Epsom on Saturday promises to be a cracker, our tips and betting preview can be found below for the Investec Private Banking Handicap.

After showing form in Listed company, TARTINI has potential on handicap debut and is a hugely interesting entry for John Gosden. After winning in promising style at Nottingham on debut in October, he returned in April for the Derby Trial over C&D, finishing forth after a far from easy passage. He would once again build on that effort in the Lingfield Derby Trial, finishing third after being too keen early on to sustain his finishing effort under Frankie Dettori and he makes his handicap debut today off a mark of 95. That mark could potentially be lenient as he remains with potential and the softer ground is unlikely to be a problem for the three year old by Giant’s Causeway.

David Elsworth will be sending Desert Skyline to the race who returns to handicaps after a brilliant run in Listed company on his latest start. Winner of a handicap on his penultimate start at Newmarket in very comfortable fashion before trying his hand at Listed level last time out at the same venue upped to this distance, finishing second by a nose in a career best performance. He knuckled down well for the battle against a game winner and his attitude will stand him in good stead for this, though he is now 14lb higher than when competing in his last handicap race. He may well be up to that though and a big effort is expected once again as he drops back into handicaps, with the softer ground no problem.

Andrew Balding has sent seven of his last forty horses to victory and he’ll be hoping that Drochaid can add another win to that fine record after a success last time out. Second at Chelmsford on his penultimate start, he knuckled down to hold on, all out at the same venue when upped to 1m 2f twenty-four days ago. He’s been raised 7lb as a result which could be seen as harsh, but if he settles better this time around he should have more left at the finish to fend off the challengers under Oisin Murphy. He’s likely to be on the premises but if not settling again back on turf, he’s going to be very vulnerable late on to a closer.

Charlie Fellowes on the other hand has struggled for winners in the past two weeks and needs Hajaj to relight his form, with this three year old looking to have a good chance despite a 4lb rise. Running well in handicaps without managing to get his nose in front, he was sent off 33/1 for an Ascot handicap on his latest start, driven to the front a furlong from home where he held on gamely to deny three fast finishing horses. He’s been given a 4lb rise as a result but the step up in trip could negate the penalty as he’s expected to improve for it with Martin Dwyer taking over the ride. He is a place contender who needs to be considered.

A four time career winner, Simon Dow sends Emenem to the race for Robert Moss and Christopher Brennan and their three year old by Sir Percy has a good chance if taking another step forward. He was last seen at this course over the extended mile in April, ridden out after forging clear late in the day to win going away and he should be happier back up in trip under John Egan. He does have to negate a six pound hike in the weights which makes things tougher, but he wouldn’t be amiss in the placings at a track where he runs well at on past performances.