Conditions at Epsom caught out virtually everyone, but the mud-loving CENTURY DREAM (Epsom, 3.10) should relish the chance to repeat last year’s victory in the Cazoo Diomed Stakes.
Three and four times the expected rainfall hit the Downs, placing the accent more on stamina and attitude rather than speed.
Well beaten in the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on comeback, Century Dream wasn’t alone in disappointing that day behind Palace Pier and it’s probably worth recalling that he had won just one of his five starts when rested for in excess of five months. In contrast, the seven-year-old boasts a record of five wins from 12 starts when returning to the track between 17 and 31 days and he has also enjoyed success when tackling smaller fields (6-10 in fields up to 10 runners).
Although the presence of Marie’s Diamond may not allow rider James Doyle to enjoy a totally free reign at the head of affairs, the prospect of attritional ground will not be welcomed by many of the selection’s rivals. I am hoping Doyle can stay wide from box eight and make his way to the stands’ side, which can be a prime position if the ground eases the way it did yesterday.
SOTO SIZZLER (Epsom, nap, 5.15) boasts track form figures of 112 and has already won for today’s rider, Oisin Murphy, so should give supporters a decent run for their money in the 12f handicap later. He found Group One Power just too strong when they met over course and distance in April then patently failed to get home at Newmarket when racing too enthusiastically.
A good pace should help this nap at his favourite venue.
(Sam Turner)