Epsom Dash Handicap Betting Tips
Unusually, the Dash is taking place some two hours after the latest Derby hero is crowned at Epsom. No matter, as this fascinating race will be as exciting as always.
This race offers us the fastest five furlongs in the world. They will be hurtling down the track and finishing off in well under a minute, just as our selection Tees Spirit did twelve months ago.
Many ponder the draw in this race however the truth is that it’s pretty fair across the track. The maximum field of 20 will line up, but pace and balance are key which helps us just a little to whittle the field down.
Having done that, these are the six we prefer against the field:
Main Contenders
Clarendon House
Clarendon House is a most fascinating contender for this race. Owned by Middleham Park, the full horse is trained by Robert Cowell who has done so well over the years with this type of animal.
The son of Mehmas has handled Beverley and Bath among other places, has fine balance and a ton of speed. He should be fine on this unique course.
In terms of his handicap rating, it’s all good. Clarendon House is just a five-year-old, no age for a sprinter, and he is 5-15 in that time. Despite that, he has been dropped in the handicapped significantly. He reached a mark of 105 a full 13 months ago and ran to at least 107 two outings ago. He gets in here off 100 and that cannot be ignored.
Lihou
Drawn on the other side to Clarendon House is Lihou, an ever-popular seven-year-old. After 69 outings, Lihou remains in good form. On the plus side; he is an Epsom winner having scored in April, but on the negative side it was achieved in soft ground.
It’s hard to say whether he has the out-and-out speed for this race on better ground, but he cannot be dismissed too lightly for the David Evans team. Hollie Doyle rides.
Live In The Moment
Alice Haynes’ runner is on a 16-race losing streak. Despite that, he remains a thoroughly consistent stayer who will not be overawed by this fast pace and large field and so he could have a fine each-way chance.
After a below average start to his season, he ran very well last time when runner-up over six furlongs but this may suit his style much more.
Look Out Louis
Julie Camacho’s runner is seven now and frankly hasn’t been in the best of form lately. That being said, there were signs of life at Lingfield on the all-weather and his best career run came as recently as last autumn, so it’s even possible that there is some improvement to come from him.
He proved when winning at Haydock that he has plenty of speed, while he is also a winner at Chester which showed his balance was not a problem.
Mountain Peak
Form figures of 8038-0 are far from inspiring. Immediately before that however Mountain Peak was winning a Heritage Handicap at Ascot, just after finishing runner-up to Tees Spirit in this very race.
That form automatically puts him on this list. It has to be said however that his form going into this year’s event isn’t as strong and he is 3lbs higher in the weights than twelve months ago.
There are one or two negatives then, but he has been there and done it in this race and that may yet count for plenty. Tom Marquand rides for Ed Walker.
Sampers Seven
Drawn up the middle is Sampers Seven and it will be interesting to see which who jockey Greg Cheyne decides to follow into the race.
The problem here is how awkward he is. He was difficult at the start last time at Thirsk for a race he was favourite in. Coming home he was going easily, like a strong favourite should, but still lost out and finished third. He’ll need to be more straightforward now.
Summary
Of course, Mountain Peak is solid enough, while Sampers Seven looks well-weighted to give it a big go if settling down.
Look Out Louis is a seven-year-old now but has a big shot at the prize, but CLARENDON HOUSE is by far the most fascinating in this race. He appears to be the best handicapped horse for us and he hails from a yard famed for doing well with sprinters.