4:53pm The tote Placepot First Bet of The Day Apprentice Handicap Stakes

THE TOTE PLACEPOT FIRST BET OF THE DAY APPRENTICE HANDICAP STAKES

Class 5. Six furlongs (6f), for three yrs old and upwards Estimated Total Value: Total race value £10200. Penalty Value £4860. Owners Prize Money: Winner £3840; Second £1920; Third £960; Fourth £480; Fifth £240; Sixth £240; Seventh £240; Eighth £240. Distributed in accordance with the Stakes and Prize Money Code

No Horse Age Weight Draw

1 BOWLING RUSSIAN (IRE) (29)

B g Lope de Vega (IRE) - Minute Limit (IRE) (Pivotal)

4 10-3 (6)

Jockey: Stephen Mooney (7)

Owner: Nigel Jones & Paul Bowden Trainer: George Baker, Chiddingfold Breeder: Airlie Stud & Mrs S. Rogers Sponsor: Coolhurst Vineyards Ltd Colours: PURPLE, YELLOW seams, diabolo on sleeves, BLACK cap. Form: 10-0600 D

He has won four times at 6f on the all-weather. Beaten 8l behind Strike Red at 22-1 when 9th of 12 on his latest outing at Newcastle over 6f last month. He’s still yet to win on turf and although his mark is 8lb lower than his all-weather equivalent, others are preferred. Official BHA Rating 72

2 EPSOM FAITHFULL (GB) (20)

B f Coach House (IRE) - La Fortunata (Lucky Story (USA))

4 10-0 (3)

Jockey: Rhys Clutterbuck

Owner: Epsom Racegoers No.2 Trainer: Pat Phelan, Epsom Breeder: Mr James Patton Colours: WHITE, ROYAL BLUE Cross of Lorraine. Form: 05-3632 CD

Successful twice at 6f on good ground and on the all-weather. Beaten 1/2l by Lilkian when second of 9 at 4-1 on her latest outing at Lingfield over 6f earlier this month. That form has been boosted since and she holds every chance. Official BHA Rating 69

3 AMATHUS (IRE) (34)

B g Anjaal - Effige (IRE) (Oratorio (IRE)) Owner: Mr David Henery Trainer: Patrick Chamings, Basingstoke Breeder: Mr P. Turley Sponsor: Tote

4 9-12 (9)

Jockey: George Rooke

Colours: ROYAL BLUE, WHITE hoops, RED and WHITE striped sleeves, quartered cap. Form: 012665 D

Successful twice at 6f on good to firm ground. Finished 9l behind Theotherside when fifth of 7 at 4-1 on his latest outing at Salisbury over 6f (good to soft) last month. He’s failed to fire of late but is only 1lb above his last winning mark. Respected. Official BHA Rating 67

4 DESERT LAND (IRE) (43)

B g Kodiac - La Chicana (IRE) (Invincible Spirit (IRE))

5 9-12 (1)

Jockey: Christian Howarth (7)

Owner: Epsom Equine Spa Partnership Trainer: Jim Boyle, Epsom Breeder: Tally-Ho Stud Colours: DARK GREEN, RED chevron. Form: 010046 D

He has won three times at 6f on good to firm ground and on the all-weather. Finished 4l behind Otago when sixth of 8 at 12-1 on his latest outing at Epsom over 7f (good) last month. He sits on his last winning mark and is capable of a decent showing in this company. Official BHA Rating 67

5 COMPANY MINX (IRE) (19)

Gr f Fast Company (IRE) - Ice Haven (IRE) (Verglas (IRE))

4 9-10 (8)

Jockey: Liam Browne (5)

Owner: Mrs Claire Goddard Trainer: J. R. Jenkins, Royston Breeder: Mrs O. A. Shaw Sponsor: Tote Colours: ORANGE and LIGHT BLUE diamonds, WHITE sleeves, LIGHT BLUE armlets. Form: 010605 D

Successful twice at 6f on good to firm and good to soft ground. Finished 6l behind Anjella when fifth of 7 at 11-1 on her latest outing at Windsor over 6f (good to soft) earlier this month. She’s become a rather inconsistent filly, but is dangerous to dismiss. Official BHA Rating 65

6 BEDFORD BLAZE (IRE) (168)

B g Dandy Man (IRE) - Hawaajib (FR) (Elusive City (USA))

3 9-7 (2)

Jockey: Harry Burns

Owner: Superlative Racing Trainer: Joseph Parr, Newmarket Breeder: Lismacue Stud Colours: DARK GREEN, MAUVE stars, WHITE sleeves, MAUVE cap. Form: 00-41 D

Won on his latest outing when 2-1fav at Wolverhampton over 6f in March, beating Portelet Bay by 3/4l, his first success from four starts. He showed a good turn of foot on that occasion and it would be no surprise if further progression was on the horizon. Big player. Official BHA Rating 65

7 GRANARY QUEEN (IRE) (16)

Ch f Dragon Pulse (IRE) - Multi Grain (Sir Percy)

3 9-5 (7)

Jockey: Georgia Dobie

Owner: Mrs S Gray, Ian Gray & Mr J Whitworth Trainer: Eve Johnson Houghton, Blewbury Breeder: Ringfort Stud Ltd Sponsor: ABM Catering Limited Colours: EMERALD GREEN, WHITE cross belts, MAROON sleeves and cap. Form: 203342

8 RED ALERT (GB) (21)

B g Sleeping Indian - Red Sovereign (Danzig Connection (USA))

7 9-5 (11)

Jockey: Marco Ghiani

Owner: Kings Head Duffield Racing Partnership Trainer: Tony Carroll, Cropthorne Breeder: Miss Jacqueline Goodearl

Colours: BLACK and WHITE (quartered), BLACK sleeves, WHITE armlets, LIGHT BLUE cap, BLACK star. Form: 502664 D Winner of six races at 6f on firm and good to firm ground and on the all-weather. Finished 1 1/4l behind Spreadsheet when fourth of 8 at 7-2 on his latest run at Brighton over 6f (good) earlier this month. He remains on a workable mark and could sneak some minor money. Official BHA Rating 60

9 RAINBOW MIRAGE (GB) (86)

Ch f Garswood - Oasis Mirage (Oasis Dream)

4 9-3 (4)

Jockey: Laura Pearson

Owner: Miss Sally M Howes Trainer: Mark Rimell, Witney Breeder: Cheveley Park Stud Limited Sponsor: Tote Colours: LIGHT BLUE, MAROON chevrons, striped sleeves, hooped cap. Form: 331206 D

Successful twice at 6f on good to firm ground and on the all-weather. Finished 4 1/2l behind Al Simmo when sixth of 8 at 7-2 on her latest outing at Nottingham over 6f in June. She was hampered by a rival in the early stages of that contest and could bounce back. Official BHA Rating 58

10 I’M WATCHING YOU (GB) (8) 4 9-1 (5)

Ch g Harbour Watch (IRE) - Victrix Ludorum (IRE) (Invincible Spirit (IRE)) Jockey: Stefano Cherchi Owner: Ridge House Stables Ltd Trainer: Ronald Harris, Chepstow Breeder: The Victrix Ludorum Partnership Sponsor: RON HARRIS RACING Colours: RED, WHITE cross belts, LIGHT BLUE sleeves and cap. Form: 643305 D Successful twice at 6f on the all-weather. Finished 3l behind Manumission when fifth of 15 at 12-1 on his latest outing at Chepstow over 6f (good) earlier this month. Despite hanging left, he hit the line with plenty of conviction on that occasion and warrants interest. Official BHA Rating 56 (-1)

11 GHERKIN (GB) (21)

B g Coach House (IRE) - Our Piccadilly (IRE) (Piccolo)

4 9-0 (10)

Jockey: Mollie Phillips (3)

Owner: Mrs Gill Shire Trainer: Stuart Kittow, Cullompton Breeder: Mrs Gill Shire Sponsor: A Plus Accountancy & Business Solutions Limited Colours: WHITE, RED chevron, DARK BLUE sleeves, WHITE armlets, RED cap. Form: 152306 D BF

A winner at 6f on good to firm ground. Finished 4l behind Spreadsheet when sixth of 8 at 5-2fav on his latest outing at Brighton over 6f (good) earlier this month. It would be a surprise if there wasn’t more to come from this four-year-old and he is worth bearing in mind. Official BHA Rating 55

NUMBER OF DECLARED RUNNERS 11

Blinkers worn first time by No. 4. Blinkers worn by No. 7. Sheepskin Cheek Pieces worn by No. 1, 8. Racing Post Standard Time: 1 min 9.70 secs Record Time: 1 min 9.10 secs BETTING FORECAST 5-1 Epsom Faithfull (GB), 11-2 Bedford Blaze (IRE), 15-2 Granary Queen (IRE), 9-1 Red Alert (GB), 11-1 Rainbow Mirage (GB), 12-1 Bowling Russian (IRE), Gherkin (GB), 14-1 Amathus (IRE), Desert Land (IRE), I’m Watching You (GB), 22-1 Company Minx (IRE)

Race Result

1st: ................................ 2nd: ................................ 3rd: ................................ 4th: ................................

Distances: 1-2 ........... 2-3 ........... 3-4 ........... Time: Min . Secs

2020:MEETING ABANDONED

A tricky 6f sprint kicks off proceedings here where Desert Land gets the nod in first-time blinkers. He’s back down to his last winning mark and a return to this trip could see him back to his best. A strong gallop is key to this one’s chances and hopefully Epsom Faithful and Granary Queen will provide that. Follow me on twitter @hookthevalue. DESERT LAND DESERT LAND