Kinswoman to take the honours in Dash for glory
THERE aren’t many races that are over more quickly than the Epsom Dash (3.15pm), a five-furlong handicap run largely downhill that takes about 55 seconds to run.
It goes without saying that you need blazing speed for this test and KINSWOMAN certainly has that sort of raw pace.
William Haggas’ filly had a busy first season, winning three times and finishing second on three other occasions from nine starts.
There was a lot to like about her first race for seven months when she was beaten a neck on her seasonal debut at Yarmouth.
She handled the soft ground there, and that comeback will surely have sharpened her up ready for this assignment.
No filly has captured this cavalry charge in the last 20 years, but this consistent four-year-old has solid claims to end the jinx and can be supported in the Win and Place markets with World Pool.
Robert Cowell has a brilliant record with his sprinters, but this prestigious race has always eluded him.
He has had 24 runners in the contest, but in LEXINGTON BLITZ he feels he might have finally found the one to fill the void.
He was only worn down close home on his seasonal debut at Musselburgh, and then at Goodwood last month he produced a career-best performance, winning with a bit in hand.
Inevitably, the son of Invincible Spirit has taken a rise in the weights, but he has valuable course experience, having only been caught on the post by STORMY IMPACT in the three-year-old version of this race 12 months ago.
Stormy Impact has run creditably in several top sprint handicaps since she won here last year, and the filly’s recent run at York will have improved her fitness no end.
She can play a role in the finish and is worth including in a World Pool Quinella with Kinswoman and Lexington Blitz.
Never So Brave is a warm order for the opening Group Three Tattenham Corner Stakes (1.30pm) and Andrew Balding’s charge certainly has outstanding credentials as a Group One winner.
He brings the best form and is the one to beat but there would be a slight concern if too much rain gets into the ground.
While he has won on a soft surface, his form indicates that a sound surface is far more preferable and with that in mind, it could be worth taking him on with WITNESS STAND.
The Richard Newland and Jamie Insole-trained five-year-old was a surprise winner of the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood last year but there was no fluke about the result.
Runner-up Lake Forest was unable to lay a glove on him in the closing stages, and he was well on top at the winning line.
Goodwood’s undulations seem to suit him and that offers hope that he will handle Epsom’s demanding contours on his first visit to this course, while he should also handle any softening of conditions.
Play him in the Win and Place World Pool markets by betting through the Tote on-course and online.
POINTERS SATURDAY
Witness Stand (Win and Place) 1.30pm Epsom
Kinswoman (Win and Place) 3.15pm Epsom
Kinswoman, Lexington Blitz, Stormy Impact (Quinella) 3.15pm Epsom