Timeform Daily: Friday June 5, Epsom, 3:25

Race of the Day Preview / Timeform / 04 June 2009 / Leave a Comment

On day one at the Epsom, Timeform run the rule over the Investec Challenge (Heritage Handicap)

Lake Poet has an excellent record at this track and ran a cracker behind a much-improved rival here in April. He is only 1 lb higher this time and looks sure to be on the premises once more.

Charm School's only blip last season came when meeting trouble at Lingfield and he ran better than the bare result in the Lincoln. He finally gets the chance to tackle a mile-and-a-quarter here and it's likely that the trip will bring about more improvement.

Cobo Bay is dropping down the weights now, but has shown very little in two hot handicaps this season.

Mystery Star is a hold-up performer who gained a deserved victory when beating King Olav at Goodwood last month. He was not disgraced at Redcar last time but more is needed in this company.

Ramonda Chase didn't get the smoothest passage here on his penultimate start and, whilst he was held last time, the return to this track should suit (he was a fine second to Conduit here last year).

Sweet Lightning put in a very good effort when a close second to Greylami at Kempton on his reappearance. He was luckless over course and distance last time but will need a strong pace to be seen to best effect.

Seeking The Buck was a useful performer up for Mikael Magnusson in 2007 and was impressive on his first run for his new stable at Newmarket last month. He has a 7 lb higher mark to overcome but may do better still

Foolin Myself's maiden win was a good effort and he put in a really encouraging effort on his return from a long absence when fourth at Newbury in April. He couldn't build on it next time, but is still open to improvement.

Dream Desert is already useful and is clearly thought capable of better still judged on the strength behind him in the betting on his first two starts this year. He handles the track and has place possibilities.

William Blake won his first three starts and put in the odd solid effort in 2008 afterwards. His fitness is unlikely to be an issue and he is not on a bad mark, so it's not impossible that he will bounce back on his return.

Manshoor won his first two Flat starts for his current stable and shouldn't be judged too harshly on his latest fourth. This looks a much stiffer assignment, though, and others make more appeal.