The Epsom Dash has become the regular appetiser for the main event of the weekend, the Derby, but it is firmly established as one of the most compelling races of the year in its own right given the unique test of speed and fierce level of competition.
Cast an eye back over the last 10 renewals and it is evident that a high draw is something of an advantage, with nine of the 10 winners being drawn eight or higher and four of the 10 breaking from stall 15 or higher.
With the draw yet to be made, this is something that has to drift to the back of the mind for now, but one benefit of backing ante-post is that, if we strike lucky and come up with a horse that is granted a favourable stall, we will almost certainly be sitting pretty with a price considerably better than what is likely to be on offer or, if we are not so fortunate, then we will have to trust that our selection has the ability to triumph nonetheless!
A sensible place to kick off proceedings is with last season's event, won by the Tim Easterby-trained Captain Dunne, who defied top-weight with a tremendous performance in making all against the stands rail. The seven-year-old has run twice in 2012, looking in need of the run at Musselburgh on his reappearance before hinting at a return when fifth at Newbury, still shaping as if the run was just needed, and the soft ground he encountered placed too much of an emphasis on stamina rather than speed. He is best on a quicker surface, a requirement likely to be granted on Saturday, and you can guarantee that he will be spot on for a defence of his crown.
Stablemate Confessional, runner-up 12 months ago, arguably goes into the race in the form of his life after putting up a career-best when winning at Chester, before running respectably in the face of a stiff task when fifth in the Group 2 Temple Stakes last weekend. A better showing can be expected, although he may just prove vulnerable off an 8 lb higher mark than when second last season and 4 lb higher than for that Chester win.
Dickie's Lad, trained by Kevin Ryan, was steadily progressive in handicaps last year, putting up his best effort when runner-up over six furlongs at Dundalk on his final start of 2011. You can strike a line straight through his Chester reappearance, effectively losing all chance as he was bumped leaving the stalls, and he finished with plenty of running left. He went off too hard at York on his most recent outing but shaped encouragingly all the same as he battled on for fifth. The drop to the minimum trip is almost certain to suit and he appeals as being well handicapped off a BHA mark of 94, the same as when running at both Chester and York.
Desert Law is another that will step down in trip from six furlongs, a factor that could well play to the four-year-old's strengths. The Andrew Balding-trained gelding has raced keenly in the past, something certainly in evidence on his seasonal debut at Doncaster last month, and, although he has raced at the minimum trip once before, the impression was that he simply wasn't himself that day, finding very little, so that effort can be forgiven. His handicap mark seems fair enough, runner-up off the same rating in a useful Ascot handicap last August, and he strikes as one to keep firmly on side.
Jamesway has not won since June 2010, but he would look to have solid claims of getting back in the winners' enclosure. Looking back to Captain Dunne's success last year, Jamesway was a fast-finishing seventh, belatedly finding daylight having been switched from a low draw to get amongst what was an incredibly bunched finish. That effort can be viewed very positively as he was just a three-year-old, and his return this year, over the Dash course-and-distance, demonstrated that he retains all of his ability. He looks to have slipped to a decent mark, 3 lb lower than 12 months ago, and everything looks set for Jamesway to be bang there at the finish.
One that is well worth considering is Catfish, trained by Brian Meehan, who ran an excellent race on her seasonal bow when second to Dancing Freddy at York. The four-year-old filly is more lightly raced than most she will line up against having made just the 10 starts, and she took a step forward when beaten just half a length at York, looking all about speed. She has raced only on good or good-to-firm as yet and is likely to be suited by the stellar test of speed the track presents.
A couple more that catch the eye are Long Awaited and Taajub. The former made a winning start for current trainer David Barron, having transferred from the Roger Varian yard, in a solid Doncaster handicap a month ago. However, the caveat with him is that he made a similarly promising debut last year before failing to deliver in three subsequent starts, so there has to be a question as to whether he can back up that effort this time around.
Taajub showed he could be a 'Dash' contender when second over course and distance last month, beating the aforementioned Jamesway by a length and a half. He is likely to give a good account of himself come Saturday, although the suspicion is that he may struggle to confirm form with that rival.
As a race to get the heart pumping prior to the premier classic of the season, the Epsom Dash fits the bill perfectly. Nailing the winner would add yet more exhilaration to the occasion, and siding with both Jamesway and Desert Law may pay dividend. The former is proven at the track, looks to be racing from a handy mark and is certainly one to keep on the right side of, whilst Desert Law appeals as the type to improve for the drop in trip, also races from a decent-looking mark and could well surprise a few with a bold showing.
Recommendations
Back Jamesway @ 20.019/1 and Desert Law @ 21.020/1 in the Epsom Dash
