Timeform Daily: Wednesday, Epsom 15:25

Timeform
22 April 2014

Timeform preview a competitive handicap from Epsom

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Timeform provide a runner-by-runner guide to a competitive renewal of the City And Suburban Handicap at Epsom...

Resurge is getting on a bit now but he made a winning reappearance over C&D in a similarly hot race last year and might be worth chancing from what is potentially a good mark...

Clayton was successful at Newmarket last summer and better than ever when making winning return at Pontefract earlier in month. Smart effort required to defy new mark in race as hot as this, though.

Mirsaale won the Derby Trial over this C&D a year ago but didn't make much impact in the big one itself and last of 14 in the Winter Derby on last month's reappearance.

Red Avenger produced fine seconds in big-field handicaps at Newmarket and Goodwood last summer. Nicely berthed in stall 2 and each-way player on return to action.

Hi There won 3 times last season, but was below form in Lincoln on reappearance. Return to a longer trip in his favour but more needed off this mark.

Salutation lost his way in the autumn but back with a bang when winning the Rosebery at Kempton by 6 lengths on reappearance. Stuck up 10 lb for that but will still be competitive if turning up here in similar form.

Sennockian Star showed he is a tough sort when winning 5 times in 2013. Respectable efforts both starts this term, just over 5 lengths behind Clayton when third at Pontefract last time. Return to very best may not even be enough here.

King's Warrior hasn't gone on since winning the 2012 John Smith's Cup and has failed to win over hurdles for this yard in recent months. Others have much more obvious claims.

Tres Coronas held his form really well last year, third in both the John Smith's Cup and Cambridgeshire after winning at Chester in May. Hasn't returned at the top of his game, though.

Rock Choir is a sister to the smart Chorist, and progressive when winning twice last summer. Form did level off in autumn but from a family which improves with age and Ryan Moore a good booking on return. Hood refitted.

Soviet Rock made all in a pair of Newmarket handicaps this time last year. Came up short in some competitive handicaps after but still fairly lightly raced and no surprise to see him get back on up in 2014.

Resurge enhanced his excellent record here when winning valuable handicap on Oaks Day on last year's reappearance. Lost his form subsequently but dropped below that winning mark as a result. Very interesting.

Ajman Bridge is a lightly-raced sort who made winning debut on AW at end of 2012 and returned to win Pontefract handicap in September. Couple of good placed efforts later in the autumn and surely more to come.

Charles Camoin won on only previous try over this C&D and solid comeback when sixth in the Spring Cup at Newbury earlier this month. Step back up in trip should be in favour but draw could have been kinder.

Cactus Valley is a consistent sort who got back to winning ways at Windsor last June. Absence since suggests he must have had a problem but respected all the same.

Weapon of Choice won over C&D in September. Shaped as if needing run on Doncaster reappearance but career best needed if he's to win a race as competitive as this.

Pasaka Boy got back on the up when winning over C&D on Derby Day last year and bounced back from some lesser efforts when going in again at Newbury in September. Wide draw enough reason to look elsewhere this time, though.

Ebony Express improved in leaps and bounds towards the end of last season, completing hat-trick at Nottingham in November. Handicapper had his say afterwards, though, and he was a well-beaten second on return.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. Resurge
2. Ajman Bridge
3. Soviet Rock

Timeform View: A typically competitive renewal of this valuable handicap. Resurge is getting on a bit now but he made a winning reappearance over C&D in a similarly hot race last year and might be worth chancing from what is potentially a good mark. The progressive Ajman Bridge should have more to come after just 4 starts, while Soviet Rock and Rock Choir also appeal as the types to get back on the up in 2014.