Sleepy ready to give bookies a wake-up call NEWSBOY’S ITV TIPS
NOT SO SLEEPY (nb) is primed to repeat his victory of 12 months ago in the Investec Wealth & Investment Handicap (3.45) at Epsom this afternoon.
In 2017, the son of Beat Hollow showed true grit under Adam Kirby, squeezing through rivals inside the final furlong to overhaul Innocent Touch for a neck win.
That success came from a handicap mark of 98 — exactly the rating the Hughie Morrison six-year-old competes from today.
Although down the field in the Lincoln at Doncaster in March, Not So Sleepy improved on that form when third to Restorer at Chester three weeks ago.
Another step forward will take Not So Sleepy, who is proven with cut in the ground, into the thick of things this afternoon.
He’s hardly a betting proposition, but
should prove head and shoulders above five foes for the Group 1 Investec Coronation Cup (3.10).
Third in last year’s Derby before taking second in the Irish version, the John Gosden-trained son of Frankel (above) is unbeaten in four outings since — including top-level scores in the Champion Stakes (Ascot) and Prix Ganay (Longchamp) — and it will rank as the shock of the fixture if his colours are lowered.
Rain-softened conditions are a definite plus for in the Investec Mile Handicap (2.35).
The gelded son of King’s Best was trained by Mark Johnston when landing a seven-furlong handicap at this meeting two years ago.
Now with Jason Ward, having been with David Barron last year, King’s Pavilion has gained three of his four career wins on ground softer than good — and ran better than his finishing position implies when eighth in a valuable one-mile handicap at Wetherby last time.
The opening Investec Woodcote EBF Stakes (2.00) is a good opportunity for
to get off the mark.
Brian Meehan’s two-year-olds invariably benefit from their racecourse debuts, so the Zebedee chestnut’s third at Newbury a fortnight ago rates a promising portent.
The penny dropped late on when Mendoza took third to The Paddocks and better is expected here.