Innocent has winning touch at Epsom

Richard Fahey’s six-year-old won race by a length 12 months ago and returns off same handicap mark of 90

caught the eye at York and looks nicely positioned to win back-to-back renewals of the Stanley Wootton Handicap at Epsom.

Richard Fahey’s six-year-old landed this mile-and-a-quarter race by a snug length 12 months ago and yet he returns to the Surrey circuit off the same handicap mark of 90.

It is hard to believe the Malton handler has not had a repeat bid in mind for quite some time as he heads back to a track at which he is clearly a capable operator.

Innocent Touch has been in solid, if not spectacular, form this season, but he is evidently coming to hand at just about the right time.

Despite having turned in solid efforts over this course and distance and at York, Fahey decided to give the Intense Focus gelding a whirl over a mile back on the Knavesmire a month ago.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Innocent Touch stayed on at the death and was only beaten two and three-quarters of a length by Lord Of The Rock.

There is little wonder he is back over his preferred trip of a mile and a quarter at Epsom, where Adam McNamara’s 3lb claim will also come in very handy for the top weight.

A really interesting field has been declared for the mile-and-a-quarter conditions stakes on the card, with preference for MOUNT LOGAN.

Many will hope Midterm can finally rediscover his mojo, but he has now had many chances and was especially disappointing in a Listed race at Newmarket on July 1.

By contrast, Mount Logan has been in decent nick in good company this campaign and was the only horse to give Frankuus a race in the Rose of Lancaster at Haydock two weeks ago.

The 110-rated six-year-old is well treated by the conditions of this race and looks as sound an investment as anything in the line-up.

HAROME can come up trumps at Ripon.

Roger Fell’s three-year-old must carry top weight in a six-furlong handicap, but he likes running at the North Yorkshire circuit and only succumbed by a length to the progressive Holmeswood over five furlongs three weeks ago.

Harome has won before over this longer trip so that should be of little consequence for a horse who still has plenty to bring to the table.

SELECTIONS:

EPSOM: 2.05 Make Good, 2.40 Summerghand, 3.15 Midnight Malibu, 3.50 C’Est No Mour, 4.20 Mount Logan, 4.55 INNOCENT TOUCH (NAP), 5.25 Dubai’s Secret.

RIPON: 2.10 Sam James, 2.45 Dream Machine, 3.20 Harome, 3.55 Home Cummins, 4.30 Lake Volta, 5.05 Perfect Sense, 5.35 Kerry Icon.

DOUBLE: Innocent Touch and Mount Logan.