Epsom Preview: Swiss Cross ticks all the right boxes
Swiss Cross ran a cracker when runner-up last time out and holds outstanding claims of going one better in the 6f handicap at Epsom this evening (7.10).
The Phil McEntee trained gelding bounced back to form when finishing second of 16 to Ashpan Sam over course and distance in a class 2 contest on Derby day, keeping on well to be beaten 1 1/2 lengths.
The seven-year-old now gets into this lower grade class 3 contest off just 1lb higher, and remains 8lb lower than when registering his last success at Wolverhampton back in February.
That suggests that Swiss Cross is on a handy mark at present, and a repeat of his last run should be good enough to see the son of Cape Cross land the spoils.
Nave has shaped well in his last two starts, and looks weighted to take all the beating in the 1m 4f handicap (6.05) now returned to the scene of his last success.
The David Simcock trained gelding was in good form this time last year, slamming Royal Etiquette by eight lengths quick ground at Windsor before following-up over course and distance when easily beating Tingo In The Tale by four lengths off a mark of 73.
The seven-year-old then got put up to a mark of 81, and ran creditably off it to finish fourth on two occasions on the all-weather at Kempton.
Nave now gets into this off just 69, 4lb lower than when last successful, and that gives the son of Pulpit a huge chance of getting back on the scoresheet.
In the 7f handicap that closes the card (8.50), Regal Dan could be the answer to a trappy contest having dropped down the weights.
The colt has just one success to his name, with that victory coming in a 7f class 2 contest at Doncaster on fast ground off a rating of 81 back in September 2012.
The Charlie Hills trained four-year-old went on to post some solid efforts last year to be placed off 87, and now gets into this class 4 contest off 83.
That gives Regal Dan a big chance from a handicapping perspective, and with the the trip and ground ideal a big run looks on the cards.
Selections:
6.05: Nave (NB)
6.35: Lwah
7.10: Swiss Cross (NAP)
7.45: Toast of The Town
8.20: Cravat
8.50: Regal Dan
