Epsom preview: Marmot and Baker a tasty combination
Published:
Marmot has a good record under jockey George Baker and looks the answer to the 1m 2f handicap on this evening’s card at Epsom (19.50) now dropped back in trip.
Baker has partnered the Roger Charlton trained colt on three occasions, winning twice and finishing fourth on the other.
The pair struck for the first time on his seasonal reappearance at Lingfield where Marmot ran on strongly to cosily land a 7f maiden.
Marmot was allotted what looked a lenient opening handicap mark of 73 on the back of that success and sent off the 7/2 second favourite to follow-up in a warm looking class 4 contest at Haydock.
The son of Champs Elysees managed to finish just seventh of 12 to Jumerai Glory, but was poorly placed under Graham Lee and after finding himself at the rear kept on inside the final furlong.
Marmot duly got back on the winning trail at Brighton when reunited with Baker, travelling strongly throughout and staying on well to score with more in hand than the one length winning margin suggests.
The three-year-old then found the step up to 1m 4f last time out against him when fading late on to finish fourth at Salisbury off his current mark of 79 after looking sire to play a hand in the finish, but it was an effort which showed he remained in form and the drop back to 1m 2f is sure to suit.
Trainer Mark Johnston has his team in terrific form and Denzille Lane can provide the Middleham handler with another winner in the 7f handicap (20.20).
The gelding comes into the contest in rude health having landed back-to-back successes in handicaps at Newamrket and Beverley before narrowly failing to land the hat-trick when beaten a short-head by Mime Dance at Catterick six days ago.
Denzille Lane is now able to race off 1lb lower, and that gives the three-year-old major cliams from a handicapping perspective.
The son Iffraaj also looks the type who may have more to offer, and with Franny Norton in the saddle looks weighted to take all the beating.
Selections:
18.10: Freddy With A Y
18.45: Arantes
19.15: Shadow Game
19.50: Marmot (NAP)
20.20: Denzille Lane (NB)
20.50: Merritt Island
