DE VEGA TO DO IT IN THE DASH

15:45 Epsom

Dubbed as one of the fastest five furlong sprints in world racing, the Epsom Dash makes its eagerly awaited return and plenty of old favourites line up in what promises to be a cracking renewal.

Caspian Prince knows his way around here and has landed this contest on three different occasions. Now well into the ''Veteran'' stage, aged twelve, one would usually concede that this task should be nearing on impossible, however, he keeps on performing with credit and the ground will unlikely make much difference to him. Drawn low (Stall 4) he will almost certainly attempt to force a frenetic early pace and the fairy-tale could be on if he can drag the opposition into a slugfest late on.

Ornate is another former winner of this and he too likes to blast off from the front, drawn in 6, it is easy to see him being bang there come the end although genuine soft ground doesn't look ideal.

Only Spoofing has form on downhill tracks and was impressive when dotting up at Navan last month, his new mark of 89 poses a very serious question although he should at least appreciate the likely strong pace and respect is afforded.

Blue De Vega can be frustrating and his effort at Newmarket last time, on the face of it, offers little hope for today. That being said, he has performed with plenty of credit here before and his now mark of 95, equates to being 5lbs below that of the mark he was last successful off. Proven on rain softened ground and with his yard showing signs of returning to form, it is fairly easy to see him out running his big odds and a chance is taken that he can weave his way from off a strong pace and into a place.

Sunday Sovereign has been well backed during the week and looks like going off towards the head of the betting market as a result. His highly encouraging second at York the last day was a major step in the right direction and he should go very close if building upon that.

Copper Knight deserves a mention and he could go close if getting loose from a high draw whilst Stone Of Destiny would have every chance if getting away on level terms. Arguments for most of the others are easy enough to make but our vote shall be halved between Blue De Vega and the evergreen Caspian Prince.

Caspian Prince (E/W)

Blue De Vega (E/W)

written by Chris Connolly