Captain Dunne is back to the same mark as when winning last year's Investec Specialist Bank "Dash" and connections are hoping for further success.
Course specialist out to regain his crown
Captain Dunne returns to the scene of his finest hour to defend his crown in the Investec Specialist Bank "Dash" at Epsom on Saturday.
Having been narrowly beaten into second in 2009, Tim Easterby's seven-year-old went one place better last year under a positive ride from David Allan.
Captain Dunne has been well held on his two starts this year but Tim Palin, racing manager for owners Middleham Park Racing, believes that a return to a fast surface at Epsom can turn around his fortunes.
"Everything about Epsom suits Captain Dunne and he's on the same mark as he was last year," said Palin.
"He has top weight again, as he did last year, but with the ground in his favour you'd have to be very hopeful.
"It looks a competitive renewal and I suppose the only slight worry would be last year he came into the race having finished a close second in a Group Three in France, and this year he's finished sixth and fifth.
"On the face of it, he is not in the same form as he was 12 months ago, but his last two runs have been on soft ground and that isn't for him."
Jamesway
Middleham Park have a second representative in the Richard Fahey-trained
Jamesway.
He was beaten less than a length into seventh in last year's renewal.
Palin believes he, too, would have a strong chance if luck is on his side.
He said: "Jamesway is a hold-up horse and, for that reason, he needs luck in running.
"Every time he runs he seems to be favourite or second favourite - he doesn't win very often as he needs everything to drop right.
"It was the same story last time he went to Epsom, but the faster they go the better, as hopefully he'll be able to weave his way through and challenge late."
Tom Dascombe is keeping his fingers crossed
Bear Behind can enjoy a deserved victory.
The three-year-old passed the post in front on his seasonal debut at Musselburgh, but was subsequently placed second by the stewards.
He was then beaten just a neck at Sandown by Ballesteros, who has subsequently bolted up at Chester.
"He's been pretty unlucky so far this season - he's lost two races and only been beaten a neck," said Dascombe.
"I think we've been reasonably lucky with the draw and he's quite a streetwise horse having run against older horses as a two-year-old.
"It's quicker ground than he's run on so far this year, but I think he wants quicker ground."
Harris Verdict
The Ron Harris-trained
Judge 'N Jury won a hot handicap at York a couple of weeks ago and the Monmouthshire handler is confident of another big run.
Harris said: "He's in good order, he came out of his last race well and I wouldn't be surprised to see him improve a bit from his last run as well.
"His draw is all right (stall 14), and I'm just hoping they have a drop of rain.
"I think he's definitely the speed horse in the race."
Yorkshire trainer David Barron has an interesting contender in
Long Awaited, a winner on his first start of the year at Doncaster.
"He's been in good form since Doncaster and while the ground will be livelier on Saturday than it was last time, that won't worry him," said Barron.
"He hasn't had many runs but he's done everything right and he looks a nice horse at home.
"We'll find out how nice on Saturday."
Experimental Law
Andrew Balding is trying
Desert Law back over five furlongs for just the second time in his career.
He said: "He's in good shape and it's a bit of an experiment with him to see how he'll get on back over five furlongs - it's probably the quickest five furlongs in the world.
"He was a bit disappointing at Doncaster last time but I think it was a combination of a few things - the ground was a bit soft for him and it was his first run of the year.
"I think he's a well-handicapped horse, so it will be interesting to see how he gets on."
Sohraab was fourth in the race last year, but trainer Hughie Morrison remains cautious following an abject performance at Newbury last month.
"He didn't put his best foot forward at Newbury, but I think he enjoyed his day out," said Morrison.
"I think five furlongs is his trip nowadays and he wasn't too keen on going the sixth furlong last time.
"He was quite late into training this year, so hopefully that run will have brought him on.
"Last year in this race he didn't look like he was going to finish anywhere near and then he flew home."
