Punting pointers and quotes as sprinters prepare to let rip in Dash

3.45 Epsom
Investec Dash Handicap | 5f | 3yo+ | ITV/RUK

Ahead of the handicapper

He may have cost only £3,000 in January but Hathiq is a half-brother to high-class performers Massaat and Eqtidaar and looks a sprinter firmly on the up.

He showed blistering speed to win over five furlongs at the Curragh last Sunday, earning a hefty hike in the handicap for future races. However, he carries only a 4lb penalty here so is 7lb well treated, which marks him down as the one to beat.

Trainer Denis Hogan, who is developing a reputation for being particularly adept with his bargain buys, said: "He came out of last weekend's Curragh win very well. He's a very fast horse who has won on easy ground and on quick ground – we're very happy with him."

Speed test suits Just That Lord

Just That Lord has an excellent record at Epsom and has yet to finish outside the first three in four outings at the track.

Trainer Michael Attwater, whose yard is a stone's throw from the Dash start, says it is no coincidence Just That Lord is compiling such a fine record at Epsom, where the five-furlong course is considered to be the fastest in the world.

Attwater said: "He barely gets five furlongs. You can see from his record at speed-favouring tracks like Windsor, Wolverhampton and here that he is better over an easy five furlongs. He wouldn't stay 20 yards beyond it.

"His early speed helps him as it allows him to keep out of trouble."

Attwater has yet to saddle a winner on Derby day but is hopeful Just That Lord, who finished third in last year's Dash, can register a much-coveted success.

He said: "We decided to keep him for this after his win here last month as he's best fresh. He finished third in it last year and the quicker ground will suit.

"He's capable of running a big race and has a lot in his favour – I couldn't be happier."

Just That Lord is drawn in stall five and has to overcome a recent draw trend with only one winner coming from stalls three to 13 in the last ten years (six were drawn high and the other three in stalls one or two).

Class act back in a handicap

The last time Muthmir tackled handicap company was in September 2014, when he overcame serious trouble in running to win the Portland in the style of a horse destined to make an impact at the highest level.

He didn't quite manage to win a Group 1 but has compiled a solid record at Pattern level and even last year ran to a level which suggests the handicapper may have relented a bit too quickly.

Trainer William Haggas said: "Muthmir is nine years old but he's got three things going for him: he's got a good draw, likes a fast pace and fast ground so we're hopeful."

Veteran is thriving

Duke Of Firenze is even older than Muthmir but the ten-year-old has undergone a revival this season, backing up victory at Thirsk with success in a valuable handicap at York last weekend.

Duke Of Firenze must carry a penalty but is still extremely well treated based on the pick of his form, including a close third in this off an 18lb higher mark two years ago, and trainer David Griffiths is confident of a bold bid.

He said: "He’s got to go there with a brilliant chance.

"He loves Epsom, he’s right back to his best and, from a purely handicapping point of view, he was beaten a short neck in the race off 107 two years ago and if he’s back to as good as he is he’s seriously well handicapped off 89."

Duke Of Firenze won the Dash in 2013 and this will be his sixth start in the race.

What they say

Mick Appleby, trainer of Caspian Prince
He's come out of Haydock well and should be spot on. I think the draw (in stall two) beat him last year but he has a better position (stall ten) this time. He's still got plenty of pace, is enthusiastic at home and has a good chance.

Key stat

This will be Caspian Prince's sixth start in the Dash. Remarkably he has won it three times and his form figures in the race read: 10110

2014 1/19
2015 17/20
2016 1/17
2017 1/19
2018 13/20

Dean Ivory, trainer of Stake Acclaim
He wants soft ground and the quickening conditions won't suit him. He's fit and well but the ground is a worry. I always thought he'd be a very good horse and, while I expected a big run on his return, the way he won at Newbury really pleased me.

Tim Palin, racing manager for Middleham Park Racing, owners of Harome and part-owners of Copper Knight
Copper Knight is in the form of his life and the Dash has been his principal target this season. It has also been the aim for Harome and the way Roger [Fell] trains horses they come to the boil after a few runs. The track will suit as they are all speed and if there were races over four and a half furlongs they would be Group horses.

Stuart Williams, trainer of Daschas
He's in good form but picked up a penalty at Newmarket which leaves him wrong at the weights. Last season was his first sprinting and I'm hoping he can carry on his improvement.

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