'There's no reason why he shouldn't be as good on turf' - can Chalk Mountain finally score away from the all-weather?

As the build up to a big weekend at Epsom ramps up, we are reminded of a recent Classic winner at that fixture in this 7f handicap. Commanding Prince, a Too Darn Hot half-brother to 2018 Derby winner Masar, has been running well in turf handicaps and it feels inevitable one will fall his way soon. 

The four-year-old was late to the track, making his debut only in February, but made up for lost time by landing two of his three novice starts on the all-weather.  

An inability to settle has hindered Commanding Prince, a beaten favourite on his last two runs. First-time cheekpieces are traded for blinkers, although trainer Archie Watson is a modest 3-33 with such runners. 

It is premature to pigeonhole Commanding Prince as superior on the all-weather, the way Chalk Mountain is.

Chalk Mountain has recorded five wins, four seconds and two thirds in 17 all-weather starts and has a career-best Racing Post Rating of 91 in that sphere. That is 14lb better than his turf mark. 

Winless in eight turf starts with a solitary runner-up finish to his name, Chalk Mountain has something to prove despite arriving in decent heart.

Jungle Land is the other with positive recent form. He has also been running well on the sand, but is equally effective on turf. However, there is limited evidence Jungle Land wants 7f, a trip worth pursuing for well-bred 1m2f winner Sword. 

The son of Kingman pulled his chance away in a competitive handicap at York on his return and stable debut for David O'Meara. He gets a first-time hood for this weaker race, and O’Meara excels with this type of handicapper.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Going latest

Conditions are good, good to firm in places at the East Midlands track after a dry start to the week. Showers bringing between one and two millimetres of rain are possible ahead of racing on Tuesday. 

What they say

David O'Meara, trainer of Sword
He ran too freely at York and was ultimately very disappointing, but he might have just been a bit fresh and we hope he settles better here. He's run over a mile plenty, but he's been showing lots of speed, so I wanted to run him over seven furlongs.

Stuart Kittow, trainer of Chalk Mountain
He's in good form at home and we were very pleased with his run at Kempton when he wasn't beaten far. It seems like he prefers the all-weather, all his best form is there, but there's no reason why he shouldn't be as good on turf, so we'll give it another try.

George Boughey, trainer of Jungle Land
He's been consistent this year and I'm looking forward to seeing him back on the turf. We've run him just once over this trip, but I think he's quite versatile. Any rain would be beneficial.

Adrian Wintle, trainer of Manhattan Mirage This is his first run for us and I'm hoping he can outrun his odds. It's a bit of a step into the unknown, but I've been very pleased with his progress from when we bought him until now. We work him in a hood at home, so we've kept that on just to relax him first time out. 

Julie Camacho, trainer of Infinity Blue
He seems in good heart and we've been pleased with him since his last run. The track will suit.
Reporting by Catherine Macrae

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