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Wednesday 1 July 2015

8.55 Epsom, Thursday, July 2

It’s fair to say that Outer Space, who began his career with Richard Hannon Sr., has become disappointing, but he’s still only a 4-year-old and there are reasons to believe that he retains significantly more ability than he showed when only seventh of thirteen, beaten 10 lengths, behind Musaddas on the Rowley Mile in May. The form of that race has worked out very well in any case, but the bare form may not tell the whole story.

The Acclamation gelding was 3lb better off for three-quarters of a length with the winner on their running over 7 furlongs at Kempton last November, but was never really put into the race by Timmy Murphy (who was riding him for the first time and retains the ride). He may still have needed the race, on just his second start since December, but the way he stayed steadily in the closing stages to pull 8 lengths clear of the horse that finished eighth suggested that he had plenty left in the tank. If that was really the case, the handicapper may have taken a chance in dropping him 2lb in the weights.

Outer Space didn’t appear to be crying out from a drop back to 7 furlongs at Newmarket, but drops back into 0-85 company for the first time since winning at Kempton last August, so has plenty going for him despite some uninspiring form figures. He’s available at 14/1 with William Hill and Betfair Sportsbook in the early price lists but, frankly, looks like a gamble waiting to happen.

Selection: Epsom 8.55 Outer Space to win