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