Lancer can bowl Epsom rivals over

The Vodafone Rose Bowl is usually highly competitive fayre, commensurate with the huge pot available. But, on the face of it, this year's renewal at Epsom Downs on Friday probably won't take a great deal of winning given the fact that arguably the best two horses in the race on recent evidence, Stotsfold and Tabadul, won't relish the soft going. Conversely, Red Lancer will be in his element and while his lengthy losing run is disconcerting - he hasn't got his head in front since landing the Group 3 Chester Vase in May 2004 - everything looks firmly in place for the six-year-old to run a big race. Consequently, the 6/1 on offer with bet365 is well worth an investment. Red Lancer appears to be at his best on a left-handed track and he has posted cracking efforts in this race the last two years running, including when beaten just two and a half lengths into fifth behind Chancellor last term when racing off a 13lb higher mark in what was far more competitive turn out for this Class 2 prestige handicap. Providing that likely pacesetters Press The Button and Wovoka aren't ridden with more restraint than usual, a strong pace should be on offer and, from his ground-saving berth in stall two, Red Lancer may well get the run of the race. His effort at Lingfield last time caught the eye and I reckon Friday will be the day when he comes good. As in the case of Stotsfold and Tabadul, Lake Poet and Kings Quay would both be better served by a sound surface, while John Terry should be better for his comeback run, as Amanda Perrett's charges generally are, but chances are he'll find one or two too good. The biggest danger could come from Forroger, who is proven under the conditions. The last-named is best forgiven his unplaced effort behind Tcherina at York last month as he was badly hampered at a crucial stage and was never likely to land a blow thereafter. But he shaped as though going the right way when scoring on his reappearance at Haydock previously and, despite being 7lb higher in the weights, he should be in the thick of things here. Verdict - 1pt Red Lancer @ 6/1 (bet365)