The Investec Corporate Banking Grand Metropolitan Handicap (3.20) at Epsom on Wednesday is a competitive heat for the grade, as is usually the case, but may present Fire Fighting with an opportunity to record his first win on turf since August 2016. Mark Johnston’s redoubtable 7-year-old may not be quite the force of old, but won a 0-105 over 1 mile 4 furlongs at Lingfield three starts ago off a 2lb lower mark and has subsequently run well on both starts over shorter. His lifetime form figures at Epsom read -1326-, so there’s no doubt about his ability to handle the track and, although eventually well held on his latest outing, over 1 mile 2 furlongs, at Chelmsford, the 12-length fourth, Mutamaded, popped up at 25/1 in a similar race at Ripon last Thursday.
Consequently, the form looks stronger than it did at the time but, in any case, the return to 1 mile 4 furlongs on rain-softened turf should do Fire Fighting no harm at this stage of his career. He probably doesn’t want much in the way of rain, but he’s won on the prevailing good to soft going in the past and could prove to be well handicapped. Adam Kirby, who’s won on him three times over the years, takes the ride and, while the Soldier Of Fortune gelding is, obviously, fully exposed, he’s usually fairly reliable and could go well at a decent price.
Selection: Epsom 3.20 Fire Fighting to win 10/1