11
|
(9) |
|
5/1
9/2
|
|
|
4/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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|
|
Spotlight :
Strong form when winning a 5f handicap at Haydock last summer (good ground) and he ran to a similar level twice afterwards, including a fine second on soft ground at Doncaster in October; two promising efforts this year, making some stealthy late progress at Chester's May meeting on latest outing; the eye is drawn to the booking of Oisin Murphy, who was on board for his near-miss at Doncaster; a big run is on the cards.
|
7
|
(7) |
|
11/2
13/2
|
|
|
6/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Durable sprinter who has been better than ever this year, placed in good sprints at Musselburgh and twice at York; hasn't got much wiggle room off his current mark, however, and although he ran well in form terms when fourth in the 3yo Dash here in 2023, he looked all at sea on the track in the closing stages; other options are perhaps stronger this time.
|
4
|
(18) |
|
8/1
15/2
|
|
|
8/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Spotlight :
Positives include his relatively low mileage and the fact that he produced his best performance over this C&D in April when cheekpieces were tried for the first time; on the downside, he's 7lb higher, he was well held at York last month and he would have more to prove if the going is slower than good.
|
1
|
(15) |
|
8/1
17/2
|
|
|
9/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Capable of smart form on turf and AW and he looked to have this race in safekeeping in 2023, only to be worn down close home; temperamental issues surfaced last summer, however, blowing the start in this race and on a couple of subsequent occasions; returned from five months off to win a Southwell Listed race in February and backed that up with a good third in the Group 3 Palace House Stakes five weeks ago; today's greater emphasis on speed is in his favour but he probably wouldn't want much rain.
|
2
|
(6) |
|
17/2
8/1
|
|
|
9/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Did well for this stable in 2024, showing bundles of pace and winning twice, notably in Beverley Listed event in August (5f, good to firm); creditable efforts at this meeting in the last two seasons, picked off late on by Dream Composer 12 months ago; 2lb higher this time around but his runs in Listed/Group races should have him primed; should have another big run in him.
|
8
|
(2) |
|
10/1
9/1
|
|
|
10/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
The winner of nine races, seeming particularly well suited by an easy 5f on slow ground; he has looked to be running himself into top form this year, travelling better than anything when sixth of 17 at York's Dante meeting (5f, good to firm); not at his best in this race in 2023 but fast ground wouldn't have been ideal; every drop of rain to fall will be in his favour and his rider's claim is a bonus; should be arriving on the scene late.
|
10
|
(13) |
|
11/1
9/1
|
|
|
10/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Has been headstrong but he was getting the hang of things in 2024, winning 5f handicaps at Goodwood and Ascot (both on good ground, handles slower); refused to race at Goodwood last July which does sound a note of caution but there were no issues at the start at Chester on his return, a race in which he was dropped in from a wide stall and never threatened; surprising if he weren't seen to much better effect today.
|
3
|
(19) |
|
12/1
11/1
|
|
|
12/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Ex-Andrew Balding; inconsistent last year but smart on his day, notably when winning a 6f handicap at Newmarket's Guineas meeting; in good form in Bahrain this year, most recently showing plenty of pluck to win a local Grade 1 (5f, good) in March; returns to Britain with an inflated mark but he's drawn against the rail and has the pace to capitalise; significant rain would be a query.
|
5
|
(3) |
|
12/1
14/1
|
|
|
12/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Won this event 12 months ago, coming with a strong late run to collar Democracy Dilemma close home; didn't look totally at ease on the track despite winning and he's 9lb higher (and Joe Leavy's claim has evaporated since) this time around; reappearance second was up there with his best form and not ideally drawn at Chester latest, so a repeat win isn't out of the question.
|
15
|
(14) |
|
12/1
11/1
|
|
|
12/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Hugely talented sprinter who has run a string of fine races in defeat this year, including when second to Spartan Arrow over C&D in April (met traffic); he's sneaking back up the weights and his losing run stands at 40 but it would be no surprise to see him in the shake-up.
|
6
|
(16) |
|
18/1
20/1
|
|
|
18/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Has been to Epsom only once before and that resulted in a gutsy front-running success in this race in 2022; as good as ever last year, notably when winning a four-runner conditions event at Beverley; the handicapper took a dim view of that win and he's struggled since but he is more realistically weighted again now; has form on good to soft but peak efforts on good or quicker.
|
12
|
(11) |
|
18/1
20/1
|
|
|
18/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Blew hot and cold in 2023 and 2024 but he's been a model of consistency for his new yard in 2025, winning twice on AW and turning in solid efforts back on turf the last twice; his trainer, who is mob-handed, may have stronger claims elsewhere, though.
|
9
|
(17) |
|
22/1
25/1
|
|
|
22/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Good strike-rate and he would be well suited by plenty of rain; dropped right away on his first run in the care of Ivan Furtado six weeks ago (6f, AW) but 5f is his ideal trip; should fare better today but this race might prove a shade too competitive.
|
13
|
(1) |
|
22/1
25/1
|
|
|
28/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Prominent racer; no match for Spartan Arrow at Wolverhampton or over C&D in the spring; another good run at Goodwood last time but he's likely to be vulnerable in this line-up.
|
14
|
(10) |
|
28/1
25/1
|
|
|
28/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Off the mark on turf when winning at Nottingham in April and he followed up at Southwell 18 days later; dropped away at Windsor last month, though, and he was well beaten in the 3yo Dash here last summer.
|
18
|
(4) |
|
25/1
28/1
|
|
|
33/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
He has been running creditably in defeat this year without suggesting he's primed to win a race of this nature from out of the weights.
|
19
|
(12) |
|
22/1
25/1
|
|
|
33/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Comes here on the up, winning two of his last four starts and running as well as he ever has when third at Chelmsford on Sunday; 5lb out of the weights here, though, and that could prove beyond him.
|
16
|
(5) |
|
33/1
40/1
|
|
|
50/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Something clicked last autumn and he won five times between September and November, soaring up the handicap in the process; ended 2024 with a lesser effort at Nottingham, however, and finished down the field on his seasonal return two weeks ago.
|
17
|
(8) |
|
50/1
40/1
|
|
|
50/1
|
SP
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Spotlight :
Not beaten far into fifth in the 2023 renewal when rated much higher; not the obvious answer today from 4lb wrong.
|
|
|
|
|
|
1/5 Odds 5
Places
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