15:15 Epsom
GoodBetfred ‘Dash’ Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
- First Prize: £61152
- 0m 5f 0y
- Class 2
- 20 runners
ITV
Runners: 20 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Mostly cloudy
Form: 3-3096 D
OR: 99
W: 9st 12lb
Age: 6 yo Gelding
Front-runner; second in this race in 2024 off 3lb higher; ran away with a 5f handicap at Haydock (good ground) last September off this mark; unable to hit the same heights since but his AW third in February was a fair run; won't be inconvenienced should there be a marked deterioration in the going but a full revival is required; visor returns having been left off latest.
Form: 8-0100 D
OR: 98
W: 9st 11lb
Age: 6 yo Gelding
Acts on any ground; having dropped in the weights he enjoyed a revival last August/September, rattling off a four-timer (5f-5.3f); had a stint in Bahrain over the winter, unplaced on four occasions but recording a career best when winning a 5f event (good to firm) in January; looks on a tough mark back in Britain.
Form: 219-31 D
OR: 97
W: 9st 10lb
Age: 4 yo Colt
Picked off late in the 3yo Dash 12 months ago; gelded prior to his seasonal return and he has run well on both starts in 2026, following his close third at Musselburgh with an impressive win at Goodwood five weeks ago (5f, good); a 9lb rise asks a stiffer question but he is progressive.
Form: 113-29 D
OR: 94
W: 9st 7lb
Age: 4 yo Filly
Progressive in 2025 and she took her form to a new level when second of 14 in a Bath Listed event on her reappearance (5f, good); not in the same form at Newbury (6f, good) when last seen seven weeks ago and she is now 11lb higher; others look stronger.
Form: 2554-2 D
OR: 93
W: 9st 6lb
Age: 4 yo Filly
All four wins have come on the AW at Dundalk and she wasn't beaten far in a Group 3 there on her final run in 2025; fully effective on turf and ran a cracker at Navan three weeks ago, showing her trademark early speed before being picked off late on (front two pulled 6l clear); 8lb higher today but this track should play to her strengths; chance.
Form: 5826-0 CD
OR: 92
W: 9st 5lb
Age: 4 yo Filly
In 2025 she took a big step forward from her seasonal return when sweeping through late to collar Lexington Blitz in the 3yo Dash on this card; also won at Wolverhampton in July (6f, AW) off 1lb higher than today; never a threat at York last month on return to action but it's not unreasonable to expect much better today and she is sure to get a strong pace to aim at.
Form: 1121-2 DBF
OR: 91
W: 9st 4lb
Age: 4 yo Filly
Progressive when dropped to 5f in the second half of 2025, winning a Windsor novice (good to firm) and adding handicap wins at Chester (good to firm) and Haydock (good); unable to justify odds-on favouritism at Yarmouth (5f, good to soft) 24 days ago on her return from seven months off but it was still a solid effort and she remains capable of better; another 3lb higher today but sure to be popular.
Form: 9014-2 D
OR: 91
W: 9st 4lb
Age: 4 yo Gelding
Won a 5f handicap (good to soft; first time in tongue-tie/cheekpieces combination) at Haydock last September off a 6lb lower mark; stayed on for second behind the impressive Lexington Blitz at Goodwood on last month's return; withdrawn at York two weeks ago having got upset in the stalls (9-1 at the time of withdrawal); the more rain the better; no accessories today.
Form: 921-08 D
OR: 91
W: 9st 4lb
Age: 5 yo Colt
Suited by good ground or slower; won a 5f Listed race in Italy on his final start for a French yard; big prices and finished down the field in two 5f handicaps last month; dropped 7lb for his troubles but he arrives with a point to prove.
Form: 395107 D
OR: 89
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 4 yo Gelding
Saw off 11 rivals when scoring at Musselburgh in April (5f, good; Class 4) but he has had his limitations exposed in stronger company twice since; beaten only 3l at York two weeks ago but others are more appealing in today's field.
Form: 313418 D
OR: 87
W: 9st 0lb
Age: 4 yo Gelding
In good form on AW for Mike Murphy this winter, winning twice at Southwell (5f/6f); slowly away (blindfold removed late) at Goodwood two weeks ago; looks vulnerable at this level and goes without accessories this time.
Form: 006-27 CD
OR: 86
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 9 yo Gelding
Won big-field 5f handicaps at York and Goodwood last July; two solid efforts in defeat this season and he won on his only visit to Epsom, albeit over 7f; not impossibly treated but he wouldn't want the ground to be any slower than good.
Form: 347091 D
OR: 86
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 5 yo Gelding
6f AW win on his stable debut in November; added to his tally when seeing off five rivals at Chepstow 16 days ago (Class 4; 5f, good to soft); in deeper today.
Form: 6-1315 D
OR: 86
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 4 yo Colt
2-4 since joining Mick Appleby, notably a Class 2 handicap win at Pontefract (5f, good to soft; cheekpieces first time) in April; solid run at York three weeks ago and one for whom rain would be no concern.
Form: -83272
OR: 85
W: 8st 12lb
Age: 4 yo Colt
Yet to win for Ian Williams but he's down in the weights and has run well in two of his last three starts, pipped at Goodwood last month (5f, good); wouldn't be sure to confirm those placings with Dream Composer this time.
Form: 3830-2 D
OR: 84
W: 8st 11lb
Age: 8 yo Gelding
Appreciated the return to turf when finishing second of 17 at Ascot five weeks ago; 1lb rise still leaves him on a feasible mark; rarely seen on slower than good.
OUR TIP
Form: 789-14 CD
OR: 84
W: 8st 11lb
Age: 8 yo Gelding
Trained by James Evans when winning this race in 2024 off a 5lb higher mark (good to soft); well beaten in it last year but he arrives in good form for his new stable, winning at Ripon in April and not enjoying the cleanest run when fourth at Goodwood 15 days ago; rain won't hurt his chance and he's of obvious interest.
Form: -44543 D
OR: 84
W: 8st 11lb
Age: 6 yo Gelding
Admirable campaigner who is gradually edging down the weights; type to pop up soon but perhaps in a slightly less competitive affair.
Form: 8-0070 D
OR: 83
W: 8st 10lb
Age: 7 yo Gelding
Prolific winner down the years and he arrives off an 11lb lower mark than when fifth in this 12 months ago; yet to shine this year (poor draw at Chester on penultimate start) but it wouldn't be a huge shock to see him fare better today.
Form: 4-2421 D
OR: 83
W: 8st 10lb
Age: 6 yo Gelding
Better on AW than turf but took advantage of a good opportunity at Yarmouth in April (5f, good); hit with an 8lb rise for that, bringing his turf and AW marks into line; blew the start back at Yarmouth last month but the stewards deemed him a non-runner due to having his head turned as the stalls opened; risky on the back of that and there are other pace influences to contend with today.
Terms and conditions
*Odds displayed on this page are sourced directly from online bookmakers. Please check all details before placing your bet(s). 18+ only.
Betting Forecast
8/1 Democracy Dilemma, 33/1 Another Baar, 6/1 Lexington Blitz, 16/1 Cindy Lou Who, 12/1 Eclairage, 14/1 Stormy Impact, 5/1 Kinswoman, 12/1 King Of Light, 50/1 Rogue Enforcer, 33/1 Ziggys Triton, 50/1 Star Chorus, 14/1 Brazen Bolt, 25/1 Betsen, 10/1 Arklow Lad, 15/2 Dyonisos, 20/1 Emperor Spirit, 10/1 Dream Composer, 20/1 Rhythm N Hooves, 16/1 Vintage Clarets, 20/1 Almaty Star
Verdict
Some fast horses are on show, with the pace looking evenly spread across the track. Kinswoman still has potential and should go well, while Dyonisos and Lexington Blitz arrive after good runs and the Fahey runners Vintage Clarets and Stormy Impact (second choice) should be seen to better effect today. DREAM COMPOSER has been coaxed back to form by Tony Carroll and he remains on a competitive mark, 5lb lower than when winning this race in 2024.[Paul Smith]