17:50 Epsom
Good To SoftDebenhams Handicap
- First Prize: £38655
- 0m 7f 3y
- Class 2
- 16 runners
RTV
Runners: 16 runners
Type: Flat Turf
Surface: Turf
Weather: Light rain
OUR TIP
Form: 4230-1 D
OR: 96
W: 9st 12lb
Age: 4 yo Filly
Lightly raced 4yo who can be difficult to settle but ran well in some quality handicaps last summer (including on good to soft; unraced on softer) and reappeared with a win at Chester (7f, good) last month; prevailed despite a wide draw and she could still have more left in the tank.
Form: 604-50 CD
OR: 93
W: 9st 9lb
Age: 8 yo Gelding
Down the field in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month but promising reappearance there (7f, good) previously; won this race in 2021 (good to soft) and 2024 (good to soft), and was third last year (good to soft); this week's rain has been in his favour and he's on a dangerous mark.
Form: 01-706 D
OR: 91
W: 9st 7lb
Age: 4 yo Gelding
Two-time French winner (7f, very soft/good to soft) who took a step back in the right direction with close sixth of 13 at Chester (7.5f, good) last month on his second stable start; the forecast slower ground could be a positive today and he's not ruled out.
Form: 61320- CD
OR: 91
W: 9st 7lb
Age: 4 yo Colt
Disappointing last October on final 3yo start but the cheekpieces adopted that day are dispensed with and he's been gelded since; won over C&D (good) last July before very good efforts in defeat at Goodwood (7f, good to soft) and over C&D (good); retains potential and could be involved.
Form: 2467-1
OR: 90
W: 9st 6lb
Age: 4 yo Gelding
Considerable promise during light career for Karl Burke and better than ever when getting up close home in small field on his stable/seasonal debut at Pontefract (6f, good); there can be optimism that he will be fine back up to 7f and on slower ground, and he could have more to offer; contender.
Form: 40-301 CD
OR: 90
W: 9st 6lb
Age: 5 yo Gelding
Two C&D wins, the latest when completing a hat-trick last July (good to firm), and he won at Goodwood (7f, good) a fortnight ago; could be bang there if handling the forecast slow ground (mixed messages in his form).
Form: 14/9-0 DBF
OR: 90
W: 9st 6lb
Age: 6 yo Gelding
Won four times on slow ground in France (7f-1m2f); returned from long absence with heavy defeat on last month's stable debut at Ascot (1m, good to firm), where he pulled hard; that run may have got the freshness out of him and it will be interesting to see if he's again strong in the betting.
Form: 38-022 D
OR: 86
W: 9st 2lb
Age: 8 yo Gelding
8yo who has been as good as ever this spring, short-headed at Musselburgh (7f, good) then second of 14 to Crimson Spirit at Goodwood (7f, good); last season's two wins came on soft ground; effective here; respected.
Form: 2-0411 D
OR: 85
W: 9st 1lb
Age: 4 yo Gelding
Off the mark at the 18th attempt at Windsor (1m, good to firm) last month and followed up in big field at York (7f, good) eight days later; latest 7lb rise may not stop this thriving 4yo if he handles the softer ground here.
Form: 0-8155
OR: 84
W: 9st 0lb
Age: 4 yo Gelding
Made all at Beverley (7.4f, good to firm) in April on second stable start; respectable efforts when fifth on his next two outings but he needs something extra today and is unproven on slow ground.
Form: 434-07 D
OR: 84
W: 9st 0lb
Age: 5 yo Gelding
Not at the top of his game on either run this year but well backed at Chester last time, when the tight track may not have been ideal; on a handy mark on last season's best form and and he's not discounted.
Form: 162-13 CD
OR: 84
W: 9st 0lb
Age: 4 yo Gelding
Progressive during last season's 3yo campaign and continued the good work when winning at Wolverhampton (7f, AW) in March on his reappearance; another good run when third to Dance In The Storm at Chester (7f, good) last month; versatile ground-wise and might not be far away.
Form: 1-5202
OR: 93
W: 8st 13lb
Age: 3 yo Colt
Lightly raced 3yo who went beyond 6f for the first time when going close at Chester (7.5f, good) last month; has also shown promise on good to soft ground; unexposed at this sort of trip and could be involved.
Form: 8321-5 CD
OR: 82
W: 8st 12lb
Age: 4 yo Filly
Beat her five rivals to make all over C&D (good to soft) last September on final run for Andrew Balding; didn't run badly on stable/seasonal debut at Kempton (6f, AW) in April and could improve for that run; this is more competitive than she's used to but she's not ruled out each-way.
Form: 67-229
OR: 82
W: 8st 12lb
Age: 5 yo Gelding
0-17 since winning in June 2023 on his second start and below par at Newmarket (7f, good) three weeks ago; however, prior to that he was runner-up on his first two starts for this yard (7f, good) and has an each-way shout if he's back on song; has shown promise on good to soft ground.
Form: 35142-
OR: 82
W: 8st 2lb
Age: 3 yo Gelding
Won 2yo maiden at Hamilton (6f, good) last July on third outing and runner-up there (6f, good to soft) in September on second nursery start; that latest form was franked by the winner and every chance he'll continue to improve, but this is a tough starting point to his 3yo year; cheekpieces added.
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Betting Forecast
9/2 Dance In The Storm, 8/1 Rhoscolyn, 20/1 The Angel King, 10/1 Aurora Majesty, 10/1 Veblen Good, 8/1 Crimson Spirit, 14/1 Colombier, 10/1 Mister Bluebird, 7/1 Zarathos, 20/1 A War Eagle, 12/1 Arctic Thunder, 11/1 Pietro, 10/1 Monarchs Gold, 25/1 Musical Angel, 20/1 Son, 25/1 Sunny Smile
Verdict
Topweight DANCE IN THE STORM looked a filly to follow when getting up at Chester on her reappearance and she can make it 2-2 for the campaign. Rhoscolyn won this in 2021 and 2024 and, with this week's rain very much a plus, he is feared most. Another 8yo, Mister Bluebird, arrives in excellent heart and is third choice, while Veblen Good Crimson Spirit and Zarathos are last-time winners who have to be respected.[Ben Hutton]