Ground: Good (Good to Firm in places) | Pace Forecast: Even | Draw Bias: Neutral to mild mid-stall edge

The Great Metropolitan returns with a competitive 11-runner field and plenty of depth. Epsom’s unique undulations mean course form, balance, and tactical positioning are vital — but so too is fitness and intent, especially early in the turf season.

Strongest Contender: MILLER SPIRIT

Trainer: Gary & Josh Moore | Jockey: Tom Queally | Draw: 4
Timeform TFR: 109 | Last 3 Flat runs: 1–1–6 (Doncaster NHcap)

Course-specialist who thrived last season with five wins, including two at Epsom (one of them over C&D).

Mixed hurdling campaign since but returns here fresh, and has form suggesting he can go well off a break.

Well-handicapped if returning to late-2024 peak, and trainer’s only runner on the card.

Timeform comment: “Good-topped gelding… far more straightforward last year.”


> Verdict: Best on fast ground, goes fresh, trainer/jockey combo likely aiming this — this feels like a “go” day.




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Main Dangers:

SMALL FRY (Gary & Josh Moore | J: Ashley Lewis (7))

Draw: 9 | TFR: 107

Lightly raced, progressive 4yo who won here over C&D and followed up at Chester last season.

Was turned over at short odds at Catterick, but travelled strongly — traded at 50% or less BF SP, suggesting fitness was there.

The 7lb claim is interesting here, as is his pace-versatility and solid race-fit profile.


> GO signal: Marked trainer intent with dual entries, solid form, right trip, C&D win – big EW player.




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ARQOOB (Lucy Wadham | J: David Probert)

TimeWise Top Ranked 🏇🏇

Draw: 10 | TFR: 106

Comes here in rude health, having quickened smartly to win at Kempton last time.

Can handle turf and ran a stormer LTO off similar mark.

Up 3lbs but OR 90 is workable, and trainer often targets early-season handicaps.


> Who’s Trying? Definitely on a go-day; stable in form, and the horse looks revitalised.




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Dangerous Outsider: ASGARD’S CAPTAIN

Trainer: Dylan Cunha | Jockey: David Egan | Draw: 11 | TFR: 108

Newcastle regular, but has several strong efforts over 12f, including a win off similar mark.

Strong pace-map match here — hold-up types do well in this race historically.

Finished mid-pack at Doncaster but wasn’t knocked about and was hampered — this could have been a prep.


> Verdict: Not the classiest in here, but shapes like one laid out for a spring turf target. Watch the late market moves.




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Others Worth Mentioning:

KOTARI (Gary & Josh Moore) – Back from hurdles, ran below form in the November Handicap, but ran 5th over C&D earlier in the year. Might be playing second fiddle to the stable’s other two (more fancied) entries.

CARNIVAL DAY (Jim Boyle) – Will be popular but has a stamina query at 12f here. Eye-catching return at Brighton, but could be a tight fitness tuner.

DASHINWHITESARGENT (Hughie Morrison) – Handles the track, but based on profile looks a handicapper building back toward a summer target, not necessarily primed for this.



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Who’s Trying? Who’s Not? – Trainer Patterns & Signals

TRYING:

Gary & Josh Moore: 3 runners, two with form over C&D, 1 jockey booking (Queally) suggests Miller Spirit is first string. They’ve had a winner in this race in the past 5 years (Sir Rumi, 2023).

Lucy Wadham (Arqoob): Strong 24-day turnaround off a good win. Rare Epsom runner, but this feels targeted.

Dylan Cunha (Asgard’s Captain): Yard placement improving. This horse keeps finding, and draw/pace fits well.


Possibly NOT Today:

Roberto Escobarr (Ian Williams) – Returning after 192 days, out of sorts in 2024 and trainer with poor recent record in the race (0/4).

Tryfan (Harry Charlton) – May need this; profile more progressive types over further.

Sugar Road (Andrew Balding) – No turf win yet, shaped green last time. Likely not wound up for this.



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Conclusion:

This has the feel of a targeted comeback for MILLER SPIRIT, who has ideal track form and should go very close if back to 2024 levels. SMALL FRY is second string on paper but could be better suited to the pace map, while ARQOOB arrives race-fit and progressive. ASGARD’S CAPTAIN is your “dark one” — ideally drawn for his running style and not one to dismiss at a price.