Conditions: Turf, Good.
Race Type: Nursery Handicap for 2-year-olds rated 0-70.
Pace Projection: Even to fair pace; no out-and-out front-runner declared, but several like to race handily.
Draw Angle: Low to middle draws (1–4) slightly favoured at this trip around Epsom’s turning 7f configuration, especially when pace is even.
Strongest Contenders + Main Dangers + Interesting Outsiders
🏇 Gascony – Proven
- Strongest recent Timeform figure (72) and has performed with credit in a deeper Class 2 event at Glorious Goodwood.
- Racing prominently at Leicester on nursery debut, he shaped like a 7f trip would suit, and that’s now proven.
- Drawn 1, he’s tactically well-positioned and looks to benefit from course’s slight draw bias.
- Main question: 9st 9lb top weight and carrying a 6lb penalty in a tightly knit field.
🏇 Who Is Alice – Progressive
- Got off the mark over this trip at Chepstow and looked suited by the extra distance.
- Softened by a tactical race last time (led, didn’t settle), but the drop into calmer waters suits.
- Has run to a consistent 77 RPR and boasts good tactical speed.
- Major player with David Probert booked.
🏇 Jowalla – Promising
- Has been consistent over 6f and improved for the step up to 7f at Wolverhampton.
- Fast-finishing second latest; shapes like she’ll appreciate a true-run race at 7f.
- Still learning but improving and races off a fair opening mark (69) for nursery debut.
- Pedigree gives mixed stamina signals, but performance supports progression.
🏇 Booziebrunch – Interesting Outsider
- Raced lazily at times but has not been disgraced in either of his last two starts and the application of blinkers may sharpen him up.
- Handles different surfaces and shapes like more to come at this trip.
- Drawn 3 and with Havlin booked, there’s potential upside.
🏇 Sweet Lord – Watchlist
- Consistently rated, and pedigree points to potential at further. Still looks a work in progress.
- Tongue-tie and blinkers retained; the yard is in good form and he’s a possible improver.
- Likely wants further but worth noting if pace collapses.
🏇 Resalah – Exposed
- Raced at a fair level in three maidens but was found out in Class 4 company.
- First try in a nursery and trainer has had a quiet spell.
- Well drawn, but others arrive with more upside.
Runner Scores and Suitability Analysis
- Gascony: 8/10 – Proven at trip and class, handles conditions, drawn well. Big weight only slight negative.
- Who Is Alice: 8/10 – Progressive filly, adaptable style, drop in class a plus.
- Jowalla: 7/10 – Promising nursery debut, may step forward again.
- Booziebrunch: 6.5/10 – Interesting outsider, may improve for blinkers and step up in trip.
- Sweet Lord: 6/10 – Yet to finish closer than 4th but capable; improvement still likely.
- Resalah: 5/10 – Others better treated; may need more time.
Note: Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.
Watch out for in-form sprinters returning quickly; they can be hot.
Each-Way Angles
With 7 runners, no official each-way angle applies under standard terms. However, Booziebrunch and Sweet Lord may appeal in extra place markets or without the favourite scenarios.
Private Tissue Estimate (Horserace Analysis Ratings)
- Gascony – 3/1
- Who Is Alice – 10/3
- Jowalla – 5/1
- Booziebrunch – 13/2
- Sweet Lord – 7/1
- Resalah – 12/1
- Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.
Summary + Professional Punter View (Smart Play)
This looks a competitive but fair Class 5 nursery, with Gascony bringing the strongest handicap form and the best adjusted rating. However, he concedes weight to some likeable improvers. Who Is Alice is unexposed at the trip and profiles as the progressive type to follow in nurseries, especially back down in class.
Smart Play:
- Win Bet: Who Is Alice – Likely more to come, ran a race full of promise at Chepstow and this sets up well tactically.
- Alternative/Forecast Saver: Gascony – Battle-hardened and solid marker at this level; class act but concedes weight.
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