1. Race Title & Conditions + Pace & Draw Angles

Race Title & Conditions

• Race: Betfred ‘Bet Builder’ Handicap (Class 5)
• Date: 15 August 2025
• Trip: 1 mile 113 yards
• Surface: Turf (Good forecast)
• Eligibility: 3-y-o horses rated 53–72 (plus ≤52)
• Weight range: 9st 9lb max – 8st 4lb min

Pace Scenario
This looks a muddling affair for pace. Most runners typically race off the pace or settle midfield:

• Coma Cluster, Sonic Pioneer, and Makes Me Wonder all show a tendency to be held up or sit behind the pace.
• Play Me tends to race mid-division but lacks early speed.
• Dalmally does not lead either.

The absence of an obvious front-runner raises the potential for a tactical race with no gallop. Race could be run at a crawl before a sprint, favouring anything able to travel and quicken—preferably with track craft.

Draw Angles
At this extended mile trip at Epsom, low draws (1–3) can offer an edge in slowly run contests due to inside positioning on turning tracks.

• Positive draws: Coma Cluster (1), Sonic Pioneer (2), Play Me (3)
• Neutral: Dalmally (4), Makes Me Wonder (5)

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2. Strongest Contenders, Dangers, Outsiders & Key Trends

Strongest Contenders

• Makes Me Wonder (OR 57)
  A gelding in form, placing in three of his last four starts. Recorded a career-best RPR of 79 last time over 8f, pulling clear with the winner. Shapes as though 9f will suit better. Trainer David Simcock is hitting form (2-4-13 last 14 days). Progressive.
• Sonic Pioneer (OR 69)
  Consistent across turf and AW, running to a solid 79 RPR two starts back at Haydock over 8f. Showed he stays 8.5f on AW. Holds his form well, and his strong-finishing style looks suited to today’s pace profile. Progressive.

Main Dangers

• Play Me (OR 57)
  RPR of 87 at Salisbury and 77 on multiple occasions; patchy form but capable of strong efforts, particularly when the race develops late. Won’t mind the track, and form at Epsom (3rd in July) reads well. Proven, but with inconsistency.
• Dalmally (OR 70)
  Holds form well but has reached a ceiling. Recent Class 3 try wasn’t bad, but he lacks upward momentum. Carries top weight and doesn’t necessarily improve for this trip. Proven, but flattening profile.

Interesting Outsiders

• Coma Cluster (OR 69)
  RPR 80 early season, but profile has dipped since; stamina for this trip unproven. Blinkers applied last time, dropped to 7f but didn’t see it out. Not fully exposed, but inconsistent. Promising, but reservations linger.

Timeform Comments & Trends

• Dalmally: “can probably do better” – gelded before reappearance; no kick-on since.
• Coma Cluster: “shapes like she’ll appreciate a stiffer test” – gets that today, but still a stamina query.
• Makes Me Wonder: “yet to win but can make amends” – trainer form, consistent, stepping up.
• Sonic Pioneer: “remains open to progress” – ideal pace/trip combo today.
• Play Me: “ran on inside final furlong at Epsom” – track form positive, just needs consistency.

Hold-Up Risk:

• Sonic Pioneer, Coma Cluster, Makes Me Wonder – all tend to be ridden patiently. With a muddling pace, they will need a well-judged ride.

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3. Runner Scores & Suitability

Runner	Score	Suitability Summary
Makes Me Wonder	8/10	Well suited to trip, ground, and race shape; peaking at the right time.
Sonic Pioneer	7/10	Strong-finisher in a pace-suited race; form solid.
Play Me	7/10	RPR standout; mixed efforts, but handles track. Watch the market.
Dalmally	6/10	Solid but limited; top weight not ideal; flat profile.
Coma Cluster	6/10	Could benefit from trip but is hard to trust; stamina unproven.

• 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.

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4. Each-Way Angles

Not applicable – only 5 runners.

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5. Private Tissue Estimate

Runner	Estimated Odds
Makes Me Wonder	7/2
Sonic Pioneer	9/2
Play Me	6/1
Dalmally	13/2
Coma Cluster	15/2

• Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start.

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6. Summary & Smart Play

Summary
A small, tightly rated field lacking a natural front-runner sets up a tactical affair. Makes Me Wonder brings consistency and upward form, while Sonic Pioneer is tactically suited with staying-on ability. Play Me holds a high RPR but needs to bounce back.

Smart Play

• Win: Makes Me Wonder – peaking late, trip a positive, progressive profile.
• Saver: Sonic Pioneer – shaping like a stayer, should be suited by a tactical tempo.