TimeWise Chronicles

Epsom; This analysis addresses your query by detailing all the Epsom races in chronological order, using the TimeWise Master (TWM) ratings to identify the Top Two selections in each race.

·

1.45 Betfred ‘Double Delight’ Nursery Handicap (Class 4)

7f 3y, 2yo, GOOD

RankHorseTWM Total Rating
1Ohara282
2Galileo Island (IRE)272

Recent Form & Comments

  • Ohara: Has shown clear promise in his 7f attempts at novice level. He was gelded after a lesser effort over 1m last time and is expected to be open to progress now handicapping and returning to a shorter distance.
  • Galileo Island (IRE): His record of 83321 reflects steady progress. He made all for a 4l success in a Chelmsford maiden (7f, AW) recently, and that form has received a couple of boosts. He is listed as shortlisted.

Spotlight Verdict

Most of the runners are switching to handicap level for the first time. Particularly interesting is CRYSTAL PIER whose latest effort represents a solid piece of C&D form. Improving Galileo Island is second pick, ahead of Yy Nation.

Race Statistics

  • Age Groups: For 2yo.
  • Fate of Favourites: 411625102.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): K R Burke 1-0-3, Ralph Beckett 1-1-2, Brian Meehan 0-1-3, Marco Botti 0-1-1, Simon & Ed Crisford 0-1-1.

Assessment of Top Two

  • Ohara (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Showed promise at 7f novice level; open to progress on handicap debut.
    • Weaknesses: Last effort over 1m was lesser.
    • Suitability: Suited by returning to 7f and trying handicapping.
  • Galileo Island (IRE) (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Highly progressive recent form, culminating in a strong win with boosted form.
    • Weaknesses: Needs to transfer strong AW form (Chelmsford) to turf handicap company.
    • Suitability: Considered an “Improving” horse.

2.20 Betfred Derby ‘Wild Card’ EBF Conditions Stakes (Class 2)

1m 113y (approx. 1m 1/2f), 2yo, GOOD

RankHorseTWM Total Rating
1Shayem (IRE)352
2Glacius317

Recent Form & Comments

  • Shayem (IRE): Showed notable form on good ground at Haydock, winning over 7f before running well behind the two market leaders in a 1m Listed contest. He sets the standard and may improve even further.
  • Glacius: Has shown fairly useful form in 1m contests, including a win at Newmarket (good to firm). He finished only one place behind Shayem when upped to Listed grade at Haydock (good) and is set for an interesting rematch.

Spotlight Verdict

Shayem sets the form standard, albeit not by much as Glacius has only a small amount to find with that rival on Haydock Listed running. Futurity entry Alfaraz is an interesting alternative and Gizmo (second choice) is another once-raced contender who looks open to progress.

Race Statistics

  • Age Groups: For 2yo.
  • Fate of Favourites: 35311432.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Andrew Balding 1-1-5, K R Burke 1-0-1.

Assessment of Top Two

  • Shayem (IRE) (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Sets the form standard; potential for further improvement; strong recent Listed form.
    • Weaknesses: None stated.
    • Suitability: Highly respected and expected to perform well.
  • Glacius (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Has good form and finished very close to Shayem previously.
    • Weaknesses: Needs to reverse the form with the top-rated rival.
    • Suitability: Expected to be highly competitive in the rematch.

2.55 Betfred ‘Pickyourpunt’ Novice Stakes (Class 4)

1m 2f 17y, 3-4yo, GOOD

RankHorseTWM Total Rating
1Gamrai295
2Alcarath (IRE)256

Recent Form & Comments

  • Gamrai: Successful from the front at Windsor (1m2f, good to firm) on a belated reappearance. This twice-raced colt looks likely to progress further and is respected under a 7lb penalty.
  • Alcarath (IRE): Showed promise on debut, despite clear greenness. He subsequently ran well behind an odds-on favourite at Salisbury (1m2f, good to soft) in August. He is one of the main form contenders.

Spotlight Verdict

Gosden colt GAMRAI is taken to defy a penalty for his reappearance success. Alcarath is the biggest danger on form.

Race Statistics

  • Age Groups: For 3-4yo.
  • Fate of Favourites: Not provided in sources.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Not provided in sources.

Assessment of Top Two

  • Gamrai (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Recent winner at the trip; strong trainer/jockey combination (Gosden/Murphy); expected to progress.
    • Weaknesses: Carries a 7lb penalty.
    • Suitability: Highly suited and predicted to overcome the penalty.
  • Alcarath (IRE) (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Ran well on his second start at 1m2f; noted as the biggest danger on form.
    • Weaknesses: Showed clear greenness on debut.
    • Suitability: Main form contender.

3.30 Geoff Lewis Apprentices’ Derby Handicap (Class 4)

1m 4f 6y, 3yo+, GOOD

RankHorseTWM Total Rating
1Give It To Me Oj345
2Team Player289

Recent Form & Comments

  • Give It To Me Oj: Progressive over hurdles in the 2024-25 campaign. Returned to the Flat this month to make all for a comfortable success in a C&D contest (soft), a form which has received boosts since. He is likely to have more to offer under this code and is strongly respected.
  • Team Player: Has a strong record (13231) for his current stable, bookended by 1m4f wins at Chester (good) and Lingfield (AW). This 3yo may be capable of further improvement and holds solid claims.

Spotlight Verdict

Being still well handicapped judged on hurdles ability and open to further progress under this code, GIVE IT TO ME OJ (nap) looks capable of following up his solid C&D success. Team Player (second choice) and Naasma are respected in their current form.

Race Statistics

  • Age Groups: 3yo 3-4-18, 4yo+ 5-10-52.
  • Fate of Favourites: 10233111.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Gary & Josh Moore 1-0-2, Pat Phelan 1-0-2, Alan King 0-1-2, Ian Williams 0-1-2, Jonathan Portman 0-1-2.

Assessment of Top Two

  • Give It To Me Oj (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Recent C&D winner; highly progressive under Flat code; expected to be very well handicapped due to hurdles form.
    • Weaknesses: None stated.
    • Suitability: Highly suited and selected as the nap.
  • Team Player (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Excellent recent winning form (13231); potential for further improvement; proven at 1m4f.
    • Weaknesses: None of the recent wins listed were on Epsom turf.
    • Suitability: Holds solid claims and is the second choice.

4.05 Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap (Class 3)

1m 2f 17y, 3yo+, GOOD

RankHorseTWM Total Rating
1Fantasy Believer (IRE)361
2Lord Melbourne (IRE)327

Recent Form & Comments

  • Fantasy Believer (IRE): Retains ability aged eight, bagging a Class 2 prize at Doncaster (1m2f, soft) recently. He is back on a career-high mark but drops back in grade and may well remain competitive.
  • Lord Melbourne (IRE): A progressive and useful sort, but he lacks recent match practice, having been absent since winning the November Handicap (1m4f, soft) last year.

Spotlight Verdict

Consistent maiden CRIMINAL looks interesting and may be able to open his account. Fellow 3yo Kimeko Glory is second pick. Carnival Day and Fantasy Believer may prove best of the older runners, while useful Lord Melbourne faces an inadequate test on his belated reappearance.

Race Statistics

  • Age Groups: 3yo 4-3-18, 4yo+ 4-8-44.
  • Fate of Favourites: 00145412.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Jim Boyle 0-1-2, Ralph Beckett 0-1-3.

Assessment of Top Two

  • Fantasy Believer (IRE) (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Recent Class 2 winner; dropping in grade; high TWM rating; expected to be among the best older runners.
    • Weaknesses: Racing off a career-high mark.
    • Suitability: Expected to remain competitive at this trip.
  • Lord Melbourne (IRE) (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Useful and progressive performer when last seen, winning a significant 1m4f handicap.
    • Weaknesses: Belated reappearance (absent since last year); the drop back to a sharp 1m2f is inadequate for him.
    • Suitability: Highly questionable suitability for the trip/reappearance conditions.

4.40 Betfred ‘The Classic Bookmaker’ Handicap (Class 4)

1m 113y (approx. 1m 1/2f), 3yo, GOOD

RankHorseTWM Total Rating
1Hot Cash297
2Falmouth Lad290

Recent Form & Comments

  • Hot Cash: Has possibilities. He won off just 1lb lower at Carlisle (1m, soft) in his most recent attempt at this grade. His Epsom record is 1-1 (debut performance), though he has been below par in better races lately.
  • Falmouth Lad: A low-mileage 3yo with a record of 211 since being dropped to 1m. His wins came at Newmarket (good to firm) and Kempton (AW). He is upped in class but looks open to further progress at this trip.

Spotlight Verdict

In the retained cheekpieces and kept to this C&D, JIFF’S ARMY (TWM #4, total 282) holds particularly strong claims. Improving Falmouth Lad is feared most.

Race Statistics

  • Age Groups: For 3yo.
  • Fate of Favourites: 201625102.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Andrew Balding 1-3-7, Stuart Williams 1-0-2, Jack Channon 0-1-1.

Assessment of Top Two

  • Hot Cash (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Epsom C&D winner (1-1 record); proven winning form in this grade.
    • Weaknesses: Below par in better quality races recently.
    • Suitability: Strong course form makes him a possibility.
  • Falmouth Lad (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Highly progressive (record of 211); open to further improvement; viewed as the most feared rival by Spotlight.
    • Weaknesses: Upped in class; recent wins were not on Epsom turf.
    • Suitability: Appears suited by the trip and expected to progress.

5.15 Betfred Handicap (Class 4)

7f 3y, 3yo+, GOOD

RankHorseTWM Total Rating
1Eminency (IRE)290
2Kisskodi (IRE)285

Recent Form & Comments

  • Eminency (IRE): Edged ahead close home at Windsor (6f, good) recently, finally adding to his 2yo success over the same C&D.
  • Kisskodi (IRE): Justified favouritism in a similar event over C&D (good to soft) this month. He has achieved four wins from his last six starts, and his Epsom record stands at 2-3. He is respected and possibly hasn’t reached his ceiling yet.

Spotlight Verdict

Being unexposed at this trip and possibly capable of further progress, MUSICAL ANGEL (TWM #3, total 273) is an interesting alternative to the C&D winners. Kisskodi, Silver Trumpet and Marlay Park warrant respect, in that order of preference.

Race Statistics

  • Age Groups: 3yo 2-7-24, 4yo+ 7-11-67.
  • Fate of Favourites: 331010241.
  • Trainer Records (w-pl-r): Jim Boyle 2-6-16, Stuart Williams 0-1-3.

Assessment of Top Two

  • Eminency (IRE) (TWM #1):
    • Strengths: Recent winner, edging ahead close home.
    • Weaknesses: Not an obvious type to follow up, especially returning to a different trip (7f) and track.
    • Suitability: Questionable suitability for returning to 7f at Epsom.
  • Kisskodi (IRE) (TWM #2):
    • Strengths: Strong C&D form (2-3 Epsom record); impressive recent strike rate (4/6 wins); respected C&D winner.
    • Weaknesses: None stated, generally highly regarded.
    • Suitability: Highly suited to the C&D and remains of interest.

Leave a comment

Get updates

From art exploration to the latest archeological findings, all here in our weekly newsletter.

Subscribe