Class 2 Handicap | 5f | 3yo | Good ground | 16 runners

This is one of the most unusual 5f handicaps run all season. Epsom’s downhill sprint course places a premium on balance, early speed, handling the camber and obtaining a clear run. The draw has been fluid historically, but pace remains the dominant factor.

Pace Angle

There is abundant early speed:

Naana’s Shadow

Shes Got A Brother

Hanney Girl

Alfa Duplicate

Rosie Frith

Chairmanfourtimes


All like racing prominently or forcing the pace.

With so many forward-goers, this looks likely to be run at a very strong gallop. That should create opportunities for horses able to track the speed rather than lead it.

Draw Angle

The Epsom Dash often produces changing draw patterns depending on where the pace develops. With pace spread across the track, I would not overemphasise draw this year.

Notable positions:

Low: Alfa Duplicate (1), Artista (2), Hanney Girl (3), Wedonttelllies (4)

Middle: Naana’s Shadow (8), Chairmanfourtimes (9), Henrythenate (10)

High: One And Gone (11), USS Charleston (12), Call Margot (13), Riley Rocks (14), Shes Got A Brother (15), Proof (16)


Given the spread of pace, obtaining cover and a clear lane may prove more important than stall position itself.


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Weighing The Race Correctly

For this race I would place the greatest emphasis on:

1. Track suitability


2. Pace suitability


3. 5f speed


4. Ability to handle large fields


5. Current handicap mark


6. Draw



This is not a race where pure ratings alone decide matters. Epsom’s unique downhill 5f often rewards horses with the right tactical profile.


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Runner Assessments

1. Naana’s Shadow (8)

Suitability: Going 9/10 | Distance 9/10 | Track 7/10

Progressive front-running filly who ran very well in a strong York sprint. Proven in big fields and has tactical speed. Oisin Murphy is a major booking.

Rating: 8.5/10 (p)


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2. Shes Got A Brother (15)

Suitability: Going 8/10 | Distance 9/10 | Track 6/10

Open to improvement after just three starts. York run was excellent on turf debut. However, this track asks a different question and lack of experience is a concern.

Rating: 8/10 (P)


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3. Wedonttelllies (4)

Suitability: Going 9/10 | Distance 9/10 | Track 8/10

Produced a highly impressive Goodwood win. Similar undulating track characteristics make that form especially appealing. Hughes yard flying and cheekpieces have helped.

Strong pace should suit.

Rating: 9/10 (p)


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4. Hanney Girl (3)

Suitability: Going 8/10 | Distance 9/10 | Track 7/10

Consistent but appears vulnerable from current mark. Likely to be involved early but may struggle late.

Rating: 7/10


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5. Riley Rocks (14)

Suitability: Going 8/10 | Distance 7/10 | Track 7/10

Unlucky at Goodwood and remains capable of better. Hold-up style creates obvious traffic risks in a race of this nature.

Rating: 7.5/10 (p)

Hold-up risk: HIGH


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6. Alfa Duplicate (1)

Suitability: Going 7/10 | Distance 9/10 | Track 6/10

Tough front-runner progressing through the grades. Faces a major class rise and Epsom is very different from Beverley.

Rating: 7/10 (p)


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7. Coyy (6)

Suitability: Going 9/10 | Distance 9/10 | Track 8/10

Good Windsor winner and then shaped well behind Wedonttelllies after a slow start. Strong pace should help.

Interesting each-way profile.

Rating: 8/10 (p)


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8. One And Gone (11)

Suitability: Going 8/10 | Distance 8/10 | Track 8/10

Consistent in better races than this throughout the spring. Strong pace setup could suit ideally.

One of the more reliable runners.

Rating: 8/10


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9. USS Charleston (12)

Suitability: Going 6/10 | Distance 8/10 | Track 6/10

Soft-ground Yarmouth winner. Better ground may blunt his edge.

Rating: 6.5/10


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10. Rosie Frith (7)

Suitability: Going 7/10 | Distance 8/10 | Track 6/10

Irish raider with quality juvenile form but has a difficult opening mark and arrives off a poor reappearance.

Rating: 6/10


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11. Proof (16)

Suitability: Going 6/10 | Distance 7/10 | Track 6/10

Looks better when stamina comes into play. This sharp Epsom 5f may happen too quickly.

Rating: 5.5/10


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12. Temple Of Athena (5)

Suitability: Going 8/10 | Distance 9/10 | Track 7/10

Better than recent form suggests. Return to handicap company and 5f is a positive.

Possible outsider.

Rating: 6.5/10


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13. Call Margot (13)

Suitability: Going 7/10 | Distance 9/10 | Track 6/10

Needs to bounce back from disappointing York effort.

Rating: 5.5/10


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14. Chairmanfourtimes (9)

Suitability: Going 6/10 | Distance 9/10 | Track 6/10

Listed winner as a juvenile but current form leaves him with plenty to prove.

Rating: 5.5/10


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15. Artista (2)

Suitability: Going 7/10 | Distance 8/10 | Track 5/10

Recent form poor and difficult to recommend.

Rating: 3/10


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16. Henrythenate (10)

Suitability: Going 7/10 | Distance 8/10 | Track 7/10

Ran respectably at Chester but this is considerably stronger.

Rating: 5/10


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Strongest Contenders

Wedonttelllies (p)

The standout profile. Goodwood form looks highly relevant given the undulations and he won with authority despite not everything going perfectly. Still looks ahead of his mark.

Naana’s Shadow

Strong York handicap form, proven pace, proven big-field experience and Oisin Murphy booked.

Shes Got A Brother (P)

Unexposed and open to more improvement than most. If handling Epsom, could easily outrun current rating.


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Main Dangers

Coyy (p)

One And Gone

Riley Rocks (p)



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Interesting Outsiders

Temple Of Athena

Listed form earlier this season is stronger than it first appears. Return to handicap company could spark a revival.

Henrythenate

Chester run suggested some ability remains and Epsom may suit.


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Timeform/Profile Notes

Progressive (p):

Wedonttelllies

Naana’s Shadow

Coyy

Riley Rocks

Alfa Duplicate


Promising (P):

Shes Got A Brother


Hold-up horses needing luck:

Riley Rocks

One And Gone

Coyy (if slowly away)



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Private Tissue

1. Wedonttelllies – 13%


2. Naana’s Shadow – 12%


3. Shes Got A Brother – 11%


4. Coyy – 9%


5. One And Gone – 8%


6. Riley Rocks – 8%


7. Hanney Girl – 6%


8. Alfa Duplicate – 6%


9. USS Charleston – 5%


10. Temple Of Athena – 4%


11. Rosie Frith – 4%


12. Chairmanfourtimes – 4%


13. Henrythenate – 3%


14. Proof – 3%


15. Call Margot – 3%


16. Artista – 1%




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Summary

A fiercely competitive Epsom Dash where pace looks guaranteed. The race may be set up for a horse sitting just behind the speed rather than one involved in the early battle. Goodwood winner Wedonttelllies has arguably the most suitable profile for this unique test and remains open to improvement. Naana’s Shadow brings strong York handicap form and should be competitive throughout, while Shes Got A Brother is the most interesting unexposed runner in the field.

ChatGPT Smart Plays

WIN

Wedonttelllies (9/10) (p)

Proven on an undulating track

Strong pace setup

Progressive profile

Trainer in excellent form


EACH-WAY SAVER

Coyy (8/10) (p)

Strong recent handicap form

Likely race shape suits

Better than bare Goodwood result

Attractive profile in a 16-runner sprint


Market watch remains advisable on Shes Got A Brother (P), who could still have considerably more to offer after only three starts.