7f, Good to Soft, 3yo+ Handicap (0-100)
16 runners

Race Shape, Pace & Draw Assessment

Epsom’s 7f start gives runners only a short time before the downhill run and bends begin to influence positioning. On easing ground, balance and track experience become more important than raw speed.

Likely pace:

A War Eagle is the most obvious front-runner.

Musical Angel has made all over C&D before and could be prominent.

Crimson Spirit, Dance In The Storm and Zarathos usually race handily.

Hold-up runners include Rhoscolyn, Pietro, Arctic Thunder, Colombier and Son.


Pace view: Likely honest rather than frantic. A well-positioned stalker sitting just behind the leaders may get the ideal trip.

Draw view:

Historically at Epsom over 7f, very wide draws can be awkward unless a horse has tactical speed.

Low-to-middle stalls often offer the easiest route.

Draws 13-16 are not impossible but require either pace or luck.


Notable draw/pace combinations

Dance In The Storm (2): excellent tactical position.

Crimson Spirit (3): ideal.

Pietro (4): ideal.

Arctic Thunder (1): ideal if breaking sharply.

Rhoscolyn (13) and Zarathos (16) must overcome less favourable berths.



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Factor Weighting For This Race

For this particular contest I would place greatest emphasis on:

1. Track suitability (Epsom experience) – very important.


2. Ground suitability (Good to Soft) – more important than usual after rain.


3. Current handicap mark and recent form.


4. Tactical position from draw.


5. Distance suitability.



Less emphasis than usual on pure ratings because Epsom often rewards course specialists and horses suited by its unique configuration.


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Runner-by-Runner Assessment

1. Dance In The Storm (P)

Suitability: Track ?, Distance ✓ Going ✓
Lightly raced and still progressing. Excellent Chester win suggested she remains ahead of her mark. Good-to-soft form already on record and Oisin Murphy booked. Slight concern is temperament as she can race freely.

Score: 9/10 (P)


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2. Rhoscolyn

Suitability: Track ✓✓✓ Distance ✓ Going ✓✓✓
Won this race in 2021 and 2024 and was third in 2025. Rain is a major positive. One of the strongest course-and-race specialists in training. Draw 13 not ideal but he has overcome worse.

Score: 8.5/10


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3. Crimson Spirit

Suitability: Track ✓✓ Distance ✓ Going ?
Dual C&D winner and arrives in winning form. Main question is whether softer conditions blunt his effectiveness.

Score: 8/10


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4. Pietro (p)

Suitability: Track ? Distance ✓ Going ✓
Progressive profile and ran well behind Dance In The Storm at Chester. Consistent and versatile. Looks likely to run his race.

Score: 8/10 (p)


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5. Zarathos (p)

Suitability: Track ? Distance ✓ Going ?
Thriving and arrives seeking a hat-trick. Career-best York win gives him claims. Stall 16 and softer ground are the concerns.

Score: 7.5/10 (p)


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6. Arctic Thunder

Suitability: Track ? Distance ✓ Going ✓
Dangerously well handicapped on best 2025 form. Draw 1 helps. Needs to prove recent runs were merely pipe-openers.

Score: 7/10


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7. Colombier

Suitability: Track ? Distance ✓ Going ✓✓
French slow-ground winner. Interesting second start for the stable after an inadequate comeback. Strong market support would be significant.

Score: 6.5/10


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8. Mister Bluebird

Suitability: Track ✓ Distance ✓ Going ✓✓
Veteran enjoying an excellent season. Effective at Epsom and acts on soft ground. Reliable each-way credentials.

Score: 7.5/10


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9. Aurora Majesty (P)

Suitability: Track ✓✓ Distance ✓ Going ✓
C&D winner who retains upside after only a handful of starts. Gelded since last seen. Long absence is the issue.

Score: 7/10 (P)


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10. The Angel King

Suitability: Track ? Distance ✓ Going ✓✓
French form suggests easier conditions will help. Better run at Chester last time and could step forward again.

Score: 7/10


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11. Monarch’s Gold (P)

Suitability: Track ? Distance ✓ Going ✓
Unexposed 3yo receiving weight from older rivals. Chester second suggested 7f suits. Potential improver.

Score: 7.5/10 (P)


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12. Veblen Good (P)

Suitability: Track ? Distance ✓ Going likely ✓
Interesting profile. Stable debut win suggested there may be more to come. Return to 7f looks logical.

Score: 7/10 (P)


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13. Musical Angel

Suitability: Track ✓✓ Distance ✓ Going ✓✓
C&D winner on good-to-soft. Needs a career best in stronger company but has conditions in her favour.

Score: 6.5/10


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14. Son

Suitability: Track ? Distance ✓ Going ✓
Recent Newmarket run disappointing but prior efforts for current yard were encouraging. Bounce-back possible.

Score: 6/10


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15. Sunny Smile (P)

Suitability: Track ? Distance ? Going ✓
Returns from 275 days off in a deep Class 2. Potential exists but this is a demanding starting point.

Score: 5.5/10 (P)


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16. A War Eagle

Suitability: Track ? Distance ✓ Going ?
Likely pace angle but needs improvement and remains unproven on slower ground.

Score: 5.5/10


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Strongest Contenders

Dance In The Storm (P)

Highest recent level of form.

Chester win suggested she remains ahead of the assessor.

Draw 2 ideal.

Top RPR profile in field.


Rhoscolyn

Outstanding race record.

Conditions absolutely in his favour.

Well treated compared with previous successes.


Crimson Spirit

Multiple C&D wins.

Comes here in winning form.

Draw and pace setup favourable.


Pietro (p)

Consistent improver.

Solid Chester form ties closely into Dance In The Storm.



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Main Dangers

Mister Bluebird – thriving and handles conditions.

Monarch’s Gold (P) – unexposed 3yo receiving weight.

Zarathos (p) – arrives in peak form if handling the ground.

The Angel King – likely to appreciate rain.



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Interesting Outsiders

Aurora Majesty (P)

C&D winner with scope to improve as a gelding. Market support after 234 days off would be noteworthy.

Colombier

French soft-ground form makes him dangerous if settling better second start for current stable.

Veblen Good (P)

Lightly raced and may still have upside for new connections.


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Hold-Up Risk / Luck In Running Types

These could need gaps at the right time around Epsom:

Rhoscolyn

Pietro

Arctic Thunder

Colombier

Son



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Trainer Notes

David O’Meara has excellent historical results in this race via Rhoscolyn.

Andrew Balding continues operating at a high strike-rate and targets valuable handicaps effectively.

James Fanshawe runners often improve with racing and Pietro fits that profile.



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Private Tissue

Horse Tissue

Dance In The Storm 4/1
Rhoscolyn 11/2
Crimson Spirit 7/1
Pietro 8/1
Mister Bluebird 10/1
Monarch’s Gold 10/1
Zarathos 11/1
The Angel King 12/1
Aurora Majesty 14/1
Veblen Good 14/1
Arctic Thunder 14/1
Colombier 16/1
Musical Angel 25/1
Son 28/1
Sunny Smile 33/1
A War Eagle 40/1



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Summary

The race revolves around whether Dance In The Storm can continue her progression from a favourable draw. She has the strongest recent form, remains relatively unexposed and should get a suitable tactical setup.

Rhoscolyn looks the biggest threat. Few horses have a better record in a specific handicap and the return of good-to-soft ground is a major positive.

Among the each-way options, Pietro appeals as a solid, progressive type likely to run another strong race, while Mister Bluebird is exceptionally reliable under today’s conditions.

ChatGPT Smart Plays

Win Bet

Dance In The Storm (9/10) (P)
Progressive profile, ideal draw, strong Chester form and likely still ahead of her mark.

Each-Way Saver

Rhoscolyn (8.5/10)
Course-and-race specialist, proven in conditions, dangerous mark and excellent historical record in this contest.