June 02 / 15.45 Epsom

15.45

Good

Betfred Handicap

  • Prize money: £50960
  • 1m 2f 17y
  • Class 2
  • 11 runners
ITV
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Betfred Handicap

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

14/1 (Won)

  • Win: £14.00
  • Place: £3.50

Form: 2234-0 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Won a Group 2 in 2020, Group 3 in 2021 and Listed race last year; showed plenty for two new yards afterwards last term, including when second in 1m2f Listed race on good to firm at Royal Ascot, but he was well beaten on handicap debut at Newmarket (1m1f) four weeks ago after a gelding operation; blinkered once (for his 2022 win, did it well) and now tries cheekpieces.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(13)

1st Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

14:50 Goodwood

Cadillac

9st 12lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Alice Haynes

slowly into stride, towards rear

20/1

1

(10)

15th Jul 2023

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:10 York

Cadillac

9st 12lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Alice Haynes

Well beaten in Royal Ascot Listed race last time but had an excuse as he was badly hampered early; before that he won a handicap at Epsom (1m2f, good to firm) on Oaks day and is not ruled out; versatile ground-wise in the past; makes yard debut having left George Boughey (remains in same ownership).

16/1

15th

6

(4)

20th Jun 2023

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Cadillac

9st 5lb

J: James McDonald

T: George Boughey

Second in this last year; back to best when producing a really smart handicap performance to defy a big weight at the recent Epsom Derby meeting (1m2f, good to firm); cheekpieces worn on that occasion are retained; not long in the excellent George Boughey yard and should make a bold bid to go one place better than 12 months ago.

9/1

11/2

  • Place: £1.70

Form: 61-494

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Stayed on well to win the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket (1m1f, good) last September; failed to fire on second start this term but bounced straight back when close fourth to Marhaba The Champ at York (good to firm) two weeks ago, coming from the back to show he stays 1m2f; in the mix again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(6)

15th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 15y

Class 3

19:15 Hamilton

Majestic

9st 6lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Jack Channon

Went close when returned to Britain at Goodwood (1m4f, good to firm) last August but towards the rear on all four starts since, latest when back on good ground 13 days ago; coming down the weights but best watched at present.

12/1

7th

4

(6)

2nd May 2026

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

16:00 Goodwood

Majestic

9st 3lb

J: George Bass

T: Jack Channon

Very useful winner at his best; posted a good third over 1m4f here in August but below par on softer ground subsequently; not dismissed off a reduced mark on his return.

25/1

3

(10)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 2f 43y

Class 2

16:25 Doncaster

Majestic

9st 7lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Jack Channon

Well beaten when upped to 13.2f at Newbury last month but showed spark when close third of seven in slowly run race at Goodwood (1m4f, good to firm) previously; his handicap wins have come at 1m1f/1m2f and he seems versatile ground-wise; not ruled out now back down in trip.

20/1

40/1

  • Place: £10.40

Form: 0046-0 D

Last run: 27 days

W: 8st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
All three wins have come first time out (2020, 2021 and 2022) over 1m2f at Yarmouth on good to firm, making all in small fields on last two occasions; failed to repeat the feat in a much more demanding Newmarket race on this year's return, when Toshizou was fourth, which was on softer ground but his ninth in this race last year (albeit off 9lb higher than today) suggests this assignment will also prove too hot.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

11

(2)

10th Oct 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

16:32 Leicester

The Citys Phantom

9st 4lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Richard Spencer

From the front he conceded only late on at Newmarket (1m2f, good to firm) 12 days ago and gets in here off the same mark; his inconsistency is a drawback, however.

10/1

2nd

2

(1)

28th Sep 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 3

17:53 Newmarket

The Citys Phantom

9st 10lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Richard Spencer

Inconsistent and was well beaten at Windsor last month, but prior to that he was a good third at Epsom (1m2f, good to firm) and a repeat of that penultimate form would put him bang there.

8/1

12th

10

(12)

17th Aug 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

20:00 Windsor

The Citys Phantom

8st 7lb

J: Danny Sheehy

T: Richard Spencer

All three wins have come first time out (2020, 2021 and 2022) over 1m2f at Yarmouth on good to firm, making all in small fields on last two occasions; failed to repeat the feat in a much more demanding Newmarket race on this year's return, but third at Epsom on Oaks day was creditable; likely to find this race a bit too competitive.

16/1

4th
10 (7)
Toshizou

8/1

Form: 5-0348

Last run: 15 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 90

Form & Verdict
Trained previous seasons by Joseph O'Brien; not far away on his second or third starts this term and coming from last to fourth in a good 17-runner race at Newmarket (1m1f, good to soft) on second occasion suggests he's worth another go at this trip, over which he ran creditably once in Ireland; below form latest outing and that was his first run on good to firm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(1)

12th Aug 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:40 Ayr

Toshizou

9st 12lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

His only win was back in 2020 in a Tipperary maiden; has threatened a few times since and wasn't beaten all that far at York last time, but others appeal more for the win; tries cheekpieces.

13/2

8th

5

(1)

12th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:30 York

Toshizou

9st 12lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Only win in 23 attempts was at Tipperary on second juvenile start (7f, good to yielding) when with Joseph O'Brien; some fair form since, notably when third over C&D off 4lb higher in May (good); poor run over C&D (good to soft) latest.

10/1

13th

7

(1)

15th Jun 2024

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 3

13:50 York

Toshizou

9st 13lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Roger Fell & Sean Murray

Acts on soft; beaten all 22 times since winning in 2020 on second start; creditable third in two of six races this season, including in 20-runner C&D race on penultimate outing; case can be made but not the percentage call.

18/1

Form: 233-74 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Largely progressive 2022 included a close third to Majestic in the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket and he was back near that form behind Honiton at that same course two weeks ago; stays 1m2f well; last seen on good to firm last April when beaten a neck (much better form since); competitive mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(9)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

15:55 Goodwood

Dual Identity

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: William Knight

Won at Sandown (1m, soft) last May and close second of 17 at York (1m2f, good to firm) in August; made a satisfactory reappearance when seventh at 40-1 in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m) five weeks ago and is probably effective at this track, so he's one to consider.

12/1

3rd

2

(9)

3rd May 2025

Good

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

15:55 Goodwood

Dual Identity

9st 8lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: William Knight

Won at Sandown (1m, soft) last May and close second of 17 at York (1m2f, good to firm) in August; made a satisfactory reappearance when seventh at 40-1 in the Lincoln at Doncaster (1m) five weeks ago and is probably effective at this track, so he's one to consider.

12/1

7

(1)

29th Mar 2025

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

15:35 Doncaster

Dual Identity

9st 7lb

J: Brandon Wilkie

T: William Knight

Below best on first and final starts last season but enjoyed a good campaign, winning at Sandown (1m, soft) in May and close second of 17 at York (1m2f, good to soft) in August; should be suited by a strongly run race at this trip and he's an each-way contender if fully tuned up for his return.

25/1

Form: 4218-1 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Well below form on his first and last starts last season, given wind surgery after both of them; surged back better than ever when getting up in the final strides at York (1m2f, good to firm; Majestic close up) two weeks ago and has gone up just 2lb since; tongue tied first time today; after just six races, he may well be open to further improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

3rd Jun 2026

Good

2m 0f 167y

Class 5

17:00 Newton Abbot

Marhaba The Champ

12st 0lb

J: Sean Bowen

T: Sophie Leech

Largely disappointing for this stable under both codes and, after a brief respite on the Flat at Newbury in April, he refused to come out of the stalls at York last month, both times in this headgear; best hurdle effort when runner-up at Newcastle (2m1f, good) in October offers some hope on handicap switch, but current form is a clear concern.

11/2

7

(14)

13th May 2026

Good

1m 3f 188y

Class 4

17:15 York

Marhaba The Champ

9st 4lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Sophie Leech

Formerly useful for Kevin Ryan but was sold last July and has been comfortably held since on the Flat and over hurdles; this tongue-tie (tried once in 2023) returned on latest outing, along with first-time hood; 17lb below his peak mark, but no win since he scored twice at York in 2023.

33/1

9th

5

(16)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

16:55 Newbury

Marhaba The Champ

9st 6lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Sophie Leech

Formerly useful on the Flat for Kevin Ryan but was sold last July and has been comfortably held since on the Flat and over hurdles; tongue-tie (tried once in 2023) returns, plus first-time hood.

50/1

11/1

Form: 22-812 CD

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won here last September (1m4f, heavy) and this April (1m2f, soft), while he also went close over C&D on good ground last September; second off this mark at Goodwood four weeks ago confirmed he's been in career-best form, but there would be more for him to prove if the ground is good to firm.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

5

(4)

2nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:45 Epsom

Bad Company

9st 2lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Jim Boyle

Won here last September (1m4f, heavy) and this April (1m2f, soft), while he also went close over C&D on good ground last September; second off this mark at Goodwood four weeks ago confirmed he's been in career-best form, but there would be more for him to prove if the ground is good to firm.

11/1

2nd

2

(7)

6th May 2023

Good To Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 2

15:05 Goodwood

Bad Company

9st 9lb

J: Benoit De La Sayette

T: Jim Boyle

Looked on a tough mark at Epsom last time but he won decisively under a positive ride on soft ground he loves; 5lb higher for this and it's hard to believe everything will pan out quite so favourably once more.

13/2

1st

7

(5)

25th Apr 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 17y

Class 2

15:00 Epsom

Bad Company

8st 12lb

J: Pat Cosgrave

T: Jim Boyle

Respectable fourth in this contest last year and was in good form (won/second) back here in September; weighted to the hilt now, however, and his Doncaster reappearance was poor having raced freely.

10/1

25/1

Form: 150-79 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 0lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Something seemed amiss at York last August on final 4yo run and, following wind surgery, he's been well beaten on soft ground this season over C&D and at Chester; last season's peak efforts were on good going but he did win on soft in 2021, so the ground this term may not be an excuse; on a good mark if back to his best.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

3

(12)

17th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 4

16:52 Southwell (AW)

Lord Protector

10st 3lb

J: Kaiya Fraser

T: Ruth Carr

Disappointed when last in action and remains on a losing streak but competes off new career-low mark here and will be suited by the trip-and-surface combination; hooded for first time; can't be ruled out.

10/1

7th

1

(2)

2nd Aug 2025

Good

1m 5f 16y

Class 4

19:00 Hamilton

Lord Protector

10st 2lb

J: James Sullivan

T: Ruth Carr

Hasn't won for a while but his turn will come and a tactical race didn't suit when third to Spanish Hustle here recently.

7/1

3rd

1

(1)

18th Jul 2025

Good

1m 4f 15y

Class 4

19:45 Hamilton

Lord Protector

10st 2lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Ruth Carr

No win since taking a Class 2 at Sandown (1m2f) in July 2023; kicked off 2025 with a pleasing AW effort at Newcastle (runner-up from 4lb higher) but unable to build positively on that since; latest 1m4f Ripon third (Haptics sixth) respectable but the wait for another win may go on.

9/2

OUR TIP

11/1

Form: 942-69

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Handy mark judged on best efforts, such as last season's fourth here in the Derby (1m4f, good) and his Group 3 fourth at York (1m1f, good to firm); handicap debut at York two weeks ago was a lot better than reappearance but he was nevertheless only ninth of 13 to Marhaba The Champ, so needs to step up markedly again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

27th May 2026

Good

2m 1f 46y

Class 4

18:08 Cartmel

Masekela

11st 4lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

Low-grade Flat performer who joined this yard for £5,000; 25-1 and tailed off in a good-ground maiden at Hexham.

14/1

6th

2

2nd May 2026

Good

2m 0f 48y

Class 4

17:45 Hexham

Masekela

11st 4lb

J: Charlotte Jones

T: James Moffatt

On a long losing run on the Flat but he ran creditably when last seen, finishing second at Redcar (1m2f, good; final outing for Tim Easterby) in October; changed hands for £5,000 soon after; going hurdling rather late but not without hope.

10/1

4

(2)

17th Oct 2025

Good

1m 2f 1y

Class 6

17:05 Redcar

Masekela

11st 1lb

J: Miss Amy Collier

T: Tim Easterby

Runner-up in similar event at Ripon in August and has place claims if back to that form; far from certain to go one better, however, with losing sequence stretching back four years.

13/2

10th
4 (10)

7/2

Form: 310-41 D

Last run: 14 days

W: 9st 3lb

4 yo

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Disappointing on handicap debut but that was at Royal Ascot and he was not seen again last term; subsequently gelded; resumed progress when winning a six-runner handicap at Newmarket (1m2f, good; acts on good to firm) two weeks ago, with Dual Identity in fourth; up 4lb but could have more to give.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found
11th
1 (9)
Savvy Victory

7/1

Form: 153-52 D BF

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 106

Form & Verdict
Has hit a new level with his two runs (on AW and soft) this season, both over about 1m2f and latterly when second of nine off 2lb lower at Chester, which boosts hopes that he will handle this track; his last run on good to firm (May 2022) looked good at the time; respected.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(11)

21st Apr 2026

Good To Soft

1m 2f 5y

Class 2

15:27 Pontefract

Savvy Victory

9st 7lb

J: Oisin Orr

T: S Woods

His form deteriorated last year and he went 0-9; however, he's dropped down the weights and could improve for his recent comeback in a Listed race at Kempton (fourth); this C&D winner is not ruled out.

15/2

4th

5

(1)

6th Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 1f 219y

Class 1

14:55 Kempton (AW)

Savvy Victory

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: S Woods

Useful handicapper on his day including on AW, but unplaced in all nine starts since reappearing a year ago and would be receiving weight from all his rivals in a handicap.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £76.80
Straight Forecast £51.54
Tricast £1961.39
Trifecta £2303.40

Selections

POSTDATA:

Honiton

SPOTLIGHT:

Marhaba The Champ

Daily Mirror:

Majestic

The Guardian:

Bad Company

RP RATINGS:

Masekela

The Times:

Dual Identity

D Express:

Toshizou

The Star:

Majestic

NEWMARKET:

Honiton

Telegraph:

Honiton

Daily Record:

Honiton

TOPSPEED:

Marhaba The Champ

Daily Mail:

Bad Company