June 03 / 16.30 Epsom

16.30

Good

Rio Ferdinand Foundation Northern Dancer Handicap

  • Prize money: £38655
  • 1m 4f 6y
  • Class 2
  • 9 runners
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Rio Ferdinand Foundation Northern Dancer Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.00

Form: 4399-1 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won at Chester last July and, having been gelded, never better than when scoring at Ascot (1m4f, soft; acts on good to firm) three weeks ago on reappearance; back up 2lb and should be seriously involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

10

(3)

13th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:07 Ascot

Sheer Rocks

9st 3lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Gelded before 1m4f wins at Ascot (soft) and Epsom (good to firm; comfortably) on first two starts last season; close fifth at Haydock that July but not seen again until 50-1 at Royal Ascot three weeks ago, mustering some late headway into mid-division; could be a lot more interesting this time.

16/1

10th

19

(9)

21st Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

16:25 Ascot

Sheer Rocks

9st 0lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

reared start, in rear, short of room 2f out, soon outpaced, rallied final furlong

20/1

11/4

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1260-2 CD

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 5lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Often front-runner; won five handicaps in a row last May-July, including two small-field events by very wide margins over C&D on good to firm; raised his game again when second here (1m2f, soft) on reappearance in April; back up 2lb but should go very well again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

8

(4)

19th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 7f 127y

Class 1

13:20 Ascot

Caius Chorister

9st 6lb

J: James Doyle

T: David Menuisier

Ended 2023 with French 1m6f Group 3 win from the front (very soft); raised her game again this season upped to 2m (held up) in Group 3s on first two outings, beaten a head by Sweet William on second occasion (soft); however, she's not lived up to those performances, usually racing too freely.

66/1

2nd

8

(3)

31st Aug 2024

Good

1m 6f 87y

Class 1

15:15 Chester

Caius Chorister

9st 3lb

J: James Doyle

T: David Menuisier

Ended last term with a 1m6f French Group 3 win from the front and raised her game again this season when upped to 2m (held up) in Group 3s on first two outings; raced far too freely in the 2m4f Ascot Gold Cup and disappointed when she again raced freely and reverted to front-running at Goodwood four weeks ago; the one to beat judged on initial form this term and James Doyle riding her for the first time is interesting.

5/2

4th

1

(4)

3rd Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 6f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Goodwood

Caius Chorister

9st 9lb

J: Harry Bentley

T: David Menuisier

Won at this meeting in 2022; ended last term with a 1m6f French Group 3 win from the front and better form again this season when upped to 2m and beaten a head in Group 3s at Ascot and Sandown; raced far too freely in the 2m4f Ascot Gold Cup on latest outing but looks a major player today.

11/4

33/1

  • Place: £4.65

Form: -54159

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
2-4 on turf in Bahrain in the winter; 33-1 when running creditably in Lingfield Group 3 (AW) in February and 1m4f York handicap last month, but came only ninth of 15 in the latter; dropped 2lb but still on a stiff mark.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

2

(8)

22nd Oct 2024

Standard

1m 4f 99y

Class 2

16:15 Newcastle (AW)

Lucander

10st 0lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: George Baker

Last three wins came in Bahrain (December 2022 to December 2023); has been off for four months since a couple of ordinary efforts in good-quality handicaps in the summer and needs a revival on his Tapeta debut.

12/1

Form: 2100-0

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 2lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 96

Form & Verdict
Won a Shergar Cup race at Ascot (1m, good to firm; 4lb higher today) last August, as well as a quite valuable 1m2f handicap at Leopardstown in July; going beyond 10.5f is something new, though, casting doubts, new high needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

14

2nd May 2026

Yielding

2m 0f 0y

18:35 Punchestown

Jungle Cove

12st 0lb

J: Patrick James Chesters

T: Mrs John Harrington

3-34 on the Flat and rated 74, off since poor run at Laytown last September.

11/1

6

(2)

4th Sep 2025

Standard

0m 7f 0y

19:10 Laytown

Jungle Cove

11st 13lb

J: Miss J Townend

T: Mrs John Harrington

Did well to overcome slow start when winning this last term; hasn't fully fired this season and was well held in charity race at the Curragh on Saturday; like last year, he could come into things if they go hard up front.

4/1

4

30th Aug 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

17:47 Curragh

Jungle Cove

12st 6lb

J: Claire O’Ryan

T: Mrs John Harrington

Three Flat wins over shorter; below best in just two runs this year and yard have a stronger contender in Mo Ghille Mar.

9/1

12/1

Form: 045-07 D

Last run: 22 days

W: 8st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Won last summer over 1m6f at York and 1m4f at Chester, the latter in one of his two British runs in cheekpieces which return today; twice well beaten on soft ground this spring but, beaten a nose at 25-1 in this race (good; probably acts on good to firm) last year, it would be no great shock were he to surge back to form.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(4)

5th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

18:00 Southwell (AW)

Haliphon

9st 6lb

J: Edward Greatrex

T: Ian Williams

0-17 on AW but he returned to form with a staying-on third here (1m6f) last month; now drops back in trip but he's 1lb lower than last time and has possibilities if this sets up for his closing style; visor reapplied.

9/2

3rd

2

(7)

20th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 6f 21y

Class 6

19:00 Southwell (AW)

Haliphon

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Ian Williams

On losing run and 0-16 on AW, unable to justify favouritism at Chelmsford 12 days ago; another 2lb lower today and too much ability to discount.

9/2

OUR TIP

3/1

Form: 115-51 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
One of three 1m4f wins last term came at this track on good to firm; raised his game again when winning a 15-runner race at York (1m4f) 17 days ago and did it smoothly, seizing the initiative over 1f out after travelling much the best, not for first time; up 6lb but may well be able to score again.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

16th

5

(17)

14th Jun 2024

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

16:10 York

Scampi

9st 3lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Andrew Balding

Two good wins at 1m4f in 2023, impressing on this track (good) and just scraping home at Ascot (good to soft) in October; effective over C&D but he lacks a recent run and his time is more likely to come when back up in trip; hood refitted for the first time in 12 months.

14/1

4th

5

(10)

14th Oct 2023

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 2

15:35 York

Scampi

9st 6lb

J: Jason Hart

T: Andrew Balding

dwelt start, in touch with leaders

7/1

25/1

Form: -90407

Last run: 21 days

W: 8st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 87

Form & Verdict
With a new trainer (his third) this year and has been below form at Meydan (four runs) and Ascot (first run on soft); he's crept down the weights as a result, though, and has a shout on his form last May/June; same yard's Haliphon went oh so close at 25-1 in this race last year.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

8

29th May 2026

Standard

1m 4f 51y

Class 5

18:05 Wolverhampton (AW)

Green Team

10st 7lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Nick Littmoden

A three-time winner (including over C&D) in 2025 for Ian Williams; in good nick for his present yard too, fourth of eight in 1m3f Southwell handicap eight days ago; not out of things.

12/1

4th

4

(7)

21st May 2026

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 5

17:23 Southwell (AW)

Green Team

10st 8lb

J: Miss Grace Littmoden

T: Nick Littmoden

On the downgrade in recent times for Ian Williams, from whom he was picked up for 7,500gns last month; just a fair debut for his new yard recently and this trip is a bare minimum these days.

12/1

4th

4

(9)

11th May 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 6

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Green Team

9st 6lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Nick Littmoden

On the downgrade in recent times for Ian Williams, from whom he was picked up for 7,500gns last month, his latest second coming in a messy, small-field affair; decent record here, though, and is one to consider under regular partner Billy Loughnane.

7/1

Form: 9873-1

Last run: 54 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Sold out of Joseph O'Brien's for 42,000gns last October; reappeared in April when winning a useful 13-runner handicap at Kempton (1m3f, AW); back up 4lb and unraced on firmer than good but no way can he be ruled out after registering that career best at first attempt for new yard.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

2

(12)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 3

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Max Mayhem

9st 9lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: George Baker

Three times down the field in Bahrain for this yard and can't support with confidence, for all moving back up in trip should help.

25/1

6th

5

(2)

5th Jul 2025

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 2

17:15 Sandown

Max Mayhem

9st 10lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Hilal Kobeissi

Usually ridden patiently at about 1m4f in recent times but he made the running when fourth of 17 at Glorious Goodwood (good) last July, on most recent attempt at 1m2f (off this mark); found wanting since a convincing winner at Meydan in March and needs more for the now-rare 1m2f run.

10/1

Form: 7447-2 D BF

Last run: 10 days

W: 8st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 92

Form & Verdict
Won on good to firm last April and also ran well at Haydock in September (1m6f, good to soft) when second past the post but demoted to fourth, having hung left; reappeared with a solid second to impressive winner at Kempton (1m4f, AW) ten days ago; wearing headgear first time, he could resume his progress.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

14

(9)

24th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 5f 188y

Class 2

15:35 York

Sea King

9st 3lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Well beaten at Royal Ascot but won at Ripon (1m4f, soft) and Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) starts either side; blinkered at Ayr and when a good third off this mark to Iron Lion at Ripon on latest start, meeting trouble in running; not 100% sure to be as good at 1m6f (went close in 2022 in one of three attempts) but he leaves the strong impression that he still has more to give.

20/1

3rd

2

(5)

20th Jul 2024

Soft

1m 4f 10y

Class 2

15:55 Ripon

Sea King

10st 1lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

Has won five of his 12 handicaps, including at Ripon (1m4f, soft) and Ayr (1m5f, good to firm) on the first and latest of his three races this season; the heavy defeat in between was at Royal Ascot; blinkered first time on latest start and again today; up another 5lb but likely to go well.

2/1

1st

1

(5)

8th Jul 2024

Good

1m 5f 26y

Class 3

16:05 Ayr

Sea King

9st 9lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Sir Mark Prescott Bt

travelled strongly, steadied start, towards rear

7/4

Non-runners

Sea King

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £22.20
Straight Forecast £17.78
Tricast £226.23
Trifecta £293.60

Selections

Telegraph:

Caius Chorister

The Times:

Scampi

SPOTLIGHT:

Haliphon

NEWMARKET:

Sea King

TOPSPEED:

Green Team

POSTDATA:

Sheer Rocks

D Express:

Max Mayhem

The Guardian:

Caius Chorister

Daily Mail:

Caius Chorister

Daily Mirror:

Caius Chorister

The Sun:

Caius Chorister

The Star:

Scampi

Daily Record:

Scampi

RP RATINGS:

Haliphon