July 13 / 19.00 Epsom

19.00

Good To Firm

Betfred Play Fred’s 5 Million Handicap (Jockey Club Grassroots Sprint Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £6280.8
  • 0m 6f 3y
  • Class 4
  • 8 runners
RTV
View Course
Betfred Play Fred’s 5 Million Handicap (Jockey Club Grassroots Sprint Series Qualifier)

Runners: 8 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

Form: 6-5414 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 4lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Won a Windsor novice (6f, good to soft) last summer and he got off the mark this year when running away with a Class 5 handicap at Lingfield last month (6f, good to firm); that might not have been much of a race with the odds-on favourite underperforming and he had no excuses at Windsor 17 days ago; blinkers now reached for.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(9)

1st Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:45 Windsor

Magical Merlin

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Harry Charlton

Continues to edge down the weights, but losing run is up to 19 and the application of a tongue-tie made little difference last time; something to prove on his first attempt over this far.

11/2

4th

3

(6)

29th Apr 2026

Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:20 Bath

Magical Merlin

9st 5lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Harry Charlton

Ran just four times last season and was runner-up on three occasions (7f/1m, various ground); down the field on reappearance at Kempton (1m, AW) four weeks ago but may have needed that outing and it will be no surprise if he's in the mix; a tongue-tie is added.

7/2

8th

1

(4)

1st Apr 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:00 Kempton (AW)

Magical Merlin

9st 9lb

J: Millie Wonnacott

T: Harry Charlton

He finished second in three of his four starts in 2025, including on his seasonal return, but was still operating at a level below his old form; drops into 0-70 for the first time; not discounted.

6/1

Form: 917948 CD

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 5lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Sprung a surprise in a 6f handicap at Lingfield (AW) in March off an 8lb higher mark; out of sorts since and although he's effective at this track, others look stronger.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(1)

5th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 5

20:17 Kempton (AW)

Count Otto

9st 8lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Amanda Perrett

One C&D success among a magnificent total of 13 wins; below best at Epsom last week but he showed he retains plenty of ability since absence when a front-running second of eight at Lingfield (6f, AW) in June; can give it a good shot from rail draw back on AW.

7/1

6th

7

(5)

25th Aug 2025

Good

0m 6f 3y

Class 5

13:35 Epsom

Count Otto

9st 4lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Amanda Perrett

10yo who has won 13 times, including twice over C&D; last success was in 2023 but he's well treated on old form and was a front-running second on AW when last seen in June; dangerous back from a break.

3/1

8

(6)

5th Jun 2025

Standard

0m 6f 1y

Class 4

16:55 Lingfield (AW)

Count Otto

9st 2lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Amanda Perrett

Conditions to suit and he's on a good mark but this veteran has been well beaten in two runs since returning from a long absence and this looks a tough race in which to bounce back.

33/1

Form: -41158 D BF

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Off the mark in a Kempton novice (6f, AW) in April and followed up on his handicap debut at Salisbury in May (6f, good to soft); no impact in his last two starts, struggling to make up ground in races in which the speed held up; still has time to do better and a return to more positive tactics could help matters.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3

(10)

12th Sep 2025

Good

0m 6f 17y

Class 5

16:20 Chester

Grenham Bay

9st 13lb

J: Callum Hutchinson

T: Andrew Balding

Most effective on AW (4-25) and was beaten 15l (tenth) in the Grey Horse handicap at Newmarket (6f, good to firm; 40-1) last month; needs this change of headgear - has won in first-time blinkers previously - to spark a revival; easing mark but poorly drawn.

25/1

10

(1)

16th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:05 Newmarket (July)

Grenham Bay

8st 11lb

J: Jason Watson

T: Andrew Balding

Close third in this last year (good) and he won twice at Kempton (6f, AW) in the winter; below par on his last two starts but runs off his last winning mark and is not written off.

16/1

7th

4

(4)

28th Jul 2025

Standard

0m 6f 16y

Class 5

20:00 Southwell (AW)

Grenham Bay

9st 6lb

J: P J McDonald

T: Andrew Balding

In good form at Kempton over the winter, winning twice in blinkers; had a three-month break prior to his midfield finish at Salisbury last month; should be happier back on AW and with blinkers back on (wore cheekpieces latest); solid contender.

4/1

OUR TIP

Form: -62038 CD

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 8lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
5lb lower than when winning the corresponding race 12 months ago (good to firm); some fair efforts on AW earlier in the year and perhaps in need of the outing when behind Faro De San Juan at Chester last month; his last three turf wins have come here, at Brighton and Goodwood so undulating tracks clearly no barrier to success; interesting.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

10

8th Feb 2026

Standard

0m 7f 0y

Class 6

14:35 Chelmsford (AW)

Toussarok

9st 3lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

Off colour last time but was only a neck away in 7f handicaps at Wolverhampton and Lingfield prior to that; respected.

12/1

7th

12

(3)

26th Jan 2026

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Toussarok

9st 4lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Tony Carroll

Still 8lb higher than when winning over C&D in September, but narrow defeats off similar marks to this in his last two outings suggest he is capable of playing a part.

9/2

3

(9)

27th Oct 2025

Standard

0m 7f 36y

Class 6

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Toussarok

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Tony Carroll

A string of good runs at Brighton before collecting by 3l over C&D in a race that panned out to perfection; bled from the nose when disappointing at Brighton last time but he's 7lb higher than for his penultimate run and could have competition for the lead back on AW.

9/2

Form: 120-55 D

Last run: 23 days

W: 8st 11lb

8 yo Mare

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Coaxed back to form by this yard last summer, winning three times over the extended 5f at Brighton; yet to shine in 2023 and could prove vulnerable at this level.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

5

27th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 1y

Class 6

16:15 Lingfield (AW)

Lethal Angel

9st 6lb

T: Brett Johnson

Consistency has been an issue this season but she retains ability and continues to slip down the weights; well beaten on AW three weeks ago but this is weak and she's not discounted.

8/1

11th

1

(4)

4th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Lethal Angel

9st 9lb

J: Neil Callan

T: Brett Johnson

in touch with leaders, hampered and weakened over 1f out

14/1

4th

5

(6)

11th Sep 2023

Good

0m 5f 60y

Class 6

17:15 Brighton

Lethal Angel

9st 5lb

J: Laura Pearson

T: Brett Johnson

Her last three wins have come over C&D (good/good to firm) and she was beaten less than 2l off a reduced mark here (6f) last Monday; that was her best run for a while and she looks interesting on this drop back in trip.

8/1

Form: 224443 D

Last run: 24 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Enjoyed a fine time of it on AW over the winter, rattling off a four-timer in December and January; has run well in defeat since, including back from a 12-week break at Windsor last month when he went without his usual blinkers; the headgear returns today and he should be bang there if coping with the idiosyncrasies of this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(3)

25th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 12y

Class 2

15:53 Windsor

Justcallmepete

8st 7lb

J: Myla Coppins

T: Tony Carroll

Nine wins on AW; scored at Bath on penultimate outing but is only 2-23 on turf and latest effort confirms that marks in the 80s are probably beyond him, at least nowadays, in this sphere.

11/2

3rd

1

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

14:44 Leicester

Justcallmepete

9st 13lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Has a better strike-rate on AW than turf but he's capable of useful 6f form on grass and made short work of his rivals at Bath (extended 5f, good) last week; now 6lb higher but this mark isn't beyond him on past exploits; would have welcomed rain but still considered.

5/1

1st

3

(12)

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

0m 5f 160y

Class 4

17:20 Bath

Justcallmepete

9st 9lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Nine-time AW winner who won three in a row during the winter and was a creditable fifth in Class 3 at Lingfield (6f, Polytrack) two weeks ago; record of 1-21 on turf but he's on a lower mark in this sphere and he had a close call at Windsor last autumn; dangerous.

13/2

Form: 307819 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 10st 3lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 86

Form & Verdict
Off the mark for this yard when sweeping down the outside to win at Chester last month; caught out wide at Pontefract when only in midfield last time; first run at a track of this nature.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(7)

24th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 5f 8y

Class 5

14:38 Nottingham

Faro De San Juan

9st 9lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Dylan Cunha

4-29 on turf and although he hasn't won on genuine soft ground he again showed he acts on it when second at Bath (5.7f) latest; each-way player.

4/1

2nd

4

(5)

21st Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 5f 160y

Class 5

16:10 Bath

Faro De San Juan

9st 9lb

J: Morgan Cole

T: Dylan Cunha

Has patchy record but he won on fast ground at Windsor (5f) in July and was beaten less than 2l on soft at Redcar (fourth of 11) last time; seems tactically versatile and he's not ruled out on this drop back on grade.

13/2

7

(10)

5th Oct 2024

Soft

0m 5f 0y

Class 4

17:37 Redcar

Faro De San Juan

9st 3lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Dylan Cunha

Dropped away in the final furlong in the race won Our Absent Friends at Ripon last week; Paul Mulrennan is a good booking (close fourth on him at Newmarket 11 months ago) but others appeal more.

10/1

Form: 318735 D

Last run: 7 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Won twice over 5f on Polytrack earlier in the year; hit and miss since the second victory and he was short of his best at Kempton last week (after a 58-day break); unplaced in three runs here, including behind Toussarok in this race 12 months ago.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(6)

5th Aug 2024

Good To Soft

0m 4f 217y

Class 6

15:45 Lingfield

Pablo Del Pueblo

9st 4lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Simon Dow

mounted in chute, walked to post

5/4

1st

5

(3)

27th Jul 2024

Good

0m 4f 217y

Class 6

20:15 Lingfield

Pablo Del Pueblo

9st 4lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Simon Dow

walked to post, made all, ridden final furlong, kept on well

3/1

3rd

10

(11)

24th Jul 2024

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:20 Lingfield

Pablo Del Pueblo

9st 3lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Simon Dow

Lost his last 19 starts and maintains a far lesser strike-rate on turf, but two previous runs over this C&D have netted a win off 11lb higher and (latest) a near-3l fifth which can be marked up as the rider dropped his hands late on; turn might be nearing.

6/1

Non-runners

Justcallmepete, Faro De San Juan

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Straight Forecast £16.99
Tricast £41.48

Selections

POSTDATA:

Justcallmepete

The Times:

Magical Merlin

SPOTLIGHT:

Toussarok

The Star:

Count Otto

Telegraph:

Magical Merlin

D Express:

Magical Merlin

Daily Mail:

Justcallmepete

Daily Mirror:

Justcallmepete

The Sun:

Justcallmepete

Daily Record:

Justcallmepete

RP RATINGS:

Toussarok

The Guardian:

Toussarok