August 26 / 14.42 Epsom

14.42

Good

Betfred ‘The Classic Bookmaker’ Handicap

  • Prize money: £10308
  • 0m 7f 3y
  • Class 3
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Betfred ‘The Classic Bookmaker’ Handicap

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

9/4 (Won)

  • Win: £2.38
  • Place: £1.40

Form: 41-103 D

Last run: 37 days

W: 9st 8lb

4 yo Filly

OR: 89

Form & Verdict
Lightly raced 4yo; won a maiden on final start last term and a novice on first this season, both 7f Kempton AW; 1m at Royal Ascot did not work out but she resumed progress when a close third of 12 at Doncaster (7f, good) in her second turf run, hooded for the first time and perhaps finding herself in front too soon (over 1f out); big shout if she adapts to this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(4)

17th Sep 2024

Good To Soft

0m 6f 3y

Class 3

16:35 Yarmouth

Summer Of Love

10st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

Lightly raced 4yo who is 3-6; this is her first crack at sprinting but she doesn't look short of gears and would have won more easily at Epsom (7f, good) recently had she not idled; 3lb higher; hooded the last twice but not today.

6/4

1st

5

(7)

26th Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

14:42 Epsom

Summer Of Love

9st 8lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Saeed bin Suroor

sweating, swerved right start, took keen hold, in touch with leaders, switched to centre 3f out, pushed along 2f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, idled final 110yds, always doing enough

9/4

3rd

4

(3)

20th Jul 2024

Soft

0m 7f 6y

Class 3

19:45 Doncaster

Summer Of Love

9st 11lb

J: Christian Howarth

T: Saeed bin Suroor

prominent on outer, led over 1f out

11/2

12/1

  • Place: £3.90

Form: 378215 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 8st 10lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Won on good to soft as 2yo; seems to have settled at a fair level this season for new yard but winning so well at Beverley (7.4f; made all) on penultimate start has resulted in 11lb higher mark today, which looks tough.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8

(8)

5th Oct 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

15:50 Pontefract

Bell Shot

9st 4lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: Michael Appleby

He has finished second to The Good Biscuit (runs 3.15) over C&D twice this summer, more recently 11 days ago; 2lb higher today but should make another bold bid.

4/1

2nd

8

(11)

24th Sep 2026

Good

0m 6f 0y

Class 4

17:03 Pontefract

Bell Shot

9st 9lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: Michael Appleby

Races prominently; has recorded some creditable efforts in defeat this year, including chasing home The Good Biscuit over C&D (good to firm) in July, but well beaten at Beverley latest; first outing for six weeks.

20/1

10th

3

(9)

12th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 75y

Class 4

15:45 Beverley

Bell Shot

10st 3lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Michael Appleby

Races prominently; easy winner of this 12 months ago when only 2lb lower and he returns on the back of some solid efforts, the latest over 6f which has to bode well; good chance.

6/1

13/2

Form: 0-4200 D

Last run: 44 days

W: 9st 13lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 94

Form & Verdict
Has won on soft but better form when it's not that testing; a Group 3 fourth scuppered his handicap mark for the second half of last term but he was short-headed off a reduced mark at Newmarket (7f, good) this May; well held at Royal Ascot and ran poorly in the Bunbury Cup, but this is a big step down in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:05 Goodwood

Gorak

9st 0lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Fellowes

Best form this season when placed twice at Haydock, including latest start; still on a workable mark but continues on a long losing sequence, which makes him a similar type to Billyjoh.

16/1

3

(2)

9th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 37y

Class 3

16:10 Haydock

Gorak

9st 13lb

J: Callum Rodriguez

T: Charlie Fellowes

Record over C&D includes a success in May 2023 and solid second on reappearance this term; disappointing favourite here on penultimate start and losing run is mounting up; best form certainly gives him a good chance off current mark back down in grade.

7/1

11

(1)

12th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

14:50 Newmarket (July)

Gorak

9st 4lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Charlie Fellowes

Disappointing favourite at Haydock last Saturday, extending his long losing sequence; beaten twice in this contest (seventh in 2023, well held in 2024) and can be opposed.

33/1

OUR TIP

6/1

Form: 610174 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 93

Form & Verdict
Won on heavy as 2yo; this season he scored at Newbury (7f, good to firm) in June and Newmarket (first go at 1m, good to soft) in July; ran creditably on last two outings and should not be far away.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(9)

19th Oct 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

16:20 Bath

Sterling Knight

9st 11lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: Ed Dunlop

Multiple winner who is familiar with stronger handicaps than this and he was beaten under 3l in a big field last time at Newbury (7f); won his last race at this level in May, over 1m and off the very same mark.

7/1

8th

10

(13)

19th Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

15:55 Newbury

Sterling Knight

9st 7lb

J: Cieren Fallon

T: Ed Dunlop

Landed the 12th win of his career (including one over C&D) at Newmarket (1m, good) in May but hasn't hit the same level in five subsequent runs; has dipped to 1lb above the mark he defied on the Rowley Mile but others arrive with more pressing claims.

25/1

6th

5

(4)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 3

19:37 Newmarket (July)

Sterling Knight

9st 11lb

J: Toby Moore

T: Ed Dunlop

C&D winner who scored on the other course here (1m, good) in May; hasn't hit the same level in four subsequent runs but he was not beaten far at Thirsk last time and he ties in with Tuscan Hills on that form; usually comes from off the pace and has possibilities if he gets the breaks.

12/1

Form: 2115 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
Twice made all (Chester and Thirsk) in his three novice races, latterly on good to soft; made most but well held when second favourite for handicap debut at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) 16 days ago, suggesting he's not on the best of marks; it's unchanged today but these are early days for him.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

1

(3)

25th Sep 2026

Soft

0m 6f 212y

Class 3

16:18 Haydock

Bobby Bennu

10st 0lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Triple winner at around 7f in 2024, including on good to soft; went close at Newcastle (AW) in June and had an excuse when the blindfold was removed late at York last time; has claims if he can get back near best and his peak effort last season was a close call over C&D.

10/1

15th

3

(7)

6th Sep 2026

Good To Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

16:25 York

Bobby Bennu

10st 1lb

J: Robbie Downey

T: Roger Varian

Went down narrowly in a 7f handicap at Newcastle in June; well beaten at Goodwood last time but he would have finished a bit closer with a clear run; sure to be popular again.

11/2

Form: 432424

Last run: 11 days

W: 8st 12lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Consistent 3yo whose run of minor honours includes a second at Glorious Goodwood (7f, good to firm; acts on good to soft); wore cheekpieces last two starts, now it's blinkers; should be thereabouts.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

4

(2)

25th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

19:30 Kempton (AW)

Piz Nair

9st 12lb

J: Liam Wright

T: George Scott

Two 6f wins, the second on Polytrack off a 4lb lower mark; some of his placed form since reads well and a lesser effort last time can be excused as the undulations of Epsom looked an issue; should get a good pace to aim at and he holds each-way claims.

10/1

6th

6

(2)

26th Aug 2024

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 3

14:42 Epsom

Piz Nair

8st 12lb

J: Callum Shepherd

T: George Scott

dwelt start, took keen hold, held up in rear, switched to centre 3f out, headway and challenging when hung left 2f out

4/1

4th

12

(1)

15th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 0f 31y

Class 3

19:00 Windsor

Piz Nair

8st 13lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: George Scott

Consistent 3yo who kept on well for 3l second at Glorious Goodwood (7f, good to firm) recently in first-time cheekpieces (retained); on that latest evidence today's first crack at 1m is well worth a go; he's a possible.

15/2

Form: 35-020

Last run: 67 days

W: 9st 9lb

3 yo Gelding

OR: 95

Form & Verdict
3yo who tried Group/Listed events last year after a winning debut; it's been handicaps this term, easily best of those efforts when second over 7f at Goodwood in June, 11 days before a fruitless second crack at 1m (Royal Ascot); left Jane Chapple-Hyam for 100,000gns in July and has his first start since; not dismissed back at 7f.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

4

(1)

13th Oct 2026

Standard

1m 5f 219y

Class 4

19:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Son Of Man

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Jim Boyle

Landed a good prize off today's mark at Lingfield (1m4f) on Good Friday but has mixed record since; ought to have been suited by the soft ground when midfield at Salisbury (1m4f) recently; others appeal more.

15/2

5th

1

1st Oct 2026

Good To Soft

1m 6f 44y

Class 4

17:25 Salisbury

Son Of Man

9st 11lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Jim Boyle

1m4f AW winner in April followed by two good efforts; not so good since and although he still took third at Windsor (good to soft) last time, new trip needs to spark something if he's to improve his modest strike-rate.

14/1

3rd

2

(2)

14th Sep 2026

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 4

16:12 Windsor

Son Of Man

9st 13lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Jim Boyle

1m4f AW handicap winner in April and followed that with two good efforts, including here; however, he finds winning difficult and no real positives to take from his last three races.

33/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £15.80
Straight Forecast £17.36
Trifecta £71.30

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Summer Of Love

TOPSPEED:

Piz Nair

The Times:

Bobby Bennu

NEWMARKET:

Sterling Knight

Telegraph:

Bobby Bennu

RP RATINGS:

Summer Of Love

POSTDATA:

Summer Of Love

Daily Mail:

Summer Of Love

D Express:

Summer Of Love

Daily Mirror:

Summer Of Love

The Sun:

Summer Of Love

The Star:

Summer Of Love

The Guardian:

Piz Nair

Daily Record:

Piz Nair