July 05 / 20.30 Epsom

20.30

Good

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

  • Prize money: £6280.8
  • 1m 2f 17y
  • Class 4
  • 10 runners
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Betfred Play Fred’s 5 Million Handicap (Jockey Club Grassroots Middle Distance Series Qualifier)

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

7/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.25
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 0-8525 D

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 10lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 81

Form & Verdict
Ran creditably over C&D once last June; no win that year and although he so nearly got back on the scoresheet at Newbury this May, he followed that with a lesser effort at Sandown where he usually goes well; still well handicapped if bouncing back.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

1

(14)

31st Aug 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 6y

Class 4

15:35 Epsom

Sweet Reward

11st 11lb

J: Mr James Hills

T: Jonathan Portman

Multiple winner down the years, including at this track, and all ground seems to come alike to him; dropping back into Class 4 will help but his stamina has to be taken on trust.

20/1

11th

9

(10)

1st Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 11y

Class 3

17:20 Goodwood

Sweet Reward

9st 8lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Jonathan Portman

9yo who won two in a row at Lingfield (1m2f/1m1f, good to firm) and maybe went off too hard when well beaten at Sandown (1m2f, good) last time; has won here twice and he might not be far away if bouncing back.

20/1

9th

6

(11)

12th Jun 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 3

15:23 Sandown

Sweet Reward

9st 7lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

Won this in 2021 and was third in one of the divisions 12 months ago; returns off a 6lb higher mark than last year but on the back of two wins at Lingfield, the latest narrowly from the front off 3lb lower; thriving 9yo who must have some sort of chance.

10/1

5/1

  • Place: £2.30

Form: 39-766 D

Last run: 33 days

W: 9st 11lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Won novice at Doncaster (1m2f, good) last July and ran well in handicaps (1m3f/1m4f) on next two starts; reappearance is the only time since that he's not been well beaten and even then he finished only seventh of 13; sometimes wears a hood but it's removed today; 8lb lower than reappearance and drops in class.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4

26th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 13y

19:30 Ballinrobe

Wandering Rocks

11st 10lb

J: Patrick M O’Brien

T: William Durkan

Dual purpose; won a C&D maiden hurdle (yielding) in May 2024; raced exclusively on the Flat in 2026; cheekpieces replace blinkers worn for last two starts; worth a market check on return to hurdling.

25/1

8th

4

(6)

12th May 2026

Good

2m 0f 182y

19:40 Killarney

Wandering Rocks

11st 11lb

J: Mr A D Bustin

T: William Durkan

Flat/hurdle winner; seemingly perked up by the new blinkers when a rallying third at Dundalk 19 days ago (1m4f); whether he'll be as good again is open to some debate.

10/1

3rd

8

(4)

23rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

19:45 Dundalk (AW)

Wandering Rocks

9st 0lb

J: Jamie Orr

T: William Durkan

Sole success for this yard came in Ballinrobe maiden hurdle in 2024; fine effort at big odds over C&D after long layoff in January when fourth to Voice Of Reason but unable to back that up in two subsequent starts; new headgear.

20/1

7/1

Form: 14-434 D

Last run: 26 days

W: 8st 9lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
Has had three runs at this track, getting closer but not as good as his 1m2f form elsewhere last term; shaped very promisingly at Sandown on penultimate start and not far off that form at Goodwood latest, two performances which mean he's firmly in the picture.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

1

(9)

18th Oct 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:30 Kempton (AW)

Nonsuch Lad

9st 12lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Jim Boyle

Won twice on turf last season and he has run some good races in defeat this time around; last couple of efforts need forgiving; dropping into a 0-60 should help but he still has something to prove on AW.

16/1

8th

2

(11)

5th Oct 2023

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

18:30 Chelmsford (AW)

Nonsuch Lad

9st 12lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Jim Boyle

Won twice on turf last season and he has run some good races in defeat this time around; he wasn't at his best at Nottingham nine days ago but this is a more realistic assignment; no reason why he won't be fully effective on AW in time.

6/1

8th

8

(2)

26th Sep 2023

Soft

1m 2f 50y

Class 2

16:25 Nottingham

Nonsuch Lad

9st 0lb

J: Luke Catton

T: Jim Boyle

Has won on good and soft; another sound effort in defeat over this far at Leicester two weeks ago but looks vulnerable in this higher grade.

14/1

Form: 5-6371 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 73

Form & Verdict
Two 1m2f wins last October (on good to firm and good to soft) and another when he led on the post at Haydock three weeks ago; penultimate start was one of his blips in 19 handicaps but he's pretty reliable and likely to be seriously involved if he takes to this track.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

4

(4)

22nd Jun 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

13:35 Newmarket (July)

At Liberty

9st 11lb

J: Sam Feilden

T: Michael Appleby

prominent, led over 2f out

6/1

4th

3

(13)

10th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Carlisle

At Liberty

9st 9lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Michael Appleby

Triple turf winner (1m2f) on fast and slow ground; got back on the scoresheet at Wolverhampton (1m4f, AW) in March but he's not easy to predict and has been well held in last three runs; still 4lb higher than for his last win and he comes with risks attached back at this trip.

10/1

16/1

Form: 55-477 D

Last run: 51 days

W: 9st 1lb

5 yo Horse

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Three wins (1m1f/1m2f) from 12 starts in Germany; far closer on British debut (AW) than he was in his two subsequent starts (one here) but it's possible that soft ground contributed to those lesser efforts; down the weights and needs a second look.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

9

(5)

7th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

12:50 Southwell (AW)

The Conqueror

8st 11lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Jim Boyle

midfield, some headway 2f out, weakened from 1f out

25/1

5th

9

(5)

7th Nov 2024

Standard

1m 4f 14y

Class 6

12:50 Southwell (AW)

The Conqueror

8st 11lb

J: Ethan Jones

T: Jim Boyle

midfield, some headway 2f out, weakened from 1f out

25/1

7th

6

(1)

21st Oct 2024

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 6

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

The Conqueror

9st 6lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Jim Boyle

Now 2lb lower than when winning on turf in the spring but needs to put two poor efforts behind him; stays further and others make greater appeal on just his second Tapeta start.

14/1

16/1

Form: 458

Last run: 41 days

W: 8st 13lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 70

Form & Verdict
Third in two of his three bumper runs; well held over about 1m in his three runs on the Flat but this is his handicap debut over a new trip and it's possible that he will be seen in a much better light.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

10th

4

(2)

11th Aug 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

16:00 Lingfield (AW)

Dotties Star

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Pat Phelan

Narrowly landed a similar event over C&D in March, but well held in three handicaps since; return to this level should help, but others are preferred for the win.

14/1

5th

5

(3)

1st Jul 2026

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 6

19:32 Epsom

Dotties Star

9st 9lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Pat Phelan

Got up on the line to bag 1m4f AW classified event in March but he's made little impact in two subsequent handicaps and is 0-7 here.

14/1

10th

8

(3)

20th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

21:00 Kempton (AW)

Dotties Star

9st 1lb

J: James Glennon

T: Pat Phelan

Better known as a hurdler these days, but he made a successful return to the Flat when narrowly landing a classified event at Lingfield (1m4f, Polytrack) in March; never involved in a C&D handicap last time but that was against a pace bias and he has claims if things go more to plan this time.

6/1

Form: -85915 D

Last run: 43 days

W: 9st 6lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 77

Form & Verdict
Had slipped in the weights prior to his win at Lingfield (1m, AW) in early May; fair fifth at Brighton six weeks ago; last seen over this far (won once on Lingfield AW) in 2021 and the trip poses a question.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

3

(10)

24th Jan 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

14:14 Lingfield (AW)

Enough Already

9st 10lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Charlie Wallis

Won three times here (1m/1m2f) before his spell in Ireland and showed the ability remains when third of ten over 1m2f at this course last month; only sixth back here again since, though.

16/1

9

(9)

10th Oct 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

18:45 Kempton (AW)

Enough Already

9st 2lb

J: Rob Hornby

T: Charlie Wallis

Four modest efforts for current stable this year; dropping down the weights but he has too much to prove for comfort.

50/1

9th

8

(13)

24th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 4

18:10 Kempton (AW)

Enough Already

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Charlie Wallis

Has beaten a total of one rival in three outings for this yard; would be a surprise winner.

66/1

OUR TIP

Form: 15-184 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 7lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 78

Form & Verdict
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

(9)

14th Sep 2024

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:58 Lingfield (AW)

Wonder Starelzaam

9st 12lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Denis Coakley

in rear

7/1

4th

10

(10)

16th Aug 2024

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

16:55 Newbury

Wonder Starelzaam

9st 9lb

J: Rose Dawes

T: Denis Coakley

towards rear

25/1

12th

2

(13)

18th Jul 2024

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:10 Chepstow

Wonder Starelzaam

9st 11lb

J: Trevor Whelan

T: Denis Coakley

Five wins to his name and he's 8lb lower than for the last of them (March 2023); hasn't beaten a rival in three runs this year; hopes pinned on the drop to Class 6 company sparking a revival.

12/1

Form: 304-53 D

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 3lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
One run here last July was creditable; ran respectably both starts this term; has a mixed record over this long a trip and ground softer than good would be a big worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(6)

17th Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

20:10 Windsor

Balgair

9st 3lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Tom Clover

carried left start, took keen hold, prominent, pulled way into lead after 2f, no extra and headed final 110yds

8/1

1

(4)

6th Jul 2023

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

20:25 Newbury

Balgair

10st 2lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Tom Clover

On a losing run but ran respectably both starts this term, close third of six at Lingfield latest; that was 1m2f but he has a mixed record over this far; ground softer than good would be a big worry.

9/2

Form: 39-291 D

Last run: 11 days

W: 9st 1lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 72

Form & Verdict
Not the most consistent over the last 11 months but had a close call first time out this season and won at Lingfield latest; has to be in serious calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

13:05 Fakenham

Eklil

10st 10lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

held up in rear, not fluent 5th

40/1

7

19th Jan 2025

Good To Soft

2m 0f 3y

Class 5

13:05 Fakenham

Eklil

10st 10lb

J: Philip Armson

T: Andy Irvine

held up in rear, not fluent 5th, outpaced and lost touch 3 out, pulled up before 2 out

40/1

8th

7

16th Dec 2024

Soft

1m 7f 195y

Class 4

12:40 Plumpton

Eklil

11st 3lb

J: Niall Houlihan

T: Andy Irvine

took keen hold, didn't jump with fluency, always behind

100/1

Non-runners

Wonder Starelzaam, Balgair, Eklil

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £11.20
Straight Forecast £9.82
Tricast £37.98
Trifecta £45.50

Selections

NEWMARKET:

Eklil

POSTDATA:

Nonsuch Lad

SPOTLIGHT:

At Liberty

The Times:

Dotties Star

RP RATINGS:

Wandering Rocks

LAMBOURN:

Sweet Reward

The Guardian:

Enough Already

Daily Mail:

Nonsuch Lad

D Express:

Nonsuch Lad

Telegraph:

Eklil

The Sun:

Eklil

The Star:

Eklil

Daily Record:

Eklil

TOPSPEED:

At Liberty

Daily Mirror:

At Liberty