October 01 / 14.15 Epsom

14.15

Good

Betfred ‘Passionate About Sport’ Nursery Handicap

  • Prize money: £6280.8
  • 0m 7f 3y
  • Class 4
  • 9 runners
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Betfred ‘Passionate About Sport’ Nursery Handicap

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £1.80

Form: 340391 D

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 4lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 75

Form & Verdict
Became exposed over sprint distances but was seen to better effect when stepped to 7f at Salisbury (good to firm) and holding on well after a positive ride; only 2lb higher now promoted in grade, but he's well drawn to adopt similar tactics.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

9

(7)

29th Jun 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Mr Baloo

9st 10lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Back to winning ways off this mark at Lingfield (1m, AW; cheekpieces first time) in April; he hasn't built on that and others may have his measure.

14/1

7th

10

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

13:42 Newmarket

Mr Baloo

9st 4lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Won in first-time cheekpieces (retained since) at Lingfield (1m, AW) last month but not at the same level at Epsom (8.5f, good) and Kempton (7f, AW) since, and needs to get back on track.

20/1

8th

2

(11)

6th May 2026

Standard To Slow

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

20:00 Kempton (AW)

Mr Baloo

9st 10lb

J: Joe Leavy

T: Richard Hannon

Added to a good record in the spring when winning off 2lb lower at Lingfield (1m) last month in first-time cheekpieces; a long way below that level on turf since and this trip is a bare minimum round here, especially from a wide stall.

16/1

12/1

  • Place: £1.80

Form: 562310 CD

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 11lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
Entitled to win a C&D novice (on soft; made all) in August and it was always going to be tough for him in a very deep nursery at York's Ebor meeting (form working out very well); on a challenging mark but should be a factor.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(9)

1st Oct 2023

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:15 Epsom

Rednblue Sovereign

9st 11lb

J: Alistair Rawlinson

T: Tom Dascombe

Entitled to win a C&D novice (on soft; made all) in August and it was always going to be tough for him in a very deep nursery at York's Ebor meeting (form working out very well); on a challenging mark but should be a factor.

12/1

17th

7

(18)

24th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Rednblue Sovereign

8st 13lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Made his experience count when making all in 7f Epsom novice (soft) three weeks ago; the runner-up gave that form a boost when scoring with something to spare at Ripon last weekend; stall 18 might not be ideal, though.

16/1

1st

6

(5)

3rd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

18:20 Epsom

Rednblue Sovereign

9st 4lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Tom Dascombe

Runner-up to an impressive winner in maiden at Sandown (7f, good; unraced on softer) in June; couldn't crack it at the fourth attempt when making the running over 6f at Salisbury (good to firm) 12 days later but he's narrowly the form pick in this field and has some experience of this track from his second outing.

11/10

7/1

  • Place: £3.10

Form: 630052

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 5lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 76

Form & Verdict
Found trouble on her nursery debut and showed her true colours when runner-up at Sandown (7f, good) a month ago; that form looks okay and may have more to offer.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

6

(3)

16th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 5

15:50 Chepstow

Rating

8st 11lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Grace Harris

8lb better off with Dappled Light for a half-length defeat at Bath (1m, good to firm) in May; won a small-field handicap back at Bath four days later but two runs in Class 5 events since haven't been so good; others appeal more.

8/1

5th

7

(7)

27th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 14y

Class 5

19:35 Chepstow

Rating

8st 12lb

J: William Carson

T: Grace Harris

Off the mark on turf at the 20th attempt when accounting for three rivals at Bath (1m, firm) last month; below par when fifth of 13 at Salisbury (1m, good) 13 days ago; win record is offputting.

9/1

5th

11

(3)

14th Jun 2026

Good To Soft

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

16:57 Salisbury

Rating

9st 3lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Grace Harris

Placed three consecutive times at Bath before justifying favouritism in four-runner race there (1m, firm) 19 days ago; nudged up only 2lb for that but this race is much deeper; others appeal more.

6/1

OUR TIP

Form: 65232

Last run: 9 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Plenty to like about his third on nursery debut at Newcastle having been held up in the wrong place; looked sure to make amends at Newbury (7f, soft) before headed late on by a Hannon improver; 2lb rise is manageable and, from the inside stall, looks sure to be involved.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(4)

4th Jul 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

14:25 Sandown

Ebts Guard

9st 6lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Similar type to Cerulean Bay in that he ran creditably in the Royal Hunt Cup (fourth) last time but is getting little help from the assessor, having proved largely consistent since his last win; solid contender all the same.

11/1

4th

8

(32)

17th Jun 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Ascot

Ebts Guard

9st 6lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Dual winner at Ascot; hindered by trouble in the Spring Cup on reappearance and ran creditably kept to Newbury last time; far from disgraced when seventh in this contest last year but has a stiffer mark this time and his ceiling has seemingly been reached already.

25/1

4th

1

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 2

17:00 Newbury

Ebts Guard

9st 12lb

J: Lewis Edmunds

T: William Muir & Chris Grassick

Tough and consistent sort who won the C&D Spring Cup on 2025 reappearance but couldn't get a clear run in it this time round; third in this race last year and 9lb higher today but he's an each-way contender.

10/1

Form: 676219 BF

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 9lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
All the better for going into nurseries and after finishing second here he looked well ahead of his mark when winning easily at Ffos Las (6f, good to soft); perhaps didn't take to the AW when only ninth under a penalty; up another 2lb this time, though; Rose Dawes has been aboard throughout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(8)

20th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Kempton (AW)

The Smiling Wolf

9st 4lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: John Butler

Drawn a blank since his Ffos Las nursery win (6f) in September 2023; big prices and well beaten in four runs for John Butler but he ran better than the distance beaten at Lingfield 17 days ago (forced a strong pace and weakened quickly in the final furlong); tumbling down the weights and he needs a close look in the betting now back sprinting.

12/1

7th

7

(8)

20th Jan 2025

Standard To Slow

0m 6f 0y

Class 6

16:45 Kempton (AW)

The Smiling Wolf

9st 4lb

J: Shane Kelly

T: John Butler

Drawn a blank since his Ffos Las nursery win (6f) in September 2023; big prices and well beaten in four runs for John Butler but he ran better than the distance beaten at Lingfield 17 days ago (forced a strong pace and weakened quickly in the final furlong); tumbling down the weights and he needs a close look in the betting now back sprinting.

12/1

6th

7

(8)

3rd Jan 2025

Standard

0m 7f 1y

Class 5

13:45 Lingfield (AW)

The Smiling Wolf

9st 1lb

J: George Bass

T: John Butler

Yet to add to 6f turf win for Jack Channon in September 2023 and was safely held on all three starts for John Butler in the autumn (7f-1m); lurks on a dangerous mark though and needs a check in the betting.

20/1

Form: 1324 BF

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 11lb

2 yo Filly

OR: 82

Form & Verdict
All runs on good or quicker; debut winner who bumped into one on her nursery debut at Windsor (6f) and then drifted her way out of contention when a beaten favourite at Goodwood; on a dangerous mark and the tongue-tie could make a difference to her.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(6)

1st Oct 2023

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:15 Epsom

Pink Satin

9st 11lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

All runs on good or quicker; debut winner who bumped into one on her nursery debut at Windsor (6f) and then drifted her way out of contention when a beaten favourite at Goodwood; on a dangerous mark and the tongue-tie could make a difference to her.

5/1

4th

2

(1)

5th Sep 2023

Soft

0m 6f 0y

Class 3

14:45 Goodwood

Pink Satin

9st 4lb

J: Mohammed Tabti

T: Paul & Oliver Cole

Made a winning debut at Windsor (6f, good) in June; placed in both starts since, bumping into one who went on to win a nursery at the Ebor meeting when second back at Windsor 19 days ago; unraced on slower than good; open to further progress.

2/1

7th
6 (4)
Barg

16/1

Form: 31480

Last run: 38 days

W: 9st 8lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Would be on a good mark if recapturing the form of his Ripon win in June (6f, good); struggled since, last time finishing upside Rednblue Sovereign in a hot York nursery (cheekpieces tried there now left off); this is easier than that.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

6

(4)

1st Oct 2023

Good

0m 7f 3y

Class 4

14:15 Epsom

Barg

9st 8lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Would be on a good mark if recapturing the form of his Ripon win in June (6f, good); struggled since, last time finishing upside Rednblue Sovereign in a hot York nursery (cheekpieces tried there now left off); this is easier than that.

16/1

16th

8

(5)

24th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 2

16:45 York

Barg

8st 12lb

J: Sam James

T: K R Burke

Easy winner of a 6f novice at Ripon (good) in June; fourth under a penalty at Pontefract and well held when 50-1 for an Ascot Listed race (7f, good) on his two outings since but his mark is feasible if first-time cheekpieces help him to recapture the Ripon form.

25/1

Form: 352

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 8lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 79

Form & Verdict
Beaten about 4l in his first two runs over Windsor's bare 6f but showed appreciably more when runner-up to a smart prospect (now 2-2) in a valuable sales race at the Curragh (6.5f, good to yielding; fourth since gone close in a nursery); potentially better handicapped than a lot of these.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

7

(1)

25th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

Class 3

14:51 Newbury

Mercian Warrior

8st 13lb

J: Charles Bishop

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

took keen hold, pressed leader, led 2f out, soon joined and ridden, kept on well towards finish

7/2

1st

7

(3)

4th Oct 2024

Heavy

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

14:12 Ascot

Mercian Warrior

11st 0lb

J: Mr Jack Nicholls

T: Eve Johnson Houghton

Lightly raced 3yo who returned to form when going close at Bath (1m, good) last month; has also run well on good to yielding ground (unraced on softer); can be in the mix if backing up that latest performance.

11/2

14/1

Form: 23265

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 3lb

2 yo Colt

OR: 74

Form & Verdict
Consistent efforts to start with but ran moderately in his final maiden and only beat one home when switched to nurseries at York (6f, good); now has a bit to prove and he's drawn wide.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

7

(12)

14th Aug 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 4

19:00 Kempton (AW)

Sennockian

9st 8lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Charlie Johnston

Having dropped in the weights he made an immediate impact on AW in February, recording a quick hat-trick in 1m handicaps at Newcastle, Lingfield and Wolverhampton; career-best effort when second in a 1m handicap at Newcastle last month but his form dipped at Wolverhampton 13 days ago; drawn widest and could prove vulnerable.

10/1

10th

3

(4)

1st Aug 2024

Standard

1m 0f 142y

Class 4

18:45 Wolverhampton (AW)

Sennockian

9st 11lb

J: Paul Mulrennan

T: Charlie Johnston

Appeared to lose his way after completing an AW hat-trick at the start of the year (including a win over C&D), but he bounced right back to form when beaten half a length into second of 13 at Newcastle (1m, Tapeta) last Saturday; off the same mark (due a 1lb rise) and major chance if repeating that effort; stable also runs Never Fear.

9/1

2nd

11

(3)

27th Jul 2024

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 4

15:50 Newcastle (AW)

Sennockian

9st 2lb

J: Joe Fanning

T: Charlie Johnston

Landed a hat-trick early in the year, including a win over C&D, but has lost his way since, latterly when tailed off in first-time headgear (removed today) seven weeks ago; isn't easily recommended.

33/1

Non-runners

Crimson Spirit

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £43.40
Straight Forecast £32.65
Tricast £260.33
Trifecta £287.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Mercian Warrior

LAMBOURN:

Pink Satin

POSTDATA:

The Smiling Wolf

TOPSPEED:

Barg

Daily Mail:

Rednblue Sovereign

D Express:

Pink Satin

RP RATINGS:

Mercian Warrior

The Times:

Mercian Warrior

Telegraph:

Mercian Warrior

Daily Mirror:

Mercian Warrior

The Sun:

Mercian Warrior

The Star:

Mercian Warrior

Daily Record:

Mercian Warrior