August 16 / 15.25 Epsom

15.25

Good

Betfred Play Fred’s £5 Million Handicap

  • Prize money: £3402.1
  • 1m 2f 17y
  • Class 6
  • 10 runners
RTV
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Betfred Play Fred’s £5 Million Handicap

Runners: 10 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly sunny

6/1 (Won)

  • Win: £7.50
  • Place: £2.10

Form: 31-852 D

Last run: 9 days

W: 10st 0lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Nearly held on for a shock at Brighton latest (1m2f, good to firm), and that second rates both his strongest form following a long absence and a turf Flat best; shortlisted off the same mark; blinkers go on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5

(9)

21st Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

20:10 Windsor

Early Morning Dew

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Won over 1m2f on turf last August and AW in October; also had AW form in the winter but recent efforts do not look persuasive.

25/1

4

(3)

2nd Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 5

18:20 Epsom

Early Morning Dew

9st 9lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Well beaten twice in a row over hurdles this spring and only fifth of seven when back on the Flat at Chelmsford (1m2f, AW) a fortnight ago; however, he won over C&D last August on his sole previous course visit and is well treated on AW form as recent as February; not written off.

13/2

1

(2)

19th Jun 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:15 Chelmsford (AW)

Early Morning Dew

10st 9lb

J: Miss Megan Jordan

T: Jim & Suzi Best

Dual C&D winner (from four runs), latterly off a 1lb lower mark last autumn; said to have stopped quickly when well beaten at a short price over hurdles last month, which leaves him a bit to prove, but he has one of the more experienced jockeys up.

4/1

5/2

  • Place: £1.50

Form: 697811

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 11lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 59

Form & Verdict
Nearly 3l too good for Star Of Epsom when recording a second straight 1m4f Lingfield Polytrack win 17 days ago; wasn't long before those victories that he was well held behind Martin Spirit here, but something's clicked with him again and his peak turf RPR is the match of that on sand.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

4th

3

(2)

30th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 4f 6y

Class 5

18:40 Epsom

Imperial Cult

9st 2lb

J: Neil Callan

T: George Baker

Battled well to win apprentice jockeys' race from the front at Sandown (1m2f, good to firm) on Friday and is now 3-4 for George Baker; escapes a penalty here and will be fine over the longer trip; makes obvious appeal.

8/13

1st

3

(6)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 209y

Class 5

17:15 Sandown

Imperial Cult

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Baker

Hit the ground running for George Baker with 1m4f/1m3f wins on the AW and was close up at Epsom despite stumbling at the start; that was no backward step and he should be thereabouts.

5/2

4th

2

(2)

1st Jul 2026

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 5

17:20 Epsom

Imperial Cult

9st 9lb

J: Jack Callan

T: George Baker

Strong in the market when he made a winning stable debut at Lingfield (1m4f) and he followed up off 3lb higher at Kempton (1m3f, also AW) three weeks ago; handicapper reacted by dishing out a career-high mark but this locally trained gelding is a C&D winner who needs considering in current mood.

9/4

12/1

  • Place: £1.90

Form: 236825 D

Last run: 21 days

W: 9st 9lb

5 yo Filly

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Consistent this term, and the form of her C&D second two starts back (good) has received a boost or two since; stamina to spare at this trip, and back on her last winning mark; an uncontested lead would be appreciated.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(6)

5th Oct 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Mrembo

9st 3lb

J: Pierre-Louis Jamin

T: Jonathan Portman

Reliable mare who won at Windsor (11.4f) in May and was runner-up at Epsom (1m2f) when last seen in August; now returns to AW but she's unexposed in this sphere and has claims if she can repeat that latest form.

4/1

2nd

1

(4)

14th Aug 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 6

16:38 Epsom

Mrembo

9st 12lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Jonathan Portman

Reliable mare who gained this season's win in three-runner contest at Windsor (11.4f, good to firm) in May; suited by this C&D and will appreciate today's ease in grade; each-way claims at least.

11/2

4th

7

(2)

24th Jul 2026

Good To Firm

1m 1f 209y

Class 5

17:15 Sandown

Mrembo

9st 1lb

J: Olivia Tubb

T: Jonathan Portman

Reliable mare who wasn't beaten far last time at Epsom when just behind Imperical Cult; has run well in the last three renewals of this race, beaten 2l or less; considered.

6/1

8/1

Form: -67715 C

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 9lb

7 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Slower-run race appeared more the issue than either the 5lb higher mark or waning of the blinkers' effectiveness when falling over 5l short of following up last month's 33-1 1m2f win back here latest (both good); fair chance there'll be pace to aim at again this time; remains of interest.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

9

(6)

24th Oct 2024

Heavy

1m 2f 50y

Class 6

16:25 Nottingham

Martin Spirit

9st 5lb

J: Sean Kirrane

T: Adam West

steadied start, held up in rear, smooth headway over 3f out, went second over 2f out, no extra towards finish

8/1

4th

5

(7)

14th Oct 2024

Soft

1m 3f 99y

Class 6

16:15 Windsor

Martin Spirit

9st 10lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Adam West

in touch with leaders

7/1

5th

5

24th Sep 2024

Good

2m 1f 162y

Class 5

16:50 Fontwell

Martin Spirit

11st 1lb

J: Lee Edwards

T: Adam West

Soft-ground hurdle winner in March off 2lb lower; out of sorts when last seen hurdling but in good form on the Flat since the blinkers went on, latest when a close third at Windsor this month; could play a part if the headgear continues to have a positive effect back over hurdles.

8/1

Form: 813715 CD

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 7lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 62

Form & Verdict
Last month's C&D success (good to soft) was boosted by the win of runner-up Hello Cotai (runs in the 4:00) a week later; inconsistency has been laid bare once again since, however, and she's unlikely to be able to dictate as much from a worse draw with pace rivalry here.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

6

20th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

18:10 Huntingdon

Remarkable Flight

10st 11lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

Low-grade mares' handicap winner at Fakenham in March (2m, good to soft) off 3lb lower but she hasn't kicked on from that in four runs since, although her latest fourth at Market Rasen (2m, good) 11 days ago was a step back in the right direction.

7/1

5th

6

20th May 2025

Good

1m 7f 171y

Class 5

18:10 Huntingdon

Remarkable Flight

10st 11lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

Low-grade mares' handicap winner at Fakenham in March (2m, good to soft) off 3lb lower but she hasn't kicked on from that in four runs since, although her latest fourth at Market Rasen (2m, good) 11 days ago was a step back in the right direction.

7/1

4th

3

9th May 2025

Good

2m 0f 125y

Class 5

14:10 Market Rasen

Remarkable Flight

11st 6lb

J: Lewis Stones

T: Jennie Candlish

led, slowed dramatically then joined 4th, headed and outpaced before 2 out, not fluent last, no chance but rallied and kept on run-in

10/1

OUR TIP

25/1

Form: 474277

Last run: 67 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Usually finds his one race a year, and April's Chelmsford near-miss off today's mark was almost it (1m); remains a bit more compelling over shorter than 1m2f, last winter's frame finishes at this trip notwithstanding.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9th

4

(1)

14th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

13:30 Lingfield (AW)

Nasim

9st 8lb

J: Luke Morris

T: Mark Pattinson

Has won his last two races, the latest over this C&D in August by 3l; interesting off this 4lb higher mark.

4/1

3

(6)

26th Aug 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

17:40 Lingfield (AW)

Nasim

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Mark Pattinson

Triple AW winner (including here) who was on a long losing run until popping up in a Windsor classified (1m2f, good) three weeks ago; had previously looked a little unlucky when second in a similar event over C&D in March; chance.

6/1

4

(7)

4th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

19:20 Windsor

Nasim

9st 9lb

J: Kieran Shoemark

T: Mark Pattinson

Triple AW scorer but is on a long losing sequence; modest fourth in classified contest at Windsor (11.5f) when last seen seven weeks ago, taking turf record to 0-12.

11/2

16/1

Form: 2-5803 D

Last run: 17 days

W: 9st 6lb

6 yo Filly

OR: 54

Form & Verdict
4-13 on Lingfield's Polytrack versus 0-16 otherwise; hasn't lived up to her name on either run here, and whilst there were excuses behind Martin Spirit last month (denied run several times) others convince more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(9)

20th Sep 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 3f 219y

Class 6

20:15 Kempton (AW)

Star Of Epsom

9st 7lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Pat Phelan

towards rear

10/1

Form: 0-0674 D

Last run: 15 days

W: 9st 9lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 57

Form & Verdict
Possible to mark up this month's near-1l C&D fourth in a rough race (hampered before halfway); wouldn't need to run anywhere close to the 103 RPR of his quick-ground Newmarket 1m2f success of 2021 to go close.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

9

(8)

7th Aug 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

16:30 Chelmsford (AW)

River Alwen

9st 2lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Craig Benton

C&D winner who scored on turf at Lingfield on his penultimate run and he wasn't suited by a tactical race at Epsom (third of four) last time; only 3lb higher than for that last success and has claims if things go to plan back on AW.

8/1

3rd

4

(3)

17th Jul 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 5

19:00 Epsom

River Alwen

9st 1lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Craig Benton

In good form prior to capitalising on the step back up in trip to win at Lingfield (1m2f, good to firm) last month; had just a short head to spare but he's only 3lb higher today and can be bang there once more.

7/2

6

(1)

28th Jun 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

18:10 Lingfield

River Alwen

8st 13lb

J: Georgia Dobie

T: Craig Benton

Running consistently well in defeat on AW this season, finishing placed at Wolverhampton on last two starts (9.4f); there's every chance this three-time turf winner will be thereabouts.

7/2

Form: 235742

Last run: 24 days

W: 9st 1lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 49

Form & Verdict
Just couldn't seal the deal in a Lingfield Polytrack classified last month (1m2f); still recorded his best RPR in almost two years, but needs to back that up; equally long since his last okay form on turf (0-14).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

(3)

15th Oct 2026

Good To Soft

0m 6f 210y

Class 6

16:55 Brighton

Rainbow Sign

8st 10lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: Mark Pattinson

Only one win to his name since August 2022 but it did come at Brighton (1m, good to firm); placed in three of his last five starts; could prove vulnerable for win purposes again.

11/2

4th

8

(3)

1st Sep 2026

Good

0m 7f 216y

Class 6

18:15 Brighton

Rainbow Sign

9st 3lb

J: Tyler Heard

T: Mark Pattinson

Hard to win with but last success was over C&D and he was a rallying third here last time in a classified race; entitled to be in the mix.

8/1

100/30

Form: -59212 D

Last run: 45 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 60

Form & Verdict
Basically back to his best lately; made all for June's Brighton 1m4f win (good to firm), but the lead was more contested when just failing over 1m2f either side of that, as is likely to be the case here also.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

4

(6)

8th Mar 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 6

17:25 Chelmsford (AW)

Corporate Raider

10st 11lb

J: Mr Ross Birkett

T: Julia & Shelley Birkett

mounted in chute, in touch with leaders on outer, weakened 4f out, tailed off

14/1

8th

5

(5)

17th Sep 2024

Good

1m 3f 198y

Class 6

15:50 Brighton

Corporate Raider

9st 9lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Julia Feilden

Had a good run of form on this course earlier in the year, winning over C&D and close second in two 1m2f runs (all on good to firm); has more on his plate today, though.

20/1

8th

3

(4)

2nd Sep 2024

Good

1m 3f 99y

Class 6

16:30 Windsor

Corporate Raider

9st 10lb

J: Dylan Hogan

T: Julia Feilden

Swallowed up at Epsom last month, having kicked clear too soon in hindsight; in good form (212) at Brighton otherwise this summer but Windsor is an unknown; first run here.

12/1

Non-runners

Lawn Ranger

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £33.80
Straight Forecast £28.53
Tricast £100.08
Trifecta £146.00

Selections

RP RATINGS:

Imperial Cult

The Times:

Corporate Raider

SPOTLIGHT:

Martin Spirit

Daily Mail:

Remarkable Flight

The Guardian:

Mrembo

Telegraph:

Nasim

POSTDATA:

Early Morning Dew

D Express:

Imperial Cult

Daily Mirror:

Imperial Cult

The Sun:

Corporate Raider

Daily Record:

Corporate Raider

The Star:

Martin Spirit