July 02 / 18.20 Epsom

18.20

Good

Betfred ‘Bet Builder’ Apprentice Handicap (Jockey Club Grassroots Middle Distance Series Qualifier)

  • Prize money: £4448.9
  • 1m 2f 17y
  • Class 5
  • 7 runners
RTV
View Course
Betfred ‘Bet Builder’ Apprentice Handicap (Jockey Club Grassroots Middle Distance Series Qualifier)

Runners: 7 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Showers

7/2

Form: 642-44

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 12lb

4 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Very close fourth on handicap/seasonal debut at Kempton (1m, AW) in May and again ran well when filling the same position at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) three weeks ago; this lightly raced 4yo can give another good account and perhaps the first-time cheekpieces will eke out something extra.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

12th

7

(14)

27th May 2026

Standard To Slow

1m 0f 0y

Class 5

17:25 Kempton (AW)

Tex

9st 11lb

J: Harry Vigors

T: George Baker

Very pleasing return from 275-day break at Leicester this month; lacked a change of gear at Newmarket (also 7f) subsequently and returning to 1m looks in his favour; draw hasn't been kind, though.

15/2

3rd

2

(8)

16th May 2026

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

17:10 Newmarket

Tex

10st 0lb

J: Kyle McHugh

T: George Baker

0-9 but consistent last year and may well have made a winning reappearance at Leicester (7f, good to firm) last Saturday but for blowing the start (hasn't tended to be an issue in the past); key player.

5/2

2nd

5

(6)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

0m 7f 0y

Class 5

19:25 Leicester

Tex

9st 6lb

J: Jack Dace

T: George Baker

Proved reliable without winning in 2025, signing off with a good third of nine in 1m Nottingham handicap in August; remains low mileage so not out of things on his seasonal return.

11/1

OUR TIP

Form: -52461 D

Last run: 18 days

W: 9st 12lb

5 yo Gelding

OR: 68

Form & Verdict
Has run some good races this year and he made all under Mason Paetel when back up in trip at Leicester (1m2f, good to firm) last month; the third and fourth have both won since and he's firmly in calculations up just 3lb.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

7

(8)

18th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:20 Lingfield

Bobacious

9st 0lb

J: Ashley Lewis

T: Mark Hoad

Four wins for two previous yards came from the front, three round undulating courses; finished last season on a downswing, though, and sold for 1,000gns since; there's nothing to suggest he's best caught fresh.

12/1

2

(6)

18th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Bobacious

9st 11lb

J: Mason Paetel

T: Ed Dunlop

Campaigned on turf this term for new yard; had a good spell in June/July but has proved disappointing in two starts since; beaten favourite in last two AW attempts and now 3lb higher.

8/1

Form: 442652

Last run: 5 days

W: 9st 10lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 66

Form & Verdict
His losing sequence goes back 16 races to April 2024 and he was soundly beaten behind Bobacious at Leicester last month, but he left that behind to go close at Doncaster (1m2f, good to firm) last Friday; one to consider.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

3

(8)

26th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 37y

Class 6

16:30 Bath

Annexation

9st 3lb

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Tony Carroll

Won twice on turf in the autumn of 2025, including C&D; well handicapped on that form and his last two efforts have been respectable; should go well with Rossa Ryan up for the first time.

4/1

4th

2

(6)

17th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 0f 0y

Class 6

19:52 Bath

Annexation

9st 7lb

J: Dougie Costello

T: Tony Carroll

Eight-time winner, with six on the Flat and two over hurdles; had some struggles during the winter but he showed signs of a revival at Wolverhampton (fourth of 12) last month and is now 5lb lower than for his win at Nottingham in the autumn (1m2f); handles most ground and has possibilities if he gets a good pace back at this trip.

7/2

4th

13

(2)

30th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 4

18:30 Wolverhampton (AW)

Annexation

8st 5lb

J: Jack Doughty

T: Tony Carroll

Eight-time winner but a 10yo now and opposable on this winter's exploits.

33/1

Form: 635465 CD

Last run: 13 days

W: 9st 9lb

9 yo Gelding

OR: 65

Form & Verdict
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.
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

11/1

Form: -33285

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 7lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 63

Form & Verdict
In fair form on AW early this year and he's also effective on turf; however, he's failed to threaten on his two outings for this stable and needs to raise his game if he's to record a first win at the 18th attempt.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6

(1)

18th Oct 2025

Standard

1m 1f 104y

Class 5

18:00 Wolverhampton (AW)

Fihrayn

9st 6lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Jim Boyle

Belatedly opened his account in Chelmsford contest (1m2f) in August; couple of subsequent defeats confirm his limitations and take strike-rate to just 1-23; not the percentage call.

14/1

7th

2

(7)

18th Sep 2025

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 219y

Class 5

19:45 Kempton (AW)

Fihrayn

10st 1lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Jim Boyle

Off the mark at the 21st attempt in an amateur riders' race at Chelmsford (1m2f, Polytrack) last month, but only fifth of nine behind Royal Pleasure at Lingfield (1m2f, Polytrack) 15 days ago; these conditions may suit him better having been placed in one go over this C&D.

7/1

5

(9)

3rd Sep 2025

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 5

14:35 Lingfield (AW)

Fihrayn

9st 5lb

J: Paddy Bradley

T: Jim Boyle

Off the mark at the 21st attempt when readily seeing off six rivals in an amateurs' race at Chelmsford 13 days ago; up 3lb but comes here at the top of his game.

2/1

Form: 83-764 CD

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 5lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 61

Form & Verdict
Won off this mark over C&D last September and he's worth a second look now back here; however, he's failed to shine on his three starts this year so has something to prove; unproven on fast ground.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(3)

30th Apr 2026

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 6

18:10 Lingfield (AW)

Imperial Cult

9st 4lb

J: Neil Callan

T: George Baker

Won three times in the summer of 2024, including twice over C&D; several good runs in defeat last year and he starts out for George Baker (same owner) off a competitive mark; one to consider.

5/1

3

(2)

4th Nov 2025

Standard

1m 7f 169y

Class 6

14:40 Lingfield (AW)

Imperial Cult

9st 12lb

J: Jack Callan

T: Rachel Cook & John Bridger

Record is 3-35; couple of third-place finishes since wearing blinkers, latest at Newbury when stepped back up to 2m (usually races over middle distances); could go well in the retained headgear.

12/1

20/1

Form: 889-77 CD

Last run: 29 days

W: 9st 2lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 58

Form & Verdict
C&D winner who continues to drop down the weights; however, he's struggled on his five outings since last July and a major turnaround is needed.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7

(2)

2nd Jul 2025

Good

1m 2f 17y

Class 5

18:20 Epsom

Ectocross

9st 2lb

J: Jack Dace

T: Simon Dow

C&D winner who continues to drop down the weights; however, he's struggled on his five outings since last July and a major turnaround is needed.

20/1

7

(5)

3rd Jun 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

18:15 Lingfield (AW)

Ectocross

9st 1lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Simon Dow

Won three times in 2023, including here over 1m2f, but he's not been in the same form in four starts since being gelded; possibly needed the outing over 1m at Kempton last time and now steps back up to 1m4f, which should suit, with better needed.

20/1

7

(5)

3rd Jun 2025

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 5

18:15 Lingfield (AW)

Ectocross

9st 1lb

J: Harry Davies

T: Simon Dow

Won three times in 2023, including here over 1m2f, but he's not been in the same form in four starts since being gelded; possibly needed the outing over 1m at Kempton last time and now steps back up to 1m4f, which should suit, with better needed.

20/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.10
Straight Forecast £4.04
Trifecta £15.40

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Bobacious

The Times:

Tex

D Express:

Annexation

Daily Mail:

Imperial Cult

RP RATINGS:

Early Morning Dew

The Guardian:

Tex

POSTDATA:

Bobacious

NEWMARKET:

Bobacious

Telegraph:

Bobacious

The Sun:

Bobacious

The Star:

Bobacious

Daily Record:

Bobacious

Daily Mirror:

Annexation