20:30 Epsom Downs

Wednesday 5 July 2023

All18:2018:5019:2520:0020:3021:00

Betfred Play Fred's 5 Million Handicap

Off time: 20:32 | Winning time: 2m 12.78s

(8)

Wandering Rocks^t³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 82| D

10/3

Off the mark in 1¼m Doncaster novice last July and followed that with a couple of creditable efforts in handicap company. Didn't shape at all badly on return at Kempton and, though well held both starts over 1½m since, he may well bounce back down in the weights, class and trip here.

Form: 339-766

(1)

Sweet Reward¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-10| J: Rob Hornby| T: J G Portman| OR: 81| D

9/4

Losing run stretches back to September 2021 but he's posted a number of solid efforts in defeat during the intervening period, not least when just touched off at Newbury (1¼m, good to firm) in May. Not in the same form at Sandown since but back down 2 lb and he's not without hope.

Form: 50-8525

(5)

Enough Already⁴³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-6| J: Tom Marquand| T: L Carter| OR: 77| D

13/2

Returned to form when accounting for 6 rivals over a mile on the AW at Lingfield in May. Not disgraced back on turf at Brighton since and return to this trip may not be a bad thing, plus he has the assistance of William Buick, but others preferred all the same.

Form: 4-85915

(3)

At Liberty²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: M L W Bell| OR: 73| D

9/2

Back-to-back winner of handicaps over this trip last term and, having shaped better than bare result on a couple of occasions during the spring, he got back on the scoresheet at Haydock (10.2f, good to firm) last time. 3 lb rise fair enough and no surprise if he's in the shake-up.

Form: 15-6371

(4)

The Conqueror⁵¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-1| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 72| D

12/1

Yet to get his head in front on these shores and while he didn't shape badly on return/debut for new yard on the AW in April, his subsequent efforts have not been particularly encouraging. Yard also saddles Nonsuch Lad.

Form: 455-477

(9)

Dotties Star⁴¹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Paddy Bradley⁽³⁾| T: P Phelan| OR: 70

14/1

Fair form in a trio of bumpers and, though comfortably held in 3 starts in this sphere at up to 8.5f, improvement may well be forthcoming now that he moves up in trip for this handicap debut.

Form: 458

(10)

Nonsuch Lad²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: Aidan Keeley⁽⁵⁾| T: J R Boyle| OR: 66| D

6/1

Bagged a couple of handicaps over this trip last season and arrives here on the back of creditable efforts at Sandown and Goodwood. Has his quirks but the ability is certainly there and he has to enter calculations.

Form: 514-434

Non-Runners

(6)

Wonder Starelzaam²⁸

Weight: 9-7| Age: 5

T: D J Coakley J: George Bass

(2)

Balgair³⁶

Weight: 9-3| Age: 9

T: Tom Clover J: Tom Marquand

(7)

Eklil¹¹

Weight: 9-1| Age: 4

T: Rae Guest J: Rossa Ryan

Forecasts

Sweet Reward (9/4), Wandering Rocks (10/3), Eklil (7/2), At Liberty (9/2), Balgair (11/2), Nonsuch Lad (6/1), Enough Already (13/2), Wonder Starelzaam (10/1), The Conqueror (12/1), Dotties Star (14/1)

It could be worth chancing WANDERING ROCKS, who is now 8 lb lower compared to when beaten less than 3 lengths on his reappearance at Kempton and this drop back in trip looks a good move having struggled at the business end in 1½m handicaps since. Last-time-out winners Eklil and At Liberty are live dangers, while Nonsuch Lad is another to consider. Also worthy of mention is Dotties Star, who hasn't shown much in maiden/novice company but is likely to be seen in a better light now handicapping.