13:35 Epsom Downs

Tuesday 22 April 2025

All13:3514:1014:4515:2015:5516:2517:00

Betfred Handicap

Off time: 13:35 | Winning time: 55.73s

(4)

Spartan Arrow^p1²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 92| BF| D

11/2

Won twice in 2023 and though confined to just the one run last year, it was a fine effort that he produced to finish third in a competitive, big-field York handicap. Off the mark at second attempt for new yard on the AW last month and wasn't beaten far at Musselburgh since. Cheekpieces applied.

Form: 51/3-914

(1)

Michaela's Boy⁴¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: S M Levey| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 89| D

8/1

Good strike rate on AW (4-13), adding to his tally with back-to-back 5f handicaps during the winter. Didn't do much wrong when third to Spartan Arrow at Wolverhampton last time (only beaten a length there and now 3 lb better off with that rival) but his record on turf (1-17) is not so compelling.

Form: 21-1383

(5)

Almaty Star^p¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Billy Loughnane| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 87| D

9/1

Opened turf account off 9 lb lower in a small-field Goodwood handicap (5f, good) last term and in good form on AW since returning from a break in January, including when beaten a whisker by Spartan Arrow at Wolverhampton last month (now 1 lb better off with the winner). One to consider.

Form: 28-2123

(7)

Jumbeau^p⁶⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-4| J: Jack Callan⁽⁷⁾| T: Tom Clover| OR: 85| D

13/2

Belatedly added to 2-y-o debut success when seeing off 4 rivals in a Class 2 Windsor handicap (5f, good to firm) last May. Solid fifth in a strong contest at Haydock on final run of last term and, having performed with credit in a couple of spins on the AW earlier this year, she's not ruled out.

Form: 7835-44

(3)

Twilight Fun^b⁶⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Joey Haynes| T: C Banham| OR: 83| D

12/1

Scored on turf debut at Yarmouth (6f, good to firm) last spring and since won 3 times on AW, including in first-time blinkers (retained) over 5f at Chelmsford on latest start in February. Unexposed on turf but 7 lb rise for latest success could be enough to find him out now upped in class.

Form: 01124-1

(8)

Fidelius⁴⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: R M H Cowell| OR: 83| D

11/2

Made it 3 wins from 7 AW starts when making all in 5-runner Chelmsford handicap (5f) on return last month. Though yet to strike on turf, he was a fine second on soft ground (also effective on good/good to firm) at York on final 2024 appearance and he could be the pick of his yard's trio of runners.

Form: 41202-1

(11)

One Night Stand⁷³

Age: 8| Weight: 9-1| J: R Kingscote| T: S Dixon| OR: 82| D

11/1

It's been the thick end of 4 years since he last hit the target on turf and looks held by some of these judged on AW exploits during the winter.

Form: 586-726

(10)

Existent⁴⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-12| J: Warren Fentiman⁽⁵⁾| T: S C Williams| OR: 79| D

10/1

Hasn't always been the most reliable but, to his credit, he ran more good races than bad ones last term and has held his form well on the AW in recent months. Conversely, his current losing run stands at 37 and, chances are, he will again find one or two too strong.

Form: 2-33432

(9)

Faustus^p¹⁹⁰

Age: 7| Weight: 8-9| J: David Probert| T: R Cook & J Bridger| OR: 76| D

28/1

Successful at Nottingham for Robert Cowell last June and also struck on second run for present connections over 5f at Newbury 2 months later. However, ended 2024 campaign on a downer and his record when fresh doesn't augur well.

Form: 631396-

(6)

El Bufalo^b,t²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-9| J: D Egan| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 76| BF| D

12/1

Added to his 2-y-o success when swift off the blocks and leading all the way at Chelmsford in February. However, he has come up short both subsequent 2 starts and he was safely held on sole previous turf start.

Form: 536145

(2)

The Coffee Pod¹³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Joe Leavy⁽³⁾| T: R Hannon| OR: 74| D

5/1

Only managed to get his head in front once from 17 appearances in 2024 but that win was gained off a 1 lb higher mark at York in July and he made the frame on several other occasions. Gelded subsequent to a creditable effort on the AW when last seen in December and he's not without each-way hope.

Form: 054243-

Forecasts

The Coffee Pod (5/1), Spartan Arrow (11/2), Fidelius (11/2), Jumbeau (13/2), Michaela's Boy (8/1), Almaty Star (9/1), Existent (10/1), One Night Stand (11/1), Twilight Fun (12/1), El Bufalo (12/1), Faustus (28/1)

Two of the three Robert Cowell-trained contenders are expected to come to the fore with FIDELIUS, who looked better than ever when scoring in decisive fashion on his reappearance at Chelmsford, taken to get the better of stablemate Almaty Star. One who could go well at a decent price is Jumbeau, who figures on a workable mark judged on the pick of her 2024 form, while The Coffee Pod is also accorded respect.