15:15 Epsom Downs

Friday 6 June 2025

All13:3014:0514:4015:1516:0016:3517:10

Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 15:17 | Winning time: 2m 8.38s

(2)

Botanical^p1,t⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-12| J: R L Moore| T: G Boughey| OR: 108| D

10/3

Smart gelding who arrives in good nick, fifth of 8 to Military Order in 1m2f listed race at Kempton 46 days ago. Not ruled out back in handicap company with cheekpieces added.

Form: 1022-35

(5)

Mutaawid^b¹⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Jim Crowley| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 103| D

9/2

Low-mileage son of Frankel has resumed a much improved model, easy six-length winner of 1m2f handicap at Newmarket 19 days ago. Hiked up 10 lb but he's a likely player once more.

Form: 2146-51

(11)

Ecureuil Secret²²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: O J Orr| T: R A Fahey| OR: 103| BF

28/1

A fairly useful 1m winner for Eddie O'Grady who posted a solid third for his new yard in listed race at Deauville (12.4f, heavy) in October. Returns for his handicap debut and needs considering.

Form: 143323-

(7)

Defiance³⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: S De Sousa| T: R Varian| OR: 99

11/2

Winless since his debut in 2023 and he's been off the track since coming in a tailed-off last of 14 in King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot 11 months ago. Remains with potential now going into handicaps though.

Form: 16/270-

(4)

Flying Finn⁸²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: O McSweeney⁽³⁾| T: A Keatley| OR: 94

50/1

A three-time 1m scorer in 2024 who wasn't disgraced after 5 months off when eighth of 27 in 1m handicap at the Curragh in March. Possibilities after another break.

Form: 60197-8

(10)

Simply Sondheim^p²⁰⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-11| J: P Cosgrave| T: George Baker| OR: 93| CD

28/1

C&D winner in September but he was pulled up in handicap at Doncaster (11.9f) in November. Needs to hit the ground running on his seasonal return.

Form: 94851P-

(9)

Ashariba²⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-11| J: Harry Davies| T: D Menuisier| OR: 93| D

11/1

Progressive sort signed off for 2024 by completing a hat-trick in 11-runner handicap at Newmarket in October. Has a career-high mark to overcome on her return but looks to have more to offer and shouldn't be underestimated.

Form: 314111-

(3)

Have Secret^v⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Shane Gray| T: R A Fahey| OR: 91| BF| D

9/1

Ended a lengthy losing run at Ripon in April and has continued in good nick, second of 11 back there 8 days ago. Likely to go well again off the same mark.

Form: 26-0132

(6)

Akecheta¹³

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: A J Farragher| T: Kevin Coleman| OR: 89

17/2

Winless since his debut but he comes here in decent form, sixth of 18 in handicap at the Curragh (8f, good) 13 days ago. Merits consideration once more.

Form: 3244-26

(1)

Westerton²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A King| OR: 88| D

11/1

On a lengthy losing sequence but has returned with a pair of solid sixth placings in 1m2f handicaps at Goodwood and York. One for the shortlist off an easing mark.

Form: 0037-66

(12)

Warda Jamila²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Rob Hornby| T: A M Balding| OR: 88| BF| D

18/1

Turned in a rare poor effort when seventh of 9 in handicap at Chester (10.3f, good) 28 days ago. The sort to bounce back though.

Form: 6317-47

(8)

Rathgar²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-6| J: David Probert| T: J Channon| OR: 88| D

13/2

Reliable sort posted another creditable effort when third of 9 in handicap at Chester (10.3f, good) 28 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 278-523

(13)

Son Of Man⁴⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-5| J: S D Bowen| T: J R Boyle| OR: 87

40/1

It's now 13 runs since his last win in 2023 but he comes here on the back of a good second of 14 in handicap at Lingfield (10f, AW) 38 days ago. Considered despite taking a 3 lb weights rise.

Form: 766-322

Forecasts

Botanical (10/3), Mutaawid (9/2), Defiance (11/2), Rathgar (13/2), Akecheta (17/2), Have Secret (9/1), Westerton (11/1), Ashariba (11/1), Warda Jamila (18/1), Ecureuil Secret (28/1), Simply Sondheim (28/1), Son Of Man (40/1), Flying Finn (50/1)

This is highly competitive but the Gosdens' MUTAAWID created an excellent impression when a wide-margin recent scorer at Newmarket and can defy a 10 lb weights hike with relatively few miles still on the clock. Have Secret arrives in excellent nick and could emerge as the chief threat, although Botanical commands plenty of respect back in handicap company and Ashariba, Flying Finn and Westerton all need factoring in too.