16:15 Epsom Downs

Saturday 7 June 2025

All13:0013:3514:1014:4515:3016:1517:0017:40

Encore Lifestyle Northern Dancer Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 2m 41.33s

(14)

Maxi King²¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: D Egan| T: Raphael Freire| OR: 100| D

14/1

Successful on sole start in 2023 and began last season with a bang, winning handicaps at Ripon/Newmarket. Largely struggled thereafter before a respectable eighth in November Handicap on final start at Doncaster and whilst he has little in hand from this mark, his record fresh is a definite plus.

Form: 140568-

(7)

Valvano^p1³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 97

7/2

Low-mileage 4-y-o who ended last term with a good fifth in the November Handicap and, tackling quicker ground than previously, returned with a creditable fourth of 11 in handicap at Goodwood (9.9f) 5 weeks ago. Unexposed at 1½m and respected with cheekpieces on for the first time.

Form: 1/2335-4

(6)

Miller Spirit^p¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Rhys Clutterbuck| T: G & J Moore| OR: 94| CD

20/1

Had an exceptional year in 2024, winning 5 times on the Flat (twice over C&D) and once over hurdles. Stepped up on his reappearance run when sixth of 8 in handicap at Goodwood (14f) 2 weeks ago but he'll need to step up again on that if he's to defy this mark here. Cheekpieces back on.

Form: 1116-06

(11)

Great Bedwyn²⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 91| D

25/1

Useful handicapper who returned from 6 months off at the top of his game when winning 14-runner handicap at York (11.8f, good) 24 days ago. This is undoubtedly tougher up in class from 4 lb higher but his overall consistency will stand him in good stead. Each-way claims.

Form: 36892-1

(10)

Asgard's Captain⁴⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 91| CD

4/1

Has done really well since joining present yard last winter and took his form up a notch with an impressive success in 11-runner C&D handicap 46 days ago. Career-high mark to contend with now but he's another fancied to be thereabouts with Oisin Murphy aboard. Third in this 12 months ago.

Form: 342601

(5)

Candyman Stan²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: Jason Watson| T: A M Balding| OR: 90| D

8/1

Progressive 4-y-o who kicked off his campaign with success at Brighton (11.9f) in April and had little trouble defying a 7 lb higher mark when following up at Lingfield (11.6f) the following month, dominating from the front. Likely he'll go well again for all this is much deeper.

Form: 4317-11

(4)

Fouroneohfever^p1²²

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: Billy Loughnane| T: G Boughey| OR: 89| BF| D

18/1

Rattled off a quick-fire AW/turf hat-trick in handicaps last spring before a good fourth in big field Royal Ascot handicap. Returned to that sort of form when third at Chester (10.3f) on penultimate start last month and filled same spot at Newmarket (12f) latest. First-time cheekpieces go on now.

Form: 488-033

(12)

Night Breeze²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 8-10| J: David Probert| T: Ian Williams| OR: 87| D

16/1

Completed a hat-trick of wins in middle-distance handicaps last summer and clearly sharper for his reappearance when running out a clear winner of what looked a warm race on paper at Ascot (12f, firm) 28 days ago. 7 lb rise makes things that bit tougher but fancied to give another good account.

Form: 1324-41

(8)

Dream Harder⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 8-8| J: L Morris| T: Ian Williams| OR: 85| D

22/1

Eased below last winning mark and he duly capitalised having been well drawn when winning 10-runner handicap at Chester (12.3f) 7 days ago. Nudged up only 2 lb and has form at this trip but surprise where he not to find a few too strong.

Form: 633081

(13)

Torcello^b²²⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 8-7| J: Joe Leavy| T: S Lycett| OR: 84| C| D

50/1

Course winner who was suited by conditions when making all in a small field on his return at Pontefract last season. However, didn't really go on from that, well beaten when last seen at Newbury in October and this looks a tough enough ask on return with ground possibly quicker than ideal.

Form: 5/13937-

(1)

Vice President²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 8-7| J: Warren Fentiman⁽⁵⁾| T: R Hughes| OR: 84

20/1

10f maiden winner for Aidan O'Brien last summer who hasn't threatened in 2 starts for new yard this spring. 3¼ lengths fourth of 5 to Candyman Stan in handicap at Lingfield (11.6f) 28 days ago. Mark has eased a little more and promising pilot takes off a handy 5 lb so not one to write off.

Form: 321-64

(15)

Beauld As Brass²²

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: Harry Davies| T: George Baker| OR: 84| D

50/1

Quirky sort who has thrived in recent months, bringing up a quick-fire 4-timer at Leicester (11.8f) 2 starts back. Latest Newbury third was no backward step in a much more competitive affair but his tendency to blow the start has to be a concern in a race of this nature.

Form: 2-11113

(2)

Small Fry²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-6| J: Ashley Lewis⁽⁷⁾| T: G & J Moore| OR: 83| CD

9/4

3-time winner last season (including over C&D) and continued his progress this spring, third back here prior to resuming winning ways at Chester (12.3f) 29 days ago, pulling clear with runner-up. Career-high mark to defy now but his effectiveness for this sort of test an obvious plus. Respected.

Form: 1122-31

(16)

Something^p⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 8-4| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Jedd O'Keeffe| OR: 80| D

33/1

Productive end to 2024 on the AW, winning twice and also runner-up as many times. Clearly sharper for a recent run and capitalised on the drop into class 5 company when opening his account on turf at Ripon (12f) 9 days ago but a lot more on his plate in this field.

Form: 622-461

Non-Runners

(17)

Sam Hawkens²⁷

Weight: 8-11| Age: 4

T: W J Haggas J: Tom Marquand

(9)

Galactic Charm⁶⁹

Weight: 8-4| Age: 4

T: G & J Moore J: Laura Pearson

(3)

Paradoxical⁷

Weight: 8-4| Age: 4

T: J Candlish J: K T O'Neill

Forecasts

Small Fry (9/4), Valvano (7/2), Asgard's Captain (4/1), Sam Hawkens (7/1), Candyman Stan (8/1), Maxi King (14/1), Night Breeze (16/1), Fouroneohfever (18/1), Miller Spirit (20/1), Vice President (20/1), Dream Harder (22/1), Great Bedwyn (25/1), Galactic Charm (25/1), Something (33/1), Torcello (50/1), Beauld As Brass (50/1), Paradoxical (50/1)

VALVANO is very lightly raced for his age and, following 6 months off, posted a creditable fourth in handicap at Goodwood (9.9f) 5 weeks ago. A rangy sort who appeals as the type to be suited by the step back up to 1½m, he could be the answer with first-time cheekpieces now applied. C&D winner Small Fry improved again when successful at Chester recently and he's a threat. Fellow improving pair Candyman Stan and Sam Hawkens are others to consider, along with the likeable Asgard's Captain.