19:58 Epsom Downs

Wednesday 2 July 2025

All18:2018:5019:2319:5820:3021:00

Betfred 'The Classic Bookmaker' Handicap (GBBPlus Race)

Off time: 20:02 | Winning time: 2m 38.3s

(2)

Big Bear Hug^p²⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 10-4| J: P Cosgrave| T: J R Boyle| OR: 82| C| D

13/2

Course winner who ended last season in good form and returned for new yard as good as ever when winning 6-runner handicap (5/2) at Goodwood (12f, good) 26 days ago, just holding on. Record here is a solid one and another good showing seems highly likely.

Form: 52823-1

(3)

Vaynor¹⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-12| J: Billy Loughnane| T: C Hills| OR: 76| D

16/1

Landed a Thirsk handicap off a 6 lb higher mark in September 2023. Lightly campaigned since, and he ran to a similar level as on reappearance in race not run to suit when seventh of 10 in handicap at Sandown (14f) 18 days ago, not ideally placed. Not one to write off.

Form: 9/637-47

(4)

Graham^b¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: T P Queally| T: G & J Moore| OR: 75| D

33/1

Fairly useful on the level but hasn't bettered modest form over hurdles for this yard this year and his latest last of 9 in handicap at Goodwood (12f, good to firm) 12 days ago was a pretty subdued display. Blinkers quickly go back on now.

Form: 1/0342-9

(6)

Sudu²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Ray Dawson| T: R Varian| OR: 75

4/5

Well-bred sort who produced his best effort to date and looked unlucky not to finish much closer when good fourth of 12 on handicap debut at Newbury (12f, good to firm) 20 days ago, repeatedly meeting with trouble. That marked him down as one to be interested in and there's more to come.

Form: 54-54

(7)

Pappa Louis^t1,v²⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: Pierre-Louis Jamin| T: Tom Dascombe| OR: 74

14/1

7f winner at 2 yrs who showed improved form when runner-up at Chester (10.3f) on penultimate start. 7-day turnaround may have found him out when sixth of 8 in handicap at Musselburgh (9f) 25 days ago and a tongue tie is now added. Fancied to bounce back.

Form: 18-9426

(5)

Navid^p²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Harry Charlton| OR: 63

11/4

Little impact in maidens but found improvement in line with step up in trip/cheekpieces fitted when third of 12 in handicap at Newbury (12f, good to firm, 16/1) 20 days ago. Had re-opposing Sudu a place behind him then and whilst respected, he wouldn't be certain to confirm those placings here.

Form: 708-863

Non-Runners

(1)

Golden Circet⁵¹

Weight: 9-11| Age: 5

T: J & S Best J: K Shoemark

Forecasts

Sudu (4/5), Navid (11/4), Golden Circet (5/1), Big Bear Hug (13/2), Pappa Louis (14/1), Vaynor (16/1), Graham (33/1)

SUDU produced his best effort to date and looked unlucky not to finish considerably closer having met with trouble at a crucial stage when fourth on handicap debut at Newbury 3 weeks ago. That marked him down as one to be very interested in moving forward and he can confirm the promise of that effort and come out on top. Fellow 3-y-o's Navid and Pappa Louis may emerge next best, whilst likeable mare Big Bear Hug is certainly not out of things either.