17:50 Epsom Downs

Friday 5 June 2026

All13:3014:0514:4015:1516:0016:4017:1517:50

Debenhams Handicap

Off time: 17:52 | Winning time: 1m 23.23s

(2)

Dance In The Storm^h³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Oisin Murphy| T: A M Balding| OR: 96| D

15/8

Progressive in 2025 (won at Wolverhampton and Sandown) and she took another step forward after 7 months off when landing 13-runner handicap at Chester (7f) 30 days ago, overcoming a pace bias in eye-catching style. Up 6 lb but she's a major player.

Form: 14230-1

(13)

Rhoscolyn^t³⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Jason Watson| T: D O'Meara| OR: 93| CD

11/2

Landed a sixth Goodwood success in the Golden Mile last summer. Mixed bag thereafter but confirmed he retains all his ability when fifth at Thirsk in April. Not so good there last time but took this in 2021 and 2024 and now below last winning mark, while give underfoot is another plus.

Form: 0604-50

(8)

The Angel King³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Billy Loughnane| T: Ian Williams| OR: 91| D

11/1

Dual winner in France for Francis-Henri Graffard. Promise at the second time of asking for new yard when 2½ lengths sixth of 13 at Chester 30 days ago, having hopeless task from position. Not out of things if building on it.

Form: 301-706

(9)

Aurora Majesty²³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: L Morris| T: A Watson| OR: 91| CD

18/1

A three-time winner (including over C&D) in first half of 2025. Too free in cheekpieces when twelfth of 15 in handicap at Leicester (7f) final run but no surprise to see him bounce back on his return with headgear discarded.

Form: 661320-

(12)

Veblen Good³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: Rossa Ryan| T: D O'Meara| OR: 90

22/1

A fairly useful 5f winner for Karl Burke. Changed hands for 32,000 gns and made a winning start for new yard in 6-runner handicap at Pontefract (6f) 37 days ago, though helped by being held up in strongly-run race.

Form: 1/2467-1

(3)

Crimson Spirit¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Ray Dawson| T: D & C Kubler| OR: 90| CD

17/2

Completed a hat-trick over this trip last summer and resumed winning ways in 14-runner handicap at Goodwood (7f) 14 days ago by 1¼ lengths from Mister Bluebird. Good record here and needs considering despite 4 lb rise.

Form: 440-301

(10)

Colombier³⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: James Doyle| T: H Al Jehani| OR: 90| BF| D

12/1

A 4-time winner in France. Sent off 10/3 for his yard debut/first run for 16 months but proved much too free when tenth of 11 in handicap at Ascot (1m) 35 days ago. Remains handily weighted if back on song here.

Form: 6114/9-0

(6)

Mister Bluebird^p¹⁴

Age: 8| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: H Main| OR: 86| D

12/1

A dual 6f/7f scorer in 2025. Is knocking on the door this season, second of 14 to Crimson Spirit in handicap at Goodwood (7f) 14 days ago. Can go well again nudged up 1 lb.

Form: 238-022

(16)

Zarathos²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-1| J: H Crouch| T: Dylan Cunha| OR: 85| D

11/1

Arrives on the up, finally getting off the mark at Windsor in May before following up in 22-runner handicap at York (7f) 21 days ago. Up another 7 lb but this front runner is not taken lightly in his hat-trick bid.

Form: 72-0411

(11)

A War Eagle³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: Billy Garritty| T: M & D Easterby| OR: 84| D

40/1

Doubled career tally at Beverley in April and in good nick since, fifth in Thirsk Hunt Cup and 13-runner 7f handicap (behind Dance In The Storm) at Chester. This looks too tough.

Form: 20-8155

(1)

Arctic Thunder³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: K Shoemark| T: E Walker| OR: 84| D

11/1

Losing run now stretches back 2 years but did enough to suggest a return to peak form is imminent when seventh of 13 to Dance In The Storm in 7f Chester handicap 30 days ago, finishing strongly. Considered.

Form: 0434-07

(4)

Pietro³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: George Wood| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 84| CD

11/1

Twice a winner in 2025 and also landed 7f handicap at Wolverhampton in March. Backed it up with a solid third of 13 to Dance In The Storm at Chester (7f) 30 days ago.

Form: 2162-13

(15)

Monarch's Gold²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: D Egan| T: K P De Foy| OR: 93

25/1

Won 6f novices at Kempton and Southwell last autumn. Back on the up with cheekpieces quickly dispensed with when runner-up in 12-runner handicap at Chester 29 days ago. Can make presence felt with relatively few miles still on the clock.

Form: 21-5202

(7)

Musical Angel⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 8-12| J: David Probert| T: S Dow| OR: 82| CD

33/1

Signed off for Andrew Balding with C&D win in September. Changed hands for 50,000 gns and given a considerate return for new yard when fifth of 7 in handicap at Kempton (6f) 60 days ago. Can take a step forward now.

Form: 18321-5

(5)

Son²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 8-12| J: D Allan| T: T D Easterby| OR: 82| D

22/1

Winless since 2023 but in good form this season until only ninth of 11 in handicap at Newmarket (7f) 20 days ago. The sort to bounce back.

Form: 067-229

(14)

Sunny Smile^t,p1²⁷⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-2| J: Saffie Osborne| T: H Palmer| OR: 82

25/1

Gained a first win in Hamilton maiden in July and ended 2025 with a good second of 7 in nursery there (6f) in September. This step up to 7f promises to suit so he's not out of things after 9 months off with cheekpieces added.

Form: 35142-

Forecasts

Dance In The Storm (15/8), Rhoscolyn (11/2), Crimson Spirit (17/2), Zarathos (11/1), Arctic Thunder (11/1), The Angel King (11/1), Pietro (11/1), Colombier (12/1), Mister Bluebird (12/1), Aurora Majesty (18/1), Son (22/1), Veblen Good (22/1), Monarch's Gold (25/1), Sunny Smile (25/1), Musical Angel (33/1), A War Eagle (40/1)

A wide open finale but it's still hard to ignore the claims of DANCE IN THE STORM who really impressed on her return when going in at Chester and can make light of a 6 lb rise. Rhoscolyn took this in 2021 and 2024 and lurks on a dangerous mark again now so heads the list of dangers ahead of Zarathos, Mister Bluebird and Arctic Thunder.