EPSOM FAVOURITES (5 years)
Non-handicap                  Handicap
2yo   12-27	44%   -2.95   2-6	33%    +1.00
3yo    9-24	38%   -3.98   22-66	33%    -8.30
4yo+   4-10	40%   -0.76   24-94	26%   -10.51
TOTAL 25-61	41%   -7.69   48-166	29%   -17.81

TOP 5 TRAINERS at Epsom last 5 years         +/-   E
J Boyle (9%)	17-116	 15%	 -6.08       +6%   4  
A Balding (15%)	15-84	 18%	-23.22       +3%   4   
C Appleby (29%)	10-28	 36%	+24.29       +7%   2  
R Beckett (17%)	 8-44	 18%	-10.67       +1%   3  
G Moore (11%)    7-40    18%    +22.95       +7%   0

HOT TRAINERS 03/05/2023 to 01/06/2023        +/-   E
J & T Gosden (22%) 21-79   27%	 +23.62      +5%   4
A O'Brien (13%)	   20-77   26%	  -5.75     +13%   4
R Beckett (17%)	   18-84   21%	  -7.22      +4%   3
A Haynes (13%)	   11-52   21%	  -5.19      +8%   1

COLD LIST TRAINERS   SAW                           E
W Knight (11%)	      36  119 days                 1
K Ryan (12%)	      22   12 days                 2
T Dascombe (12%)      20   30 days                 1
D M Simcock (13%)     20   12 days                 1
A Murphy (10%)        19    7 days                 2

TOP 5 JOCKEYS at Epsom last 5 years          +/-   R 
W Buick (23%)	 16-60	 27%	+19.16       +4%   4  
O Murphy (19%)	 11-55	 20%	 -9.16       +1%   6   
J Hart (12%)	 7-29	 24%	+11.95      +12%   0  
C Fallon (12%)	 7-38	 18%	 -1.87       +6%   0   
T Marquand (15%) 7-50	 14%	 -4.61       -1%   0 

HOT JOCKEYS 03/05/2023 to 01/06/2023         +/-   R
R Moore (18%)   23-77	 30%	 -0.97      +12%   5
F Dettori (23%) 8-28	 29%	+10.61       +6%   2
N Callan (15%)  14-62	 23%	 -3.31       +8%   4   

COLD LIST JOCKEYS   SAW                            R
G Dobie (9%)	     31     32 days                1
S Heffernan (6%)     32     18 days                1
M Ghiani (15%)	     23     11 days                1

TOP 5 OWNERS at Epsom last 5 years           +/-   E
Godolphin (25%)    11-37   30%   +17.54      +5%   3 
Robert Moss (12%)  6-27    22%   +13.75     +10%   0   
M Mariscotti (19%) 4-10    40%   +17.33     +21%   1  
Inside Track (11%) 4-19    21%    -4.16     +10%   1  
Run Away Rac (33%) 3-3    100%   +11.50     +67%   0   

Next fixtures
Friday 2 June 2023
Saturday 3 June 2023

EPSOM RACECOURSE: Left-handed, undulating, 'U' shaped course, with tight bends. Races up to eight and a half furlongs are very sharp, meaning those ridden prominently hold an advantage, particularly on the five-furlong course, the fastest in the world, which is virtually downhill throughout. Conversely, the first four furlongs of the Derby course are uphill and it provides a real test of stamina, anything over racing in the early part of the race usually found wanting in the closing stages. In testing conditions, the runners tend to switch towards the stands-side rail for the better ground.

FAVOURITES: The sample is small so beware of a literal translation though all numbers have value. Over the past 5 years winning favourites at Epsom show 73-227 for a strike rate of 32.16% and a level stake loss of -£25.50 to a £1 stake.

TRAINERS: Once again our sample size is too small in regard to top trainer at the track, but Jim Boyle (9%) currently holds the number one position and has 4 runners, he might find this meeting tough however. He competes against Andrew Balding (15%) who has 4 runners, Charlie Appleby (29%) who has 2, and Ralph Beckett (17%) has 3 and of course Aidan O'Brien (13%) visits with 4 runners. Please note his national average in GB is 13% and 20% in Ireland.

TRAINER COLD LIST: William Knight is in the doldrums. He has a national average of 11% but is now 0-17 in the past 14 days and 0-36 over a period of 120 days. This current year shows 3-42 for just 7% though he does score 4-16 for 25% (+0.00) at Epsom over the past 5 years, he has one runner tomorrow with place claims in DUAL IDENTITY 3.45 with Neil Callan riding.

JOCKEYS:  William Buick (23%) has 4 rides tomorrow at Epsom, Oisin Murphy (19%) has 6 rides, and Ryan Moore (18%) has 5 rides. One imagines winners coming from this trio!

OWNERS: Godolphin (25%) have 3 runners at Epsom tomorrow and an interesting runner at Chepstow, they include HURRICANE LANE 3.10, HONITON 3.45, WILD HURRICANE 4.15 Chepstow & ETERNAL HOPE 4.30.

RED FLAG: Something strange/unusual? Saeed bin Suroor has raced just 10 horses in the UK this current year and won with 3 of them (+9.31), and included in those figures are a second and a third placing. He sends a 5yo Dubawi gelding WILD HURRICANE 4.15 to Chepstow to race in a Class 5 Maiden. The fact this horse is still in training with just 2 runs on the clock suggests there have been problems with him but that he retains ability, This beaten favourite last time out has been found a very weak race to break his maiden tag.

What does Godolphin tell us about their entry: Half-brother to 5 winners inc Switching (1m1f; RPR 104), Flowrider (1m; 104), Dubai Tradition (1m4f; 97) and Mazagran (1m inc dirt; 96); close-up third in 1m4f novices stakes at Wolverhampton on belated debut in November 2022; slightly disappointing in the context of that first run when modest third (beaten nearly 15l by winner) over 1m4f at Wolverhampton in April.

The important words from their comments are 'slightly disappointing' especially given he was made the 10/11 favourite last time out. The plot thickens and the water muddies. Jockey Stefano Cherchi (10%) has been booked to ride and he is currently 0-93 over a period of 146 days, though 3-8 for 38% (+9.91) at Chepstow and when he combines with this trainer they record 8-39 for 21% (-12.23). This is Cherchi's only ride so a great chance to break his horrible losing run!

Balance is at a premium for a horse racing around Epsom and it’s not merely a question of size. Big ones and small ones have it - and some just don’t. Whatever they’re like physically, though, they need to handle the hills, turns and cambers, as this track tests every muscle. Runners really get rolling round Tattenham Corner and, while people say suspect stayers can last home over middle distances, I reckon you have to stay the trip thoroughly to win. A sure-footed speedster is needed for the sprints - Jason Weaver