The Racing Horse offers our insightful EPSOM RACECOURSE TEMPLATE for Saturday 4 June 2022. The sample size is small so beware of a literal interpretation. The figures below show the last 5 years, but there was only one meeting at Epsom in 2020, so in effect the last 4 years. The card contains 4 handicaps, 2 Group 3s and the DERBY. The going is currently good, good to soft in places.

EPSOM FAVOURITES (5 years) Updated...
Non-handicap                   Handicap
2yo   12-27   44%   (-3.40)	1-6     17%   (-2.75)
3yo    6-26   23%  (-13.38)    18-62    29%  (-16.41)
4yo+   6-11   55%   (+2.53)    23-95    24%  (-15.87)
TOTAL 24-64   38%  (-14.25)    42-163   26%  (-35.02)

TOP 5 TRAINERS at EPSOM last 5 seasons        +/-   E
J Boyle (9%)    13-77	 17%    +2.08         +8%   0
C Appleby (29%) 10-24    42%   +42.91        +13%   6
R Beckett (17%) 10-43	 23%    -2.92         +6%   1  
A Balding (16%)  9-73	 12%   -39.08         -4%   5
M Johnston (15%) 9-78	 12%   -26.09         -3%   5   

A O'Brien (11%)  6-47    11%    +8.10         +0%   3

TOP 5 JOCKEYS at EPSOM last 5 seasons         +/-   R
W Buick (21%)    12-50   24%   +24.28         +3%   4
S De Sousa (16%) 12-67	 18%    +3.86         +2%   4 
O Murphy (19%)   12-68	 18%   -20.79         -1%   0
J Watson (14%)    8-39	 21%    -0.21         +7%   3  
A Atzeni (16%)    8-42	 19%    +5.00         +3%   2 
 
TOP OWNERS at EPSOM last 5 seasons            +/-   E
Godolphin (24%)       12-35   34%   +36.23   +10%   6       
R Moss (13%)           7-26   27%   +26.25   +14%   1 
Moham Al Maktoum (15%) 4-20   20%    -4.75    +5%   0
Fishlake Com (21%)     3-4    75%    +9.75   +56%   0
Midtech (13%)          3-4    75%    +40.00  +62%   1

HOT TRAINERS                                  +/-   E
W Haggas (22%)     29-81   36%   +14.84      +14%   2
J & T Gosden (20%) 21-77   27%    -3.76       +7%   1
A King (12%)       13-53   25%    -0.09      +13%   1
C Appleby (29%)    11-45   24%   -14.04       -5%   6
A P O'Brien (11%)  20-84   24%    -8.50      +13%   3
C Hills (15%)      10-43   23%   +41.32       +8%   3

COLD LIST TRAINERS SAW   E
I Williams (11%)    29   4
S C Williams (12%)  28   1 

HOT JOCKEYS                                   +/-   R
R Moore (18%)   23-67   34%   +10.73         +16%   3
J Crowley (19%) 19-72   26%    +7.84          +7%   1

COLD LIST JOCKEYS SAW   R
D Probert (12%)	   30   4
R Ffrench (2%)	   29   1

Fixtures
Saturday 4 June 2022
Thursday 30 June 2022

(%): National Average  E: Entries  R: Rides

FAVOURITES: Our sample is small, though historically Epsom is not the best racecourse for winning favourites and way below the national average. The past 5 years show 64-220 for 29.09% (-47.27)

TRAINERS: Charlie Appleby (29%) has a national average of 29% and now registers 10-24 or a massive 42% (+42.91) at the course, he runs 6 tomorrow and must surely score! His runners include: BLUE TRAIL 2.00, MODERN NEWS & ZAKOUSKI 3.10, NATIONS PRIDE, WALK OF STARS & NAHAANI 4.30 

Andrew Balding (16%) and Mark Johnston (15%) both have 5 runners, Aidan O'Brien (11%) has 3 whilst John Gosden (20%) has just the 1 runner.

Michael Stoute (20%) is currently 3-9 for 33% and he has 3 runners including the Pacafi DESERT CROWN to be ridden by Richard Kingscote. Connections of Desert Crown expressed their satisfaction after the Derby favourite enjoyed an early morning workout on the Watered Gallop in Newmarket on Thursday 26 May. He raced alongside fellow Saeed Suhail-owned stablemate Solid Stone and then pulled nicely clear of the 112-rated 6yo. Bruce Raymond told us: "He went nicely and everyone is happy!"

JOCKEYS: Top jockey at the track is William Buick (21%) and he has 4 rides. Silvestre De Sousa (16%) continues to be massively underused and something we do not understand, he also has 4 runners and could strike at a big price! David Probert (12%) is currently 0-30 and we doubt he will be on the cold list too long, he has 4 rides.

OWNERS: Godolphin (24%) have 6 entries courtesy of Charlie Appleby, the suggestion is they will have a winner or go very close. Robert Moss (13%) has an entry with ARENAS DEL TIEMPO 5.15 at a big price, whilst Midtech (13%) runs MOKAATIL 3.45.

BY THE WAY: Many consider Epsom’s famous switchback course to be the ultimate test of a thoroughbred. Runners over the Derby and Oaks distance of a mile and a half face a steep uphill climb followed by a demanding turning descent, they turn right then left and, in the home straight have to overcome a pronounced camber and a stiff last furlong to the line. It ought to produce freak results but, as 250 years of history have demonstrated, Epsom invariably identifies the best colts and fillies of their generation. 

Frankie Dettori says of the Derby distance: "It's unique, like the Grand National, the Monaco Grand Prix, the Masters, Wimbledon. It's the unknown - who's going to be the best, who stays the distance, who can handle the track."

FIGURES: The trainer and jockey figures have not included yesterday's result at this stage (08.32).

EPSOM RACECOURSE CONFIGURATION

The Epsom course is 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.

JASON WEAVER on EPSOM

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

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