".... three in the book for Friday at Epsom...."

Thursday, 4th June 2026

“…. three in the book for Friday at Epsom….”

>>>>> Royal Ascot angles….

In ATC today….

…. I bring you my best picks in the Epsom handicaps on ITV on Friday….

I’m on SPOKEN TRUTH in the 3.15 – up at 12s….

…. I’m on ALFA DUPLICATE at 12s in the 1.30….

…. and I’m on HOT CASH at 16s in the 4.40….

That’s the summary….

…. you’ll find all my reasoning below – as per usual….

Oh…. and if you’re looking for the standout place terms on offer – you’ll find them in the Bet Box below….

Read on….

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…. the Nifty Fifty – Epsom – 3.15….

I’m not sure if it’s the gelding procedure he underwent in November….

…. or the change of scenery at David O’Meara’s North Yorkshire yard….

…. but since losing his tackle and leaving Dermot Weld’s yard SPOKEN TRUTH – who can be backed at 12s generally – looks a different animal….

…. running well at Doncaster, probably a little unlucky to get beaten at Ripon, and running another big race behind a progressive one at Redcar last time….

He’s up 5lb to a mark of 86….

…. but I don’t think we’ve seen the very best of him at this stage….

…. and I reckon he can rank higher….

He certainly lost his way in Ireland for Weld – who knows why….

…. but O’Meara’s got him bouncing and will hope to strike while the iron’s hot….

The trainer’s got a good record in the big handicaps run at this meeting….

…. his last 25 qualifying runners (from 2021+) produced three wins and seven additional placers….
 
Spoken Truth comes out of stall 10, he gets weight from everything else in the race, Luke Morris – who can do the 8-02 – takes the ride….

…. and the pair can run a big one….

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…. the 3yo Dash – Epsom – 1.30....

A big-field of largely unexposed handicappers thrashing it out over the fastest 5f strip in the country….

…. a lot of punters would say you’ve got all the necessary components for a complete and utter a lottery….

…. and they might be right….

…. but – at the general 12s – I’m quite happy to chance my arm and back Ivan Furtado’s ALFA DUPLICATE….

I like the booking for Silvestre De Sousa for this track….

…. he rides at 20% from 175 total runners – which is not too shabby….

…. and whilst he’s only had eight goes over the 5f strip – there is evidence to suggest it suits the more gung-ho aspects of his style….

…. he won two of the eight races in fields of 13 & 10….

…. and he finished 3/16 & 4/19 in two of the others….

His style might just suit Alfa Duplicate tomorrow….

…. the filly hung on grimly to win at Beverely last time after making all….

…. and whilst this is a very different track….

…. I think it will suit better….

The line will certainly come quicker – and De Sousa is a man to get her there asap….

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…. the HKJC World Pool – Epsom – 4.40....

Of the last nine renewals just one was won by a horse drawn in a double-figure stall….

You can do what you want with that stat….

Most punters will observe the trend and look for something drawn low….

… for me it means I maybe get a bit more juice about Jack Channon’s HOT CASH – he’s up at 16s – from stall 12….

He lost his way in the later stages of the last campaign….

…. and he was at his best earlier in the campaign – between June and the end of July – when he’d got a couple of runs under his belt….

He’s at that same stage again this time around – having looked very much like he’s coming to hand last time at Thirsk….

…. he was a bit keen early on and kept on well – just failing to catch the winner despite losing a shoe….

He’s rated 85 – his last winning mark – and his time is coming around...

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Now, just to recap….

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That’s all for today….

I’ll be back with more tomorrow….

Meantime – contact me at – nick.pullen@spapublishinggroup.co.uk

And remember – win, lose or draw – enjoy the racing….

Stay tuned….

Against the Crowd