Epictetus can take Epsom Trial by storm

Epictetus could offer some early Classic insight in the Weatherbys Digital Solutions Blue Riband Trial at Epsom.

John and Thady Gosden’s charge brings the very strongest form to the table, having chased home 2000 Guineas and Derby favourite Auguste Rodin in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on his final run last term.

The son of Kingman was beaten three and a half lengths by last season’s star juvenile, with the Gosden runner meeting a bit of trouble in running, although it did not impact on the overall result, with Auguste Rodin having plenty in hand.

Epictetus’ penultimate start was also out of the top drawer, running subsequent Breeders’ Cup second Silver Knott to a neck in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket.

While this colt might struggle to see out the 12 furlongs of the Derby, for which he is already entered, this mile and a quarter should just about be in his remit.

It could be a profitable afternoon for the Gosden team, with Harrovian taken to defy the burden of top-weight in the Betfred City And Suburban Handicap.

The seven-year-old has not managed to get his head in front since the autumn of 2021, but has been in good form on the all-weather.

He was not disgraced when finishing fourth behind multiple Group One-winning stablemate Lord North on his penultimate start and was last seen finishing third in the Easter Classic at Newcastle.

Harrovian has his sights lowered on his return to the turf, reverting to handicap company for the first time in almost two years, and a bold bid is anticipated.

Kape Moss warmed up for the opening Indigenous Handicap with an all-weather win at Southwell last month.

She came from last to first that day, beating Angle Land by a head, and a 3lb rise might not be enough to stop her.

Beelzebub catches the eye as he returns to turf in the Quinnbet Acca Bonus Handicap at Yarmouth.

He finished a well-beaten fifth on his only turf outing to date, when making his debut at the back end of last season at Newbury.

James Ferguson’s runner has since won two of three spins on the all-weather and as a relation of Winter Power among others, he has the pedigree to rise through the ranks a bit from here.

Kalpaga rates the best bet over the sticks at Ffos Las.

The Tim Vaughan-trained seven-year-old had hinted at ability on a couple of occasions, but took her game to another level when bolting up by 10 lengths at Hereford recently.

The handicapper has handed her an 11lb rise, but she may well be capable of following up in the Oil 4 Wales Mares’ Handicap Hurdle.