16:40 Epsom — HKJC World Pool Handicap model predictions

Popmaster (IRE)

0%

Seven wins include three on good to soft/soft; also won on AW at Kempton (1m) in February but only midfield in valuable events at Newcastle (AW) and Ascot (good) on his last two starts; however, latter effort was better than it looks having been poorly drawn.

Mister Winston (GB)

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Unraced on ground softer than good; Chester maiden (7.5f) winner who made all on Newmarket's July course last August; had been gelded when successfully repeating those tactics on his comeback at Newmarket (also 1m) in April but below that form back there at the Guineas meeting the following month; not dismissed, with Oisin Murphy sticking with him.

Thunder Roar (GB)

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Soft-ground specialist who landed a fifth success when scoring at Ayr (1m) in September; yet to get going in three starts this year but he's edging down the weights and the booking of Colin Keane catches the eye; requires monitoring in the market with every drop of rain in his favour.

Mirsky (GB)

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7yo who was 6lb lower when landing this race (good to soft) last season; this year's running is more competitive but his success in the Thirsk Hunt Cup (1m, good to firm) last month was close to a career best and he had a possible excuse when failing to back that up at York; can't be ruled out.

Nizam (FR)

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He has a similar profile to stablemate Ozat, boasting good form in France but 80-1 when down the field in that same Newbury race on his British debut; others look more likely.

Mr Swivell (GB)

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Proved progressive last year having joined this yard, winning three times (good to firm/AW) including when making all at Wolverhampton (8.5f) in July; also ran really well when second of 17 at Ascot (1m, soft; off current mark) in September but he was beaten a long way on his final start of that term and again at Lingfield on his reappearance four weeks ago; needs to put those efforts behind him but that's not out of the question.

Sterling Knight (GB)

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Versatile regarding ground and he was winning his 12th race when beating Jimmy Speaking and Final Night at Newmarket (1m, good) three weeks ago; that was a comfortable win and he has the assistance of Ryan Moore but this demands more from him (has never won off a mark this high).

Man Of La Mancha (GB)

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Gelded before winning at Windsor (good to firm) last May and finished that season with further wins at Sandown (also 1m, soft) and Newmarket (1m1f, good to firm); on the premises when he suffered chance-ending interference at Newbury last time and this tactically versatile sort is well drawn to sit handy; interesting.

Principality (IRE)

0%

Heavy-ground winner of a Glorious Goodwood handicap (1m) last July and he had dipped below that winning mark when scoring at Nottingham (8.5f, good) last time; 2lb nudge shouldn't stop him being competitive.

Stem (IRE)

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Wide-margin win (7f, heavy) on his sole start at two promised plenty and, after being campaigned over 1m2f and 1m4f, he recorded a clear career best when second of 15 over 1m at Newbury (good to soft) on his final start at three; subsequently gelded and his reappearance when beaten less than 4l at Newbury in April was perfectly respectable; unexposed and he's respected.

Celeborn (GB)

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Won on good to soft as a juvenile and reappeared with good-ground C&D success at last year's Spring meeting; that was his only start in 2025 and he made a respectable comeback despite hanging when fifth of 11 at Newbury (1m2f) three weeks ago; drops back down in trip with cheekpieces added and his best days are almost certainly ahead of him; player.

Bragbor (GB)

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He made his debut only as a 4yo but it was a winning one at Newcastle (1m); subsequently useful form on AW included another narrow win at that venue (1m2f) in August for George Scott and he went mighty close over latter C&D on stable debut in November; niggled along at various stages when seventh on his turf debut (10.5f) last month and some guesswork is involved as to whether this test will bring out the best in him.

Walsingham (IRE)

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Four-time winner who landed a third success at Pontefract (1m, good) on his penultimate start, having attracted support; also effective on a softer surface than that but it was this mark he raced from when well held at York three weeks ago and this demands a career best.

Asmen Warrior (IRE)

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Won a Salisbury maiden (1m2f, good to firm) last June when sporting first-time cheekpieces for previous yard; yet to score for current stable but he's been placed on six of those seven starts and it was a narrow defeat when second of ten at Windsor (1m, good to firm; visored) under Silvestre De Sousa latest; soft going would ask a question but he's well drawn to go forward and newly fitted blinkers might eke out more.

Hot Cash (GB)

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Acts on soft going; picked up a maiden here (7f, good) in July 2024 on his debut; fair run of form last year came to a crashing halt when virtually tailed off over C&D (good to soft) in September; subsequently gelded and he was back to near his best when second of 13 at Thirsk (1m, good) last time; far from dismissed.

Jimmy Speaking (GB)

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Acts on soft ground; better than ever this season, winning at Doncaster (good to soft) and following up at Southwell (again 7f, AW); solid second to Sterling Knight (1m, good) last time but he'll need more from the same mark.

Final Night (GB)

0%

Four-time AW winner who is 0-6 on turf but his 40-1 second of 13 at Newmarket (1m, good to firm) was a good effort in May and he backed it up when third to Sterling Knight over that C&D (good) a fortnight later; sole start on good to soft (1m2f) last year was inconclusive but he'll do well to defy this career-high mark.