17:20 Epsom — HKJC World Pool Northern Dancer Handicap (GBBPlus Race) model predictions

Spinning Wheel (GB)

0%

Unraced as a juvenile but now boasts 3-6 record, winning his first two and back on the scoresheet when making all at Leicester (1m4f, good to soft) in October; bumped into a quite well-regarded sort when second at Goodwood (1m6f, good) a fortnight ago and this unexposed 4yo looks a big contender to build on that encouraging return.

Military Academy (GB)

0%

1m4f AW Listed winner (also acts on good to soft and softer) for the Gosdens but he left that yard under a cloud in the autumn; rediscovered some form at 1m2f on AW this winter but he's been below par on his last three starts; soft ground would enhance his cause but others are more solid.

Regal Ulixes (GB)

0%

Won on soft (1m) as a 2yo; gelded after just two starts last year (included 1m2f win) and he scored off 5lb lower on AW in February; various excuses in three subsequent outings when he frequently looked as though this step back up in trip is well worth another go; respected.

Lord Melbourne (IRE)

0%

Won 23-runner November Handicap (1m4f, soft) in 2024 and he's 2-3 here (1m2f and 1m4f) including a win on good to soft last September; those are the clear positives but he's been poor in three starts at 1m2f (snow/AW/good) this year; has a tempting mark if he can stage a revival, so needs a market check.

Dancing In Paris (FR)

0%

He hasn't won since August 2024 but ran some fine races in defeat last season, including when second of 14 at Glorious Goodwood (1m6f, good to soft) in August; those efforts have ensured his mark is holding up, however, and he makes his comeback over a trip probably short of his best these days.

Asgard's Captain (IRE)

0%

Track regular who finished third in this race (good to soft) in 2024 and stayed on from the rear to be fourth in last year's edition; also won last season's Great Metropolitan over C&D (good) and got back in the winning groove when taking Newmarket handicap three weeks ago; latter success puts him on a career-high mark but he's unlikely to be far away.

Antrim (GB)

0%

Often a front-runner; 3-7 on AW but he's 0-4 on turf and latest third to Elsass at Hamilton (1m3f, good) was no more than respectable; untested on good to soft or worse but his pedigree may given some encouragement, as his dam is closely related to outstanding performer Enable whose 15 wins included the 2017 Oaks over C&D and four of her Group 1 wins were on softer than good.

Night Breeze (IRE)

0%

Finished fifth in this last year and it was just his second visit to Epsom when impressively landing the five-runner Great Metropolitan over C&D (good) in April; 4lb rise (arguably could have been worse) pushes him into uncharted territory but he has won on good to soft and is a player under Billy Loughnane.

Give It To Me Oj (GB)

0%

Acts on soft; can make the running; won six (four over hurdles, two on Flat) of seven starts in a golden spell last February-October, including over C&D in September in both the Jump Jockeys Derby (soft) and Apprentices' Derby (good); recent run over 2m at Goodwood should have teed him up nicely for what could be a plan from last year's winning yard; considered.

Max Mayhem (GB)

0%

Locally trained runner who offered something to work on when seventh of 13 at Kempton (1m4f, AW) on his British return ten days ago; also has form on good to soft but latest effort still leaves him with work to do and he finished tailed off in the 2023 running of this.

Elsass (IRE)

0%

Previously susceptible to the odd stinker but he's 2-2 since being gelded, scoring at Southwell (AW) in April and Hamilton (again 1m3f, good) three weeks ago; 8lb rise in a much tougher contest demands more but maybe he's putting it all together now.

Too Soon (GB)

0%

Housed in a stable that rarely misidentifies its geese as swans, so the fact he's been highly tried on occasions is interesting; 1-14 record is therefore frustrating but the win did come here as a juvenile (8.5f, heavy) and he gets first-time cheekpieces today; suspicion he's capable of a big run with Warren Fentiman an unusual booking for the yard.

Gordon Grey (IRE)

0%

The second runner for local trainer George Baker and this one has an enviable 3-4 record here, having picked up two Ladies' Derbys (2024 and 2025) in addition to the Amateurs' Derby last year when trained by Ben Brookhouse; not discounted on that score but this is a good bit hotter than those events; refitted tongue-tie could be a plus.

Bulletin

0%

Extraordinarily consistent sort who is yet to finish out of the frame in 15 starts and his profile isn't short of improvement either; stays this trip, acts on good to soft (unraced on soft) and he also ran well on his only visit here; very likeable and should go well again.

Hengest (GB)

0%

Lightly raced 4yo who has swiftly found his feet for this yard; built on a big run in novice here (8.5f, good) in April by going unbeaten in his three handicaps (1m2f and 11.5f, good/good to firm), penalised on the last two occasions; now bumped up markedly in grade (2lb wrong) and softer ground would pose a query but there's no telling where this improvement will end up.

Northwest Passage (GB)

0%

Heavy-ground romp at Salisbury (had been gelded) in September and second at Newbury (also 1m2f, soft) the following month give him a shot; however, he left Roger Teal after two runs over hurdles and will need to improve upon his two starts for new yard this spring; 5lb out of the handicap.