'A similar display might put him in a different parish to this field'

2.00 Epsom
World Pool At The tote Handicap | 1m2f | 3yo | RTV/ITV

Just how good is London Gold Cup winner and King Edward VII Stakes favourite Bay Bridge? We should get a better understanding when recent foe King Frankel tackles this 1m2f Epsom handicap.

The son of New Bay bolted up by 32 lengths in a Pontefract maiden for Mark Johnston before running in what is usually the hottest three-year-old handicap of the season at Newbury last month.

King Frankel posted a big career-best performance (his Racing Post Rating was 93, compared to a previous high of 85) and finished four and a quarter lengths clear of the third-home River Alwen, but he was barely within shouting distance of the winner Bay Bridge.

After proving that he was well handicapped off a mark of 82 while bumping into a potential Group performer, King Frankel received a 6lb hike in the weights. Although such a drastic rise may seem harsh for a horse who was comfortably beaten, a similar display might put him in a different parish to this field and he is drawn well in stall three to gain a crucial prominent position.

It is common knowledge that Johnston likes his horses ridden forward, and there's a good chance the Middleham trainer may want to boss this race from the outset given King Frankel's stablemates Chase The Dollar and King Zain have shown speed over shorter trips. It would be no surprise if they were aggressively handled from their wide draws.

Patient Dream is the sole course winner in the field. He won by a length on his reappearance after a gelding operation and that form has worked out well with five of his seven rivals – Coul Kat, Il Bandito, Dr T J Eckleburg, Siam Fox and Trevolli – scoring on their next start. The big step up to 1m2f provides a different challenge but a mark of 83 looks fair if he stays.

Those open to greater improvement include Greatgadian. He is at the beginning of his handicap career, has solid novice form and represents leading connections.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to Mohamed Obaida, owner of King Frankel
He’s got a great chance. The rain they are forecast at Epsom will suit him. He won well at Pontefract and then ran a great race in the London Gold Cup at Newbury to finish second. He’s definitely going the right way. It could be that Patient Dream is the one we all have to beat.

Roger Varian, trainer of Greatgadian
He's progressive but things didn't quite go to plan at Sandown last time, when the heavy ground didn't suit him.

George Boughey, trainer of Freak Out
It's probably a weaker race than it could have been for a 0-105 handicap and, while he's not ideally drawn, the step up in trip should suit. He seems to be hitting the line in all of his races and he's worked well in a set of cheekpieces so we've put them on.

Oliver Cole, joint-trainer of Zhang Fei
He’s totally unexposed in handicaps and I’m hoping a mark of 79 is generous. They didn’t go fast enough for him at Lingfield last time and I think the winner, Alfaadhel, is very good. The track should suit him and there's no reason why he won't run a big race.

Read more Epsom previews . . .

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Big-race analysis: what does Coolmore's one-dart policy say about this year's Derby (Members' Club)

Kieren Fallon on how to ride the Derby – and his idea of the winner (Members' Club)

3.45 Epsom: stopwatches at the ready! Tom Collins casts his expert eye over the Epsom Dash

2.35 Epsom: 'She's been flying at home' – Meade hoping Statement bounces back from the Guineas

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