Horse Racing Tips for The Epsom Handicap 2026

Another classic Randwick mile awaits in Saturday’s Group 1 Epsom Handicap, and this is a race where tactics and sectional tempo could prove every bit as important as raw ability.

There should be plenty of early jostling as those drawn wider search for positions, but the decisive part of the race could come between the 800m and 400m.

Whoever gets the right run through that section will have a significant advantage when the pressure goes on.

Autumn Boy is the deserved favourite third-up, dropping in weight and drawing ideally, but there are plenty of legitimate challengers.

Unbeaten Kiwi mare Well Written is the fascinating X-factor.

She crosses the Tasman with a perfect record and an ideal draw, but this represents a significant rise in opposition compared with what she has been putting away in New Zealand.

And much further down the market, there's one lightweight chance who looks capable of blowing the race apart at a big price.

 

 

Neil Evans’ Group 1 Epsom Handicap Preview 3/10/26

Track Conditions

Randwick was sitting at a Soft 5 heading into Friday, and despite some rain being forecast for race day, conditions shouldn't deteriorate dramatically.

The bigger consideration is the amount of racing before the Epsom.

With plenty of traffic across the surface throughout the meeting, I'm approaching the race on the basis that it could be closer to a Soft 6 by the time they jump.

 

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The Speed Map

Expect some early pressure as runners drawn wider look to find their positions.

Fully Lit should roll across and take up the running, with Hellsing and Perfumist also pushing forward from wider barriers.

Well Written can use her favourable draw to land in the next group, with Matcha Latte to her outside. Declichy Boulevard should hold a position closer to the fence, while Mr Miller has drawn to settle prominently without doing much work.

Autumn Boy gets the opportunity to enjoy a soft run along the fence a few lengths from the speed, with Lady Shenandoah working across from wider out.

Idle Flyer should look for cover around midfield alongside Militarize, who has a more difficult task from his wide barrier, and Attica.

Further back should be God's Window and Encap, followed by Ceolwulf, Vivy Air and Plymouth.

Expect Tom Kitten and Panova to settle among the final division.

In a big field, the tempo through the middle stages and when the leaders begin to ramp things up could determine which of those backmarkers get their opportunity.

 

 

The Favourite – Autumn Boy

There is an enormous amount to like about Autumn Boy.

He arrives third-up after producing an excellent closing performance behind star mare Sheza Alibi in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes, which looks an ideal platform for the Epsom.

He's already a dual Group 1 winner at distances up to 2000m and now gets into this with a luxury weight.

The inside draw should also allow him to conserve energy before looking for his run from the top of the straight.

The two concerns are whether the inside ground remains suitable and whether he can find clear running when he needs it in such a big field.

Then there's the price.

At around $3.60, he's under the odds for mine. I'd want at least $4.80 before getting involved.

 

 

The Dangers

Autumn Boy

He's the clear measuring stick. He gets the draw, weight and third-up setup to be ready to explode when they straighten.

The biggest risk is traffic. If he's bottled away on the fence when the sprint goes on, his rider will need to find the right opening.

 

Attica

Attica gets to the mile third-up and ready to peak.

At his current price, he's one of the more interesting runners outside the obvious market chances and deserves plenty of respect.

 

Well Written

The unbeaten Kiwi mare brings the mystery factor.

She's been dominant in New Zealand and importantly draws to get an economical run close to the speed.

The question is how that form translates to a deep Australian Group 1 handicap.

This is comfortably her biggest examination to date, but she's clearly talented enough to warrant her place among the leading chances.

 

Ceolwulf

At around $14, Ceolwulf looks over the odds.

This may not be the ultimate target of his preparation, but he's now fourth-up and gets to the Randwick mile.

If he gets clear running when required, he's capable of being right in the finish.

 

Neil’s Best Bet – #Mr Miller – $16

Mr Miller is enormous value at around $16.

I'm very forgiving of his latest performance in the Group 3 Cameron.

It became a nightmare almost immediately.

He missed the start, ended up stranded wide and found himself a long way from the speed.

Despite everything going against him, he still picked up and began making strong ground before laying in over the final 250m.

His previous form had been excellent.

Yes, those wins came in significantly weaker company, but he put his opposition away as a short-priced favourite and continues to look like a horse on the rise.

This is by far his biggest test, but the Epsom conditions give him an opportunity to take that next step.

He draws much better, should be able to settle considerably closer and tumbles down to just 50kg.

At around $16, Mr Miller is double the price he should be.

 

 

Neil’s Top Five

1. MR MILLER
2. Autumn Boy
3. Attica
4. Well Written
5. Ceolwulf

 

Check out all my early selections at The Great Tip Off for a huge dual Group 1 Epsom Handicap Day at Randwick this Saturday.

 

There are loads of tips for today's racing in our Horse Racing Tips market at theGreatTipOff.com.