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The Data Detective: clues and tips for Epsom on Friday
By Andy Stephens
Last Updated: Thu 4 Jun 2026
Andy Stephens reckons a course specialist will again rise to the occasion on the Downs plus gives his verdict on the Oaks.
✅ 2.40 Epsom: Persica
Epsom form: 11 Draw bias: 0.72 lengths.
Fastest: in furlongs 6,7 & 9 last year.
Persica has won at the Derby Meeting for the past two years and can complete a notable hat-trick from his favourable draw.
He came from last to first in this contest last year when nudging almost 42mph, having made all in a handicap the year before. On each occasion he was strong at the finish, and we know easy ground is no issue for him.
✅ 3.15 Epsom: Hand Of God
Finishing Speed Percentage at Newbury: 107.88% (easily best). Draw bias: 0.81 lengths.
A/E of prominent racers at Epsom: 1.45.
Hand Of God’s back catalogue of wins include victories at Newmarket, Sandown and Royal Ascot, and he was back in the groove when scoring at Newbury last time.
He zipped through the final two furlongs in 23.31 seconds and won in a time 1.25 seconds quicker than the RaceiQ Par. He can exploit a decent draw.
✅ 4.00 Epsom: Thundering On
Top Speed: 40.13mph. Time Index at Navan: 9.2 (meet ave 7.8)
Final 3f at Navan: 36.58sec (easily best)
Thundering On is peaking at the right time and her win in the Salsabil Stakes at Navan last time, achieved in a slick time, can be marked up as she had to wait for a run after getting hemmed in
Her fast 11.66sec penultimate final furlong enabled her to take the race by the scruff of its neck and she followed that with a 12.87sec final furlong measured as being par. By contrast, most of her rivals were running “slow” or “very slow” in the closing stages.
The RaceiQ Time Index of the race was 9.2 when the meeting average was 7.8, being run in a time 3.63sec quicker than par.
Her sire, Frankel, has had three previous winners of the Oaks and she can be his fourth.
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