Epsom trials have spoken — the 2026 Classic picture is becoming clear

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After the Craven Meeting and the Newbury Spring Cup card, the 2026 Classic contenders are clearer than this time last year. The unbeaten colt from Aidan O'Brien's yard posted a Timeform figure of 125 in his trial — that's Classic-winning level in most years. The French filly who ran in the Poule d'Essai Poulishes equivalent showed exceptional sectional times in the final furlong that suggest she's still in first gear. My concern for Epsom specifically is the draw: horses drawn high at Epsom have a historical disadvantage in the 1m4f Derby trip that the market doesn't fully price in. Worth checking draw positions before committing.

After the Craven Meeting and the Newbury Spring Cup card, the 2026 Classic contenders are clearer than this time last year. The unbeaten colt from Aidan O'Brien's yard posted a Timeform figure of 125 in his trial — that's Classic-winning level in most years. The French filly who ran in the Poule d'Essai Poulishes equivalent showed exceptional sectional times in the final furlong that suggest she's still in first gear. My concern for Epsom specifically is the draw: horses drawn high at Epsom have a historical disadvantage in the 1m4f Derby trip that the market doesn't fully price in. Worth checking draw positions before committing.

The each-way value point is legitimate — when Mullins has multiple runners in a race, the market shortens all of them and creates genuine value in the place terms.

I've been tracking the same wet-ground specialists and your selection methodology makes sense. The market really does underweight proven heavy ground form.