Epsom 5:15 Result

French Affair is clearly progressive, with form figures 424611 showing a career trajectory culminating in back-to-back wins. He carries top weight on OR82 for good reason - he's the classiest and most in-form horse in this small field. Sean Bowen taking the ride for Jennie Candlish suggests confidence, and the yard has been in good form. The step up in class hasn't stopped him winning last time, and he looks over today's C4 7f trip well within himself given the upward curve. Only 23 days since his last win keeps him fresh and sharp. Draw 3 is workable at Epsom's tricky 7f start. Rivals like Dapper Guest and Play Me are also in-form (both won last time) but sit on lower marks with less scope, while Million Gold is interesting on RPR/breeding but has raced only twice with a big level of unknown and a 65-day layoff - too speculative to trust over the consistent, weight-carrying favourite. French Affair looks the genuine class benchmark and the best combination of proven achievement and continued progress, making him worth taking on price grounds even as a likely favourite.