Fully Lit eyes Epsom Handicap triumph after last year's near miss

While the celebrated Autum Glow won't be returning to defend her Epsom Handicap title, the path to redemption for last year's second-place finisher, Fully Lit, remains challenging.

The esteemed mile event has drawn a competitive field, notably featuring the accomplished Group 1 winner Ceolwulf, the previously unbeaten New Zealander Well Written, and Autumn Boy, a talented Chris Waller-trained stablemate of Autum Glow.

Adrian Bott, co-trainer of Fully Lit, perceives this Saturday's Epsom Handicap as one of the most open contests in recent times, singling out Autumn Boy as the horse to beat.

"He looks the obvious horse," Bott stated regarding Autumn Boy. "He's coming through the right races, weight-for-age races, and he's obviously a very talented horse as well. But it is a race with plenty of depth, and there's more than just one chance in the race."

Fully Lit's preparation for the Group 1 feature this spring has been more focused, and Bott is confident the gelding is in better form.

Evidence of this improvement can be seen on the track, with Fully Lit having finished third in the Cameron Handicap (1400m) last year and securing a victory in the same race this season.

Crucially, while he had a demanding race schedule leading into the 2025 Epsom Handicap, he will be fourth-up for this Saturday's race.

"I feel he's had a much better lead-up and much better, targeted preparation," Bott elaborated. "He was ninth-up in the Epsom last year, so it's a little bit more strategic this time around. He'd had a long-term spell prior to that last campaign, and he's a horse that does so well it took him quite a while to reach his peak fitness, and (he struck) a few heavy tracks which he didn't enjoy. This time around, it gives us a bit of confidence that the deeper we get into the campaign, the stronger we're going to see him. He's been very effective over this mile and still gets in very well at the weights."

Fully Lit's record over 1600m includes two runner-up finishes, both at Randwick.

He commenced from barrier seven last year and is set to start from gate eight this weekend, with Winona Costin, who partnered him in last year's Epsom, retaining the ride.

Consider checking out the latest racing odds for the Epsom Handicap at leading online bookmakers.