Epsom Handicap Tips & Predictions 2026: Best Bets

It’s a cracking and wide-open Epsom field but for mine Chris Waller looks primed to add another chapter to his incredible record in this classic with AUTUMN BOY (1) the one to beat fit and firing from the inside alley.

The classy son of The Autumn Sun returns to Sydney after two Melbourne runs this preparation and appears ready to peak third-up, a scenario that has historically brought out his best.

The four-year-old signalled he was nearing top form when chasing home star mare Sheza Alibi in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes over a mile at Flemington after an eye-catching first-up run in the Memsie Stakes.

Back to Randwick and stepping out over his preferred 1600m, he gets a number of key factors in his favour, including an ideal draw and the return of champion jockey James McDonald to the saddle.

His record at the course and distance is impossible to ignore, having finished runner-up in both the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile, while his elite Group 1 credentials were established with victories in the Caulfield Guineas and Rosehill Guineas last prep.

With recent favourites Ceolwulf and Autumn Glow delivering for punters in the past two editions, there’s every reason to believe Autumn Boy can continue that trend.

On the back of a strong Group 1 performance further south and with Waller chasing his seventh Epsom Handicap triumph since 2012, I’m backing Autumn Boy to hold out the undefeated Kiwi raider.

The biggest mover in the 2026 Epsom Handicap betting has been unbeaten Kiwi mare WELL WRITTEN (3), who has quickly challenged for favouritism after attracting strong support in the market.

Trained by Stephen Marsh, the daughter of Written Tycoon arrives in Sydney with a perfect seven-from-seven record and looks well placed to continue her rise from an ideal barrier three draw with in-form jockey Zac Lloyd aboard.

The classy four-year-old has already proven herself at the elite level across the Tasman, highlighted by a dominant Group 1 NZ 1000 Guineas victory over the mile and a memorable win in New Zealand’s richest race, The Kiwi.

She resumed in style when taking out the Group 1 Proisir Plate fresh at Ellerslie and is expected to take further improvement second-up, a scenario that has previously produced one of her most impressive victories.

There is no question she faces her toughest test to date against a deep Epsom field, but she maps to enjoy a perfect run just off the speed, handles soft ground, is unbeaten at the mile, and brings the kind of winning mentality few horses in this race can match.

She’s done nothing wrong in seven career starts and comes into the race with all the right form indicators.

Drawn to get every chance and trending sharply in the market, she looks the standout each way danger and can give a huge sight in her Australian debut.

If you’re searching for the value runner capable of blowing out the exotics, DECLICHY BOULEVARD (2) looks the standout roughie in the 2026 Epsom Handicap for mine.

The Chris Waller-trained mare comes into the Group 1 in excellent touch after producing a dominant victory over the Randwick mile, carrying a hefty weight and still proving too strong for her rivals.

A stakes-performed mare with plenty of upside, she has returned in terrific order this preparation, opening with a strong third at Goulburn before taking her form to another level when charging home to score impressively at this track and distance last start.

Importantly, she’s now third-up, a stage of the campaign where she has previously performed well, and she looks set to peak on Saturday.

The mile clearly suits, she maps to settle off midfield and conserve energy, and with just 50kg on her back under the handicap conditions, she gets every chance to finish strongly when the pressure goes on late.

Racing in top form, loves the Randwick mile and gets in with a lightweight.

At around the $20 mark at time of publish, she’s the value play.

• Top 3 – No. 3 Autumn Boy
• Top 3 – No. 6 Well Written
• Top 5 – No. 17 Declichy Boulevard

AUTUMN BOY (1) for a Top 3 finish looks the banker play in this year’s Epsom. The Waller-trained star returns to Randwick third-up off a superb Group 1 Makybe Diva second and gets every chance from the inside draw with McDonald aboard. A dual Group 1 winner who has already placed in both the Randwick Guineas and Doncaster Mile over this course and distance, Autumn Boy is perfectly placed to peak and should be right in the finish as Waller chases another triumph.

WELL WRITTEN (3) to also run in the trifecta appeals as an outstanding inclusion after the unbeaten Kiwi raider surged into Epsom calculations. The Marsh-trained mare brings a perfect seven-from-seven record to Sydney, including multiple Group 1 victories across the Tasman, and looks ideally drawn in barrier three with Zac Lloyd aboard. Unbeaten at the mile, proven on soft ground and expected to improve second-up off her Proisir Plate win, she has all the credentials to make a successful Australian debut and finish in the placings.

DECLICHY BOULEVARD (2) for a Top 5 performance looks a terrific value inclusion after her dominant last-start Randwick mile victory carrying a big weight. The Waller-trained mare is peaking third-up, drops to just 50kg under the handicap conditions and returns to a track and distance that clearly suits. With strong recent form, a favourable lightweight and a race shape that should allow her to finish off strongly from midfield, she appeals as an excellent chance to sneak into the top five at attractive odds.