While the brilliant Autum Glow has opted against defending her Epsom Handicap crown, last year’s runner-up Fully Lit faces a formidable challenge in his bid to go one better.

The prestigious mile race boasts a strong field, featuring the esteemed multiple Group 1 victor Ceolwulf, the undefeated New Zealander Well Written, and Chris Waller’s highly-rated galloper Autumn Boy, a stablemate of Autum Glow.

Fully Lit’s co-trainer Adrian Bott considers this year’s Epsom Handicap to be one of the most open renewals in recent memory, identifying Autumn Boy as the primary threat.

“He looks the obvious horse,” Bott remarked about 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 has been given a more tailored preparation for this Group 1 event this spring, and Bott believes the horse is in superior condition compared to last year.

This assessment is supported by his recent performances, including a third-place finish in the Cameron Handicap (1400m) last year and a win in the same race this year.

Notably, Fully Lit had a demanding campaign leading up to the 2025 Epsom Handicap, but will enter this Saturday’s race as a fourth-up runner.

“I feel he’s had a much better lead-up and much better, targeted preparation,” Bott explained. “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 has achieved runner-up status in both of his previous starts over 1600m, both at Randwick.

Last year he started from barrier seven, and this weekend he will jump from gate eight, with Winona Costin, his rider in last year’s Epsom, in the saddle once again.

For those interested in placing a wager on this exciting race, explore the comprehensive Australian betting sites for the best odds.