RacingBetter News
	Friday 20th June 2025

Hurricane and Defiance Aim to Impress on Ladies’ Day at Epsom

As the spotlight shifts to Epsom for Ladies’ Day, there are two runners attracting attention ahead of Friday’s action: Havana Hurricane and Defiance. Both horses have shown promising form and could offer strong challenges in their respective races.

One to watch in the Woodcote Stakes at 2:05 pm is Havana Hurricane, trained by Eve Johnson Houghton. Priced at around 11/2, this colt made a solid impression on his debut run at Goodwood over five furlongs. With these favourable odds, it’s likely many will be placing wagers on Havana Hurricane at top betting sites that offer competitive horse racing odds, fast payouts through flexible transaction methods, and generous bonuses like welcome rewards, odds boosts, and free bets, making them the perfect platforms to back Havana Hurricane.

Despite a less-than-ideal start from the gates, he showed composure and maturity beyond his age, settling behind the early leaders before making a decisive move in the final furlong. His acceleration and ability to distance himself from the race favourite in the closing stages suggested significant potential. The fact that the owners have retained him despite likely strong purchase offers reflects the confidence in his future ability. Johnson Houghton also has a history of success in this race, having trained a previous winner two years ago, which adds to the optimism surrounding Havana Hurricane’s chances. This week, he’ll face a key test in the Betfred British EBF Woodcote Stakes at Epsom, where he’ll need to prove himself against tougher competition. While the Godolphin runner Maximised will be heavily supported, Havana Hurricane offers credible value and appears capable of challenging for top honours, especially if he progresses from his debut.

Later in the day, the Nifty 50 Handicap at 3:15 pm features Defiance, a runner from Roger Varian’s yard, who brings a compelling profile despite not having raced for nearly a year. The four-year-old, a gelded son of Camelot, was previously considered a Derby hopeful but proved difficult to manage in his earlier career. Since being gelded last summer, reports from the stable suggest he has been training well and showing strong form in his work at home. The return to Epsom, where he finished second last April to a horse that later achieved dual Group-race victories, provides further encouragement. On that day, Defiance only lost by just under a length, and the level of competition he faced gives weight to his credentials.

Now making his seasonal debut off a mark of 99, there is a sense that this rating may undervalue his actual ability. The addition of jockey Silvestre de Sousa further enhances the case for Defiance, as his booking signals intent and confidence from the connections, especially considering his recent Classic win aboard Elmalka in the 1000 Guineas, marking a triumphant return after a 10-month suspension. With current odds around 10/1, Defiance looks well-priced and could provide significant value in what appears to be an open contest.

Both runners represent different stages of their careers, Havana Hurricane as an emerging juvenile with untapped promise and Defiance as a more mature contender ready to relaunch after time off. Yet, both bring compelling narratives into Friday’s card at Epsom and could deliver strong performances on a day where expectations are high. Whether you're drawn to the raw talent of a two-year-old or the potential resurgence of a horse once seen as a classic prospect, these two names are worth keeping in mind ahead of the racing action.