_edited.png)
14:00 Epsom
Derby day is finally here and we start our five Channel Four races with a Class 2 ten furlong handicap.
A favourite hasn’t won this race since 2008 but that could change today with the Sir Michael Stoute’s horse Stravagante; he may have finished twelve lengths behind the winner last time out but that was against the Derby entry Jack Hobbs and on that form he looks a strong prospect for this today.
Resonant comes here seeking a hat-trick but will have to try and defy a nine pound penalty in addition to stepping up in grade; he could be a real player if being able to run his race like he has in his last two wins by making all.
Taper Tantrum is another seeking a hat-trick but has a very long layoff and a seven pound penalty to overcome; he could steal a place if stripping fit for this today.
Frankie Dettori’s ride Dutch Uncle looks very interesting to me; he finished third in the London Gold Cup at Newbury last month over this distance and that form alone makes him a big player.
Dutch Uncle (E/W)
14:35 Epsom
Our second televised race is a Class 1 six furlong listed race.
Richard Hannon comes here seeking a hat-trick of wins after winning this in 2013 and 2014 and what a chance he has with Nelspruit; he asserted himself well to win at Goodwood last month over the minimum trip and looks like one that will improve over this extra furlong.
Mark Johnston won this back in 2011 and has two entered for this today with Aleko looking the best of the two; he won by over two lengths on his debut race by making all and pulling away from the field in the final half furlong and has to be a real danger here today if running that type of race again.
Miss Moneypenny and Jeanie’s Place are others who showed a lot of promise on their latest outings and should be in the mix.
Nelspruit (WIN)
15:10 Epsom
Our third race is also our first Group 1 race the Investec Coronation Cup.
A small field of six go to post for what looks on paper a two horse race between Dolniya and Flintshire, The latter finished second in this twelve months ago and also has the beating of the former when finishing second in the Qatar Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe but then finished over two lengths behind Dolniya when they met at Meydan back in March.
These two look like they’ll battle it out again today but after the shocks that came yesterday there could be another today.
Out of the other four Sheikhzayedroad looks the only one that could cause an upset in this as he’s the only previous course and distance winner and that is a huge positive on this tricky course, he’s won some very big races in the last twelve months and is surely worth a couple quid E/W.
Dolniya (WIN)
15:45 Epsom
It’s the penultimate race on Channel 4 and a huge field of twenty lines up for this five furlong handicap.
Tony Carroll and Alan Kirby won this card twelve months ago with Caspian Prince and they return with him again to try and win this again, they are currently the favourites in the market to win this but he’s been raised eleven pounds since that win and may find this a lot tougher today.
Seeking Magic was second in this last year and is six pounds lower for this today; he should be able to reverse the form with Caspian Prince especially as he looked to need a run after a long layoff last month.
Edward Greatrex is only 16 and showed a lot of maturity when winning the 14:35 here yesterday and looks to of claimed a very good ride on Normal Equilibrium in this; he wasn’t disgraced at York last week and with the young jockeys seven pound claim he has every chance of a place.
Monumental Man won over course and distance back in April but has been given a twelve pound rise for that victory and he may struggle off his current mark at this level.
Perfect Muse is another that could go well too today especially as she is another who will benefit from her jockeys claim; she finished a respectable third at Goodwood last month and looks like she is progressing well.
Seeking Magic (E/W if 9/2+)
Perfect Muse (E/W)
Normal Equilibrium (E/W)
16:30 Epsom (The Derby)
So we are finally here the most prestigious flat race of the year and the one every jockey wants to win the Investec Derby a Group 1 over twelve furlongs.
Golden Horn still hold on to a strike rate off 100% after three cracking runs one of which was the Dante Stakes back in may where his turn of foot proved how good he was coming from virtually last to win impressively and is defiantly the one to beat today.
Aiden O’Brien has won this card 5 times in the past with three of them coming in the past three years; he has three runners in this today with Giovanni Canaletto looking the best of the three; he has some cracking pedigree with both his father in 2001 and his brother in 2013 winning this race; he’s been very well supported since finishing second in a Group 3 at Curragh last time out has to be respected.
Success Days comes here seeking a four timer after a ten length victory in heavy conditions at Leopardstown last month; his penalty shouldn’t be an issue and he has every chance at a place in this today.
Elm Park was 20/1 for this a couple of months ago but has been well backed in after he finished third behind Golden Horn last time out after a long time away from the track and can run off the same mark again today and is another who could be a threat along with the second place finisher that day Jack Hobbs.
Golden Horn (WIN)
Giovanni Canaletto (E/W)