It is the race that defines the thoroughbred, The Epsom Derby on Saturday and we preview this and all 7 races on one of the highlights of the horse racing calendar.
R1: Cazoo Handicap
A 1-mile 2f handicap for three-year-olds gets the racing underway on Derby Day and War Horse is our pick for the winner. He will love the distance and posted a career best when winning at Haydock last month. The handicapper has been kind to him, and he can win again. Mr Big Stuff is our alternative selection with his Jockey Tyler Heard claiming 5lb. He is much better than his finishing position in his last race and potentially well handicapped.
R2: Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3)
The lightly races Bashkirova is the favourite for this though she failed to win on her latest run in a Listed race where she was beaten by Mrs Fitzherbert who also reappears here. There is no obvious reason to suggest she can reverse those places and at the odds Mrs Fitzherbert is our selection. Of the remainder, Potapova should improve from her last run but has found life tough in Group company. The outsider of the field, Flash Betty was useful last year, gets weight off most of the other runners and could cause a surprise result.
R3: Diomed Stakes (Group 3)
Modern News is in great form having won his last 2 races and he can win again here. This is his first Group race, but he looks progressive, is lightly raced and he would not have to improve much to win. Mustasaabeq must be respected having finished a close 2nd in a Group 2 in April, however he is not the most consistent and typically fails to put a sequence of good runs together. Of the outsiders, Escobar should be considered. He has a bit to find on official ratings, but he won his last race, and his style of racing suggests the smaller field size than he is used to should be in his favour.
R4: ‚Dash‘ Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
Known as the fastest race in the world this will be run at its usual electric speed. Mokaatil won the race last year and returns here in a similar level of form He was quite an easy winner of the race and whilst he is now higher in the handicap he should not be too far away at the finish. Stone Of Destiny is a regular in this type of event and he can get his first win since 2020. He is 10lb lower in the weights than when he was 3rd last year and his last run was encouraging enough to think that he can finally get his head in front.
R5: Cazoo Derby
Run this year in memory of the great Lester Piggott who won this race an incredible 9 times, this looks a very good renewal of the race. Desert Crown has a very big reputation, and he sets the standard based off his prep race win in the Dante Stakes at York. He is the most likely winner but there are some more attractive options at bigger prices.
Aidan O’Brien has an unmatched Derby record and Stone Age looks to be the best of his three runners with Ryan Moore booked to ride. It took him a while to show his ability having ran 5 times last season without a victory, but he was very impressive in his trail at Leopardstown which gives him a great chance. Another one to look at is Nation’s Pride, one of three Godolphin runners. He is run just the once this season and couldn’t have won any easier. It’s difficult to evaluate just how good he is but he certainly could make the frame and is our each-way pick.
R6: Northern Dancer Handicap
Midnight Legacy was last seen in a hurdle race, but he is back on the flat looking to win this race for the 2nd time. If he is in the same form, then he should not be out of the places. Aaddeey is the class horse in the race, but he looks high up in the handicap though he jockey does take off 5lb which would give him a chance. Soapy Stevens is the other runner to consider. He is yet to win this year but is consistent and if today is not his day, expect him to win soon.
R7: JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap
Many A Star looks to be in good form having won a good Handicap at Ascot in May however this race is tougher and its worth looking at a few at bigger prices. The first of these is our pick Bergerac. His last start was slightly disappointing, but he has been very consistent this season apart from that. He is yet to run at Epsom but that should not be too much of a worry and seems to enjoy big field races. Muscika has been falling down the handicap and is certainly on a winning mark, he will be winning soon if today isn’t his day. The last to look at is Rayong. He has been running over shorter distances recently and is worth a try back at this distance.
