The Epsom Derby Festival kicks off on Friday with Ladies Day, featuring the most important race of the year for the Classic generation Fillies, the Epsom Oaks. We preview this and all 7 races from Epsom Derby.
R1: British EBF Stakes
Some of the best two-year-olds in the country turn up here looking to emulate recent winner Pinatubo who went on to be top class after winning this. This looks an open race with Commander Striker your likely favourite. He recorded his first win last time at Bath and whilst he has been running over shorter distances, stamina should not be a problem. He is worth opposing though as it’s the horse that finished 2nd to him at Bath, Estate, who could be worth siding with. He meets his rival on much better terms today and cannot be dismissed at double the odds!
Both Legend Of Xandu and Blatant have had plenty of racecourse experience and were both impressive winners and can easily follow up. The other of note is Silencer who only made his debut last week. He should improve markedly for that run and could cause a minor surprise in this opening race.
R2: World Pool Handicap
Carazon Espinado won this race last year and has an excellent record at Epsom having won 4 times and finished 2nd on 3 occasions from his 10 appearances at the track. He is not in great form at present, but he saves his best for Epsom so is our each way selection. Oh This Is Us is another with good course form and he ran respectably last time out and could well be in the picture near the finish. Excel Power is your likely favourite having completed a hattrick of victories, he must give weight away to all his rivals but looks a classy sort who is improving compared to many of these who their best days have probably gone.
R3: Coronation Cup (Group 1)
Six runners of which realistically five of these have a chance headed by last year’s winner Pyledriver. He reappears having run in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and Dubai over the winter months. If he is in the same form as he was last year, that should be good enough to win this. Manobo has also been racing abroad and looks very exciting though slightly disappointed in the Dubai Gold Cup. He has been running over further distances and this looks to be his minimum trip. It would not be a huge surprise if he ended up winning very easily but no one can really know just how good he is.
High Definition ran a much-improved race in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, but he is an expensive horse to follow having disappointed on all his runs outside of Ireland. Hukum has a bit to find on form but is consistent and would not need to improve a lot to win this. He is one to seriously consider. Living Legend is the other who would have a chance. He has won his last 3 but this is a step up in class and connections one or two others should be too good.
R5: Epsom Oaks (Group 1)
John Gosden and Aidan O’Brien have trained the last 8 winners of the Epsom Oaks and it would be no shock to see either one of them win this renewal. John Gosden trains Emily Upjohn and Nashwa with the former looking have the stronger of the chances. Unsurprisingly she has drawn comparisons with the superstar Enable and if she wins this as impressively then she will most likely be made favourite for the likes of the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe and the King George. Nashwa is also unbeaten this season though her form does not look as strong, she is clearly the 2nd string for John Gosden and there are alternatives at bigger odds that are better considered.
Aidan O’Brien has four runners, and you should never rule out any of his representatives in a Classic. Tuesday is bred to win this, being a full sister of 2016 winner Minding but was well beaten in the Irish 1000 Guineas. That was over a distance far too short for her but will obviously need to improve a lot for the step up in distance. Concert Hall finished behind Tuesday but did not have the greatest luck in running so would be no surprise to see her finish in front of her stablemate.
Thoughts Of June won her prep race at Chester though that was a much weaker race, whist Aidan’s final runner, The Algarve was well beaten by Emily Upjohn. She could place at a big price, but it would be one of the biggest surprises in the long history of the race were she to win. One that should not be dismissed despite her odds in Kawida for Ed Walker. The big question mark is whether she can stay the distance but if she can then she can get involved at a big price.
R6: Surrey Stakes (Listed Race)
Quite an open race and the tentative selection is Oscula. He won the Woodcote Stakes on this card last year and connections hold him in the highest regard. Dawn Of Liberation is the main danger but he failed to fire when last seen in a similar grade in race. Bass Player is interesting, he’s making just his 2nd start so will clearly improve on his winning debut but will obviously need to now facing much more experienced rivals.
R7: Derby Festival Handicap
The last race looks a difficult one to find a winner with a competitive handicap over 7 furlongs. Nuvolari is lightly raced and is at the bottom of the handicap, getting weight all around. His form looks average, but it would be no surprise if he is a lot better than what he has previously shown. The one we like is Top Secret. He was unlucky to no win his last start, is ultra-consistent and has a strong chance of placing if not winning.
