Weld and Smullen can combine to give us a great chance of backing the Epsom Derby winner
Matt Chapman picks out the best bets at Epsom on Derby day
It’s Derby day at Epsom! Few better racedays in the calendar and the perfect time to smash up Paddy once again. Hear me Paddy?
Let’s get straight to the main card, and the 2.00pm is a handicap over an extended 1m2f. I like POET’S WORD, who will enjoy any drying ground for Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore.
The selection will stay strong and this should be run at a strong gallop with Medburn Dream liking to go from the front. Poet’s Word’s dam, incidentally, was sired by Derby hero Nashwan! Maybe that’s a clue.
The 2.35pm at Epsom is the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes over an extended 1m, and there’s no doubt in my mind the horse to beat is French raider SAYANA. Rated 109 and in-form for Alain de Royer-Dupre, Sayana is already a Listed winner and going on to better things.
Next up is a cracking Group 1 Coronation Cup over 1m5f, and King George winner POSTPONED really should be good enough with a rating of 124. I know she’s a short price, but I’ve never been one to tip against a horse just for the sake of it. I think he will win so he had better!
Then it’s much more tricky with the 5f Dash handicap. Draw is often key here, and I like a closer up the stands rail as the pace is electric. So, the one to back each-way is MUKAYNIS, who should sit just behind the leaders and if the gaps come can pounce late for Shane Gray and Kevin Ryan.
The Derby is at 4.30pm. I’ve been a fan of Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen for a long time, and I’m all over HARZAND as an each-way chance. He’ll be fine on the ground, will be suited by the trip (by Derby hero Sea the Stars) and is improving all the time. From stall 9 Pat has every chance of getting a good position. So come on Ireland with Harzand. Yeeehaaa!
PS: I will be backing Jaytee Jet AGAIN in the Greyhound Derby on Sky Saturday night at Wimbledon. Pray he flies in. Come on Paul Hennessy. You can read the Paddy Power trading room opinion of the race here.