It’s Derby Day Saturday and all the big-race action from Epsom is on the main ITV network with the feature itself off at 4.30pm.
Let’s get straight to it race by race, and ITV kicks off at 2.00pm with a handicap over 1m 2f. LE DON DE VIE has decent course winning form and although it was at 1m last time, this step up in distance is no problem at all. Has a great each-way chance for Andrew Balding.
Next up at 2.35pm is the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes for fillies and mares over an extended 1m. With a BHA rating of 110, VERACIOUS should take all the beating. Admittedly she was poor at Newmarket last time, but I think she will show that form was all wrong here for Sir Michael Stoute.
The 3.10pm is another Group 3 contest over the mile. BYE BYE HONG KING battled on well to score at Windsor last time and gets plenty of weight from some of these rivals. He’s getting better all the time and could be hard to pass again for trainer Andrew Balding.
It’s all about speed at 3.45pm, with the 5f ‘Dash’ handicap to sort out. DARK SHOT hit form for Scott Dixon at York last time when second to Duke of Firenze. He’s ran well in this race the last two years when second and fifth and is well enough drawn in stall nine to play a part. He has been rated in the 90s before so his 86 rating is fine. Great chance to hit the places where Paddy’s paying the first 5 home.
And finally the Derby at 4.30pm, the biggest Group 1 race of them all over 1m 4f. I want Telecaster to win for jockey Oisin Murphy of course, but I have a feeling that BROOME is the solid horse in the line-up and I am happy to back him each-way at about 4-1 in a race where Paddy is paying the first four home. He’s long been crying out for this trip and I like his attitude.
He can give Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien a record-equaling seventh win in the race. So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
*Prices correct at time of publishing
Scoot over to PaddyPower.com now for all the latest racing odds