Saturday 5th June 2021
Welcome to my preview for this year’s Derby which is set to take place at Epsom on Saturday 5th June. Just like the Guineas Preview I’ll be previewing the race by giving my insight and opinions on the contenders who sit the most prominently in the betting.
As ever, enjoy!
– Jordan
Author: Jordan Yates
It will probably be unsurprising for you to see that Aidan O’Brien has a stranglehold on this year’s renewal of the race, as the Ballydoyle master is responsible for both of the horses at the top of the market. The current favourite at a general price of 15/8 is Bolshoi Ballet who will more than likely be the mount of Ryan Moore. He comes here on the back off two impressive victories within Group 3 company, with the latest being a 6 length demolition of a Derby Trial at Leopardstown. Personally, I think he’ll take a lot of beating here as there’s likely a lot more to come from him, a massive player. High Definition is the second favourite and can currently be found trading at around a general price of 4/1. He was the winner of the Group 2 Beresford Stakes last term and made his seasonal reappearance this time around in the Dante at York, where he finished third. It’s likely he’ll improve a great deal for that outing though and he has to be considered a huge player also.
It’s another Irish raider that’s behind the O’Brien duo at the top of the market and that’s the Jim Bolger trained Mac Swiney. A dual Group 1 winner having most recently won the Irish 2000 Guineas, which added to his Vertem Futurity win at Doncaster at the back end of last term. He’s a horse that I’m a huge fan of and he has to have an obvious chance here, one thing to note with him though is he does seem to show his best form on a softer surface.
Looking at the home challenge now and currently sitting the most prominent in the betting for the UK runners is John Leeper for the Ed Dunlop yard. A Frankel colt who’s got a striking pedigree that was last seen when winning within Listed company at Newmarket earlier this month. It’s likely he’s got a bit to find with some of the Irish contenders here but he’s still got a fair each-way chance and he could prove a popular alternative with punters. Godolphin’s main hope this year looks to come in the form of the Dante winner Hurricane Lane. He got the better of High Definition in that Dante last time and finds himself twice the price of him on this occasion which is quite interesting, also by Frankel like John Leeper he’s a very promising colt who will be defending an unbeaten record here having won all three of his starts to date.
Sticking with the theme of Frankel colts Mohaafeth is another son of the great one who looks to have a very solid chance. William Haggas’ three-year-old couldn’t have looked any more impressive when taking a Listed contest at Newmarket last time and despite having a bit to find on those more prominent in the betting, he’s another that I think has a great each-way chance. This year’s Lingfield Derby Trial was taken by Third Realm who will look to take his chance here for Roger Varian. He wasn’t the most fancied of runners on that day having gone off at 14/1 but he showed he’s got plenty of talent in the locker when getting the better of a well fancied favourite. The three-year-old by the Sea The Stars is a similar price on this occasion but is one not to be underestimated.
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