Friday 2nd June 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard to my preview for the Epsom Derby Festival of 2023 where we have two days of stellar action on Friday and Saturday, with the Oaks and Derby itself taking centre stage. I’ll be previewing both days in full so as ever, if you are having a punt, make sure to do it in a responsible manner.
The action gets underway at 2:00 with the Woodcote Stakes that’s contested over six furlongs. I like the chances of Haatem here who reperesents the team of Pat Dobbs and Richard Hannon, he built on a promising debut last time out at Bath when bolting up by the best part of six-lengths. He looks like a potentially exciting colt by Phoenix Of Spain and if continuing his progression here he’s got to be considered as a huge player.
Next up it’s the 2:35 which is handicap action that’s over a mile and half of a furlong. This is a competitive affair, however, I’ve come down on Dutch Decoy for Charlie Johnston and Neil Callan. He’s been posting solid efforts as of late, and will contest this particular assignment still on his last winning mark. If getting some luck in the run and handling this testing track, he’s got every chance of going well here.
It’s the 3:10 now which is Group 1 action in the form of the Coronation Cup over a mile and four furlongs. I think that this year’s renewal of the race can go to Westover for the combination of Ralph Beckett and Rob Hornby. He placed in the English Derby last year before going on to bolt up in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh by seven lengths. He was last seen when finishing second in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March and he’s got to have a massive chance here on his best form.
The 3:45 is where we go next which is more handicap action this time over a mile and two furlongs. I’ve sided with Marhaba The Champ here who represents William Buick and Kevin Ryan. He arrives here in great form having won a competitive handicap at the Dante Meeting at York earlier last month. He’s only been raised a couple of pounds for that success and still looks to have a progressive profile. If turning up in the same form he could go close again.
Coming up at 4:30 is the big one in the Oaks which is Group 1 action for fillies over a mile and four furlongs. Savethelastdance will be a very warm order here on the back of her demoliton job at Chester, however, I’ve tried to take her on and I’ve done that with Running Lion for Oisin Murphy and John Gosden. She comes into the race having won her last four outings with her most recent succes coming in the listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket last month. She looks a very exciting filly for connections who have a lot of success in this race in recent years.
It’s the 5:10 where the attention turns too now and this is the listed Surrey Stakes that’s ridden over a distance of seven furlongs. I think that this can go to Holguin for the powerhouse team of Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding. He’s gone down narrowly on his last two outings where he’s finished a neck second on both occasions, most recently within listed company at Haydock. If handling a quicker surface here he’s got a massive chance of going one better.
Signing us off is the 5:45 which is a Class 2 handicap that’s contested over seven furlongs. It could pay to side with Urban Sprawl again here for Charlie Johnston and Joe Fanning who comes into the race having recently won at Goodwood. This track is likely to suit him and he might get an easy time of things out in the lead here, if that’s the case, they may well struggle to peg him back if turning up in the same form.
