Saturday 1st June 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (@jordan_yates_)
1.25: Hong Kong Jockey Club Lester Piggott Handicap: We kick things off on Derby Day at Epsom with the 1.25 which is a Class 2 handicap that’s contested over a mile and two furlongs. I like Portsmouth here for the team of Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. He won here impressively by over three lengths on his seasonal reappearance back in April and followed it up when second on heavy ground at Goodwood last month. He looks like a promising sort with more to offer and can use his track experience to good effect here. Portsmouth – 10/3 (Win)
2.00: Princess Elizabeth Stakes: The second race of the afternoon is the 2.00 which is Group 3 action for fillies & mares over a mile and half of a furlong. I’m taking a chance on Chic Colombine here for George Boughey and William Buick. She was highly progressive last season and opened her account with a listed success in France. She receives a sizeable weight allowance in this and despite flopping in Group 1 company last time out, she can certainly make her presence felt dropped back down to this sort of level. Chic Colombine – 6/1 (Each-Way)
2.35: Betfred Diomed Stakes: Next up it’s the 2.35 which is the Group 3 Diomed Stakes that’s also contested over a mile and half of a furlong. I like Embesto here who’s currently a 4/1 chance in the betting for Roger Varian and James Doyle. He was placed in listed company last term before dead-heating in a Group 3 at Salisbury back in August. He was slightly underwhelming on his seasonal reappearance when fifth of nine behind Ottoman Fleet in the Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket, however, it’s likely that he needed the run that day and should come on for that run here. He’s still unexposed and I think he can have a big say in this. Embesto – 4/1 (Win)
3.10: Betfred 3YO “Dash” Handicap: My fourth selection of the afternoon comes in the 3.10 which is the 3 year-old ‘Dash’ over five furlongs. I’m with Due For Luck here for John & Sean Quinn and Jason Hart. He returned to the track with a very encouraging effort when third of eight at Chester last month and only half of a length behind the winner. He’s was unlucky to not get closer as well on that occasion as he was slow away and had to switch in the run. If getting a bit more luck here he can certainly have a serious say off just a couple of pounds higher. Due For Luck – 9/2 (Win)
3.45: Aston Martin “Dash” Handicap: The Dash itself takes place at 3.45, also over five furlongs and is a Heritage Handicap. I’m going to take a chance on Live In The Moment here who’s currently trading at 9/1 for Alice Haynes and Sean Bowen who takes off five pounds. He progressed from his seasonal reappearance at Goodwood when finishing fourth of ten over six furlongs at Doncaster last time out and a drop back down to five may be what he’s after here. He’s well-handicapped and looks to have conditions to suit, he’ll just need some luck in what is a very tough race. Live In The Moment – 9/1 (Each-Way)
4.30: Betfred Derby: Signing me off for the afternoon will be the big one itself at 4.30 which is the Betfred Derby over a mile and four furlongs. In this year’s renewal of the Classic I’ve decided to pin my hopes on Ancient Wisdom for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He’s already a Group 1 winner having won the Kameko Futurity Trophy at Doncaster back in October and made a pleasing enough return to the track when second in the Dante behind Economics. He looked a bit one-paced last time out and this step-up in trip to a mile and four furlongs should be ideal. Any cut in the ground would also be a big plus. Ancient Wisdom – 6/1 (Each-Way)
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