Saturday 7th June 2025
1.00 Epsom: Princess Elizabeth Stakes: We get things underway on Derby Day at Epsom at 1.00 with the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes for Fillies & Mares over a mile and half of a furlong. This is extremely competitive, however, I’ve come down on Royal Dress for James Tate, who’s the mount of William Buick. She took her form to the next level since joining this yard last season, winning a Listed contest at Goodwood on her first start last term before adding a Group 3 success to her CV at the Curragh last July. She made her return to the track in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York last month when a distant third to runaway winner See The Fire. That was a solid run as that horse is a Group 1 mare, and it should’ve put her spot on for this. She won’t mind any rain should it come, and I think she can post a bold bid here under Buick. Royal Dress – 11/2 (0.5pts Each-Way)
1.35 Epsom: Betfred Diomed Stakes: Next up it’s the 1.35 and this is the Group 3 Diomed Stakes that’s contested over a mile and half of a furlong. I’m pretty strong on the chances of Docklands here for the team of Harry Eustace and Richard Kingscote. He’d been contested Group 1 contests all around the world prior to his seasonal reappearance in the UK in April, and that latest effort was a fine one as he finished half of a length second to Sardinian Warrior in Listed company at Ascot. That rival has since gone on to finish a length second to the very talented Sosie in the Group 1 Prix d’Isphan in France, which makes the form look very solid. A repeat of that level of form could be enough to win this, and I make him the one to beat. Docklands – 15/8 (1pt Win)
2.10 Epsom: Betfred 3YO “Dash” Handicap: The third race of the day is the 2.10 and this is the three-year-old Dash, which is an ultra-competitive Class 3 handicap over five furlongs. I’ve sided firstly with Mademoiselle here for George Scott, who’s the mount of David Egan. She won back-to-back races within maiden and novice company last term and posted a fine effort on her seasonal reappearance when finishing half of a length second of ten to Ruby’s Profit on handicap debut at Goodwood last month. She’ll re-oppose that rival here, and I think she can reverse the form given the distance and off better weights, and she looks to be a progressive filly for an in-form yard. She’ll need some luck, as will they all, but she does look solid. Mademoiselle – 6/1 (0.5pts Each-Way) (5 places – Several firms)
2.10 Epsom: Betfred 3YO “Dash” Handicap: I also like the chances of Cape Sovereign here, who represents the team of Kevin Ryan and Hollie Doyle. He comes into the race still a maiden, which isn’t an obvious plus, however, he’s shown solid form since handicapping following being gelded in the Spring, finishing three-quarters of a length second of eleven at Beverley in May before finishing fourth in a big-field competitive Class 3 handicap at York later that month. You could probably mark the York run up even further, as he was on the wrong side of the track at the business end of things and still kept on to get into the placings. He’ll contest this off just a pound higher than the York run, and can go well once again. Cape Sovereign – 7/1 (0.5pts Each-Way) (5 places – Several firms)
2.45 Epsom: Aston Martin “Dash” Handicap: My fourth selection of the afternoon comes within the 2.45, and this is the Dash for the older horses and a Heritage Handicap over five furlongs. Just like its predecessor, this is extremely competitive, and a lot of luck in the run is needed. I’m taking a chance on one with small stakes at a big price, though, and that’s Vintage Clarets for Richard Fahey and Warren Fentiman, who takes off five pounds. He’s been an admirable performer for the yard, and added a further couple of victories to his CV last term, both coming within competitive handicaps. He ran well last time out at York when just two and three-quarter lengths behind the progressive American Affair when finishing sixth of seventeen. He’s just a pound ahead of his last winning mark here, and with five coming off via his rider, he looks attractively treated. I think he can go well at a nice price. Vintage Clarets – 11/1 (Each-Way) (0.25pts Each-Way) (5 places – Several firms)
3.30 Epsom: Betfred Derby: The big one comes up at 3.30, and this is none other than the Group 1 Betfred Derby, which is over a mile and four furlongs. Like the Oaks, I’ve had a win selection as well as an each-way play in the race, and starting with my win selection here, that’s Delacroix for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He looks solid for me here; he signed off his campaign last term with a nose second in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster to Hotazhell, and he’s since returned to the track looking better than ever, winning back-to-back Group 3s at Leopardstown. Both of those victories have come over ten furlongs, and the way he powered through the line last time gave the impression this extra couple of furlongs won’t be an issue. Ruling Court is possibly a better horse; however, over this distance, the O’Brien charge could get the better of him, and the potential softer surface could blunt his speed. Delacroix – 7/2 (1pt Win)
3.30 Epsom: Betfred Derby: I’ve tried my hand with an each-way selection in the race at a huge price, and that’s Al Wasl Storm for Owen Burrows and David Probert. The connections aren’t strangers to have big-priced horse run well in this race, and this cheap purchase isn’t a forlorn hope. He comes into the race having only won a maiden at Chester last time out, however, the form of that maiden is working out well with the second, third, and fourth all coming out to win since. That success also came over half of a furlong further than today’s distance, meaning he’ll have no issue with the trip, and Chester is often seen as a good preparation for Epsom as it’s regularly used by Aidan O’Brien. He may well be totally outclassed, however, I think he’s worth a poke at a monster price. Al Wasl Storm – 80/1 (0.25pts Each-Way) (4 places – Several firms)
4.15 Epsom: Encore Lifestyle Northern Dancer Handicap: My final selection on Derby day comes within the 4.15, and this is a Class 2 handicap which is also ridden over a mile and four furlongs. I like Valvano in this particular affair for the team of Ralph Beckett and Hector Crouch. He’s a lightly-raced four-year-old who has shown a solid level of form since going handicapping, running well in three consecutive Class 2 handicaps on his last three outings. His most recent effort came at Goodwood last month on seasonal reappearance, where he was fourth of eleven behind Sir Lowry’s Pass, keeping on in the closing stages. That run should’ve blown away the cobwebs, and significant improvement is likely here now he’s back up in distance. Valvano – 10/3 (1pt Win)