Friday 5th June 2026
The Derby Meeting at Epsom takes centre-stage this week on Friday and Saturday, and I’ll be kicking my picks off in the 3.15 on Friday, which is a Class 2 handicap over a mile and two furlongs. I’m quite strong on one here, and that’s SALLAAL for Roger Varian and Ray Dawson. He was a winner on his handicap debut last year, before going on to contest Listed events, and there is likely more improvement to come from him. He made his seasonal reappearance here in April when finishing second of six, and a length behind Rathgar; however, he was given far too much to do that day, and came flying home at the business end of things. He’s up five pounds for that effort; however, as stated, there could be more to come from him yet, and with a better ride, he can get a lot closer. The progressive Respond is a big danger for Andrew Balding on the back of his impressive success at Chester, and a mention also has to go to Alpha Crucis, who’ll have no issue with the distance or any testing ground.
The big one comes up at 4.00, which comes in the form of the Betfred Oaks, a Group 1 affair for the fillies that’s contested over a mile and four furlongs. I’ve had two bets in the races, as I think both hold very solid claims, the first of which is THUNDERING ON for Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle. I’ve been impressed with her in both starts this campaign, despite her getting very narrowly beaten on her seasonal reappearance. She showed that she has an impressive turn of foot on that occasion, and the second time up it was executed much better, which saw her power away to win a Group 3 by three and a quarter of a length. She looks like a very bright prospect moving forward, and there should be a lot more to come. I’ve also backed LEGACY LINK for John & Thady Gosden, who’s the mount of Colin Keane. She was last seen winning the Musidora Stakes at York, getting the better of a likely good filly in Felicitas in the process. That was the first run of the season for this Dubawi mare, and she’ll likely take a big step forward here, with the further distance always likely to bring out more improvement.
There are a whole host of likely other candidates in a race of this nature. I do think that Cameo could fare the better of the O’Brien runners, as she looked impressive in the trial at Lingfield; however, Amelia Earhart still has to be respected at the top of the betting, as she’s also the choice of Ryan Moore.
My final selection of the day at Epsom comes within the 4.40, and this is a Class 2 handicap over a mile and half of a furlong. I’m with the George Boughey-trained CELEBORN here, who’s the mount of Billy Loughnane. He won over course and distance on his only start of last season, winning a thirteen-runner affair by two lengths. He was off the track for over a year following that effort, and it’s almost certain he needed his comeback run at Newbury last month, where he finished fifth of eleven. He drops back down to the winning distance here, and he’s still very unexposed. It would be no surprise to see him get a lot closer with a run under his belt. Man Of La Mancha had no luck in the run when fifth in a competitive affair at Newbury last time out, but he can get closer with a clearer passage here. Another to note would be Asmen Warrior, who has been knocking on the door within handicaps for a while now, and will likely be on the premises again.
Friday Selections
Epsom Derby Festival (Day 1)
05/06/2026
3.15 Epsom
SALLAAL – (7/2) (Win) (NAP)
4.00 Epsom
THUNDERING ON – (11/2) (Each-Way)
LEGACY LINK – (9/2) (Each-Way)
4.40 Epsom
CELEBORN – (5/1) (Each-Way) (NB)
