Saturday 6th June 2026
Welcome aboard to this Saturday blog, and it’s a big one, as it’s Derby Day at Epsom. Kicking things off at 1.30 will be the Group 3 Tattenham Corner Stakes over seven furlongs, formerly the John Of Gaunt. I’m with the Joseph O’Brien-trained ALCANTOR here, who’s the mount of Dyaln Browne McMonagle. He was a five-time winner when trained in France by Andre Fabre, and there was encouragement to be had from his stable debut for Joseph at Leopardstown last month, finishing fourth of eight, having led before getting tired. He should take a big step forward coming into his second start here, and dropping down to seven furlongs could also be beneficial. Never So Brave is the obvious big danger at the top of the betting for Andrew Balding. I expect him to be much closer on his second start here, and Ten Bob Tony also makes the shortlist, given that he won this race last year when it was at Haydock.
Next up, it’s the 2.05, and this is the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes for fillies & mares over a mile and half of a furlong. This is very competitive; however, I’ve come down on PACIFIC MISSION for the team of Andrew Balding and Colin Keane. She progressed impressively at the back end of last season, placing in Group 2 company at Doncaster, before signing off her season with an excellent second in Group 1 company at the Breeders’ Cup. She was slightly underwhelming on her seasonal reappearance at York last month; however, she likely needed the run that day, and she should be a lot more tuned up for this assignment. She’s against her elders here; however, she gets a lot of weight as a result, and I think there’s more to come from her. She’s Perfect will be a warm order at the top of the market, given that she was the first past the post in the French 1000 Guineas last time, and she commands respect on that run. Pina Sonata is another big player; she’s lightly raced but looks highly progressive, and can make her presence felt.
We move into Group 1 company at 2.40, as the Coronation Cup takes centre-stage over a mile and four furlongs. I find it very hard to oppose CALANDAGAN here, and he’s my best bet of the day for Francis-Henri Graffard and Mickael Barzalona. He comes into the race having certified himself as one of the best horses in the world, winning five consecutive Group 1 affairs, including when taking the Sheema Classic in impressive style last time out. If he’s anywhere near his best, he should prove incredibly tough to beat. He was, however, beaten in this race last year, and he was beaten by the horse who I think is his chief threat again this time around, and that’s Jan Brueghel for Aidan O’Brien. He’ll be looking to expose any stamina doubts with the favourite, the French superstar did gain revenge, though, when beating the O’Brien charge in the King George at Ascot in July.
The fourth race of the afternoon, and my fourth selection of the afternoon, comes up at 3.15, and this is the Dash, a Heritage Handicap over five furlongs. This is a ferociously run and competitive affair; however, I do like KINSWOMAN for William Haggas and Tom Marquand. She made rapid progress last autumn, proving to be ultra-consistent and winning three out of her last four outings. She made her seasonal reappearance at Yarmouth last month and was only narrowly denied another success, finishing a neck second of seven. There could be a considerable amount of progression still to come from her, and if she gets some luck in the run here, she can have a big say. You can make a case for most of the field here. Lexington Blitz is a big danger, as he was impressive at Goodwood last time out, and Democracy Dilemma has run well in this race before and is well-handicapped.
Moving on to the showpiece at 4.00, which is none other than the Group 1 Betfred Derby, which is contested over a mile and four furlongs. The all-conquering Ballydoyle team once again have a strong hand, and I think that they can take this year’s renewal with BENVENUTO CELLINI, who’s the selection of Ryan Moore. He announced himself on to the stage with a taking five-length success in a Group 2 at Leopardstown back in September, and returned to action this term with a comfortable success in the Chester Vase, a race which O’Brien often uses as a stepping stone for this. He looks to have every bit of potential to be a top-class colt, and if he takes the likely leap forward following his Chester outing, he’s the one to beat. His stablemate Pierre Bonnard still retains potential, and if he does show improvement, he has every chance of being involved of playing a meaningful role. Charlie Johnston’s Ancient Egypt was impressive when winning at Newmarket on reappearance, and this step up in distance could unlock further improvement.
Saturday Selections
Epsom Derby Festival (Day 2)
06/06/2026
1.30 Epsom
ALCANTOR – (9/2) (Each-Way)
2.05 Epsom
PACIFIC MISSION – (5/1) (Each-Way)
2.40 Epsom
CALANDAGAN – (10/11) (Win) (NAP)
3.15 Epsom
KINSWOMAN – (5/1) (Each-Way) (5 places)
4.00 Epsom
BENVENUTO CELLINI – (2/1) (Win) (NB)
