The Derby market is headed by 5-2 favourite English King (pictured) for whom Frankie Dettori has now been booked to ride, he carries the same colours as Champion Stayer and Ascot Gold Cup winner Stradivarius, the next one in the market is the 9-2 chance Kameko. It's been reported this week that Military March, third favourite for the Derby at Epsom on 4th July, will now miss the race. Saeed bin Suroor, who trains the horse for the Godolphin team, said he had suffered a setback. "We will give him plenty of time and hopefully he will be back racing later in the season".
Going and Weather
The going at Epsom is presently reported as Good (7.6)
The weather has deteriorated as you might have noticed, regular showers throughout the week and further chances of rain on Saturday morning. This afternoon's racecard and selections including the big races will be updated here, The Oaks will be the first of the two Classics today off at 3:40pm, while The Derby is later on the card at 4:55pm.
1:50 The Investec Woodcote Stakes (2yo)
6f [Class 2 5 runners]
A race won last year by Pinatubo so will be interested to see who comes out of this renewal, our small and select field of five runners has a Godolphin representatives with MODERN NEWS looking to get back into the winning ways after a disappointing run when 5th in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot. While support for Mark Johnston's MUTAZAWWED who steps into this grade after couple of all weather runs should be noted seriously. The un-raced CALCUTTA CUP gets 5lb from the field but would have to be decent to win first time up here, with a field of five this could turn into a tactical race and a sprint finish on this cambered track needs a little experience. [Winner - 4. Twaasol 9/4 jf]
2:25 The Investec Surrey Stakes [Listed]
7f [Class 1 6 runners]
Another small field but a good opportunity for SHINE SO BRIGHT to secure a nice prize, sired by a Derby winner hopefully will be fine on the track for the King Power Racing team. DARIK has been a successful servant on the all weather tracks till now, this is very different, also VALE OF KENT has yet to show his class this year but was 4th in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot and then outclassed in a Group 3 race last week so this field should be more his sphere. [Winner - 4 Safe Voyage 6/5f]
3:00 The Investec Handicap Stakes
1m 2f [Class 2 16 runners]
This looks a big field handicap but in reality it should be comfortable for DESERT ICON [Non Runner] following his 8L+ win last Sunday at Newmarket, assuming that he doesn't meet any traffic problems should scoot clear in the last furlong again and despite top weight does look well in here with only a 6lb rise for that emphatic win (take 3/1 now, should go shorter). The pair of Sky Defender [Won 22/1] and Certain Lad can chase him home at decent odds too so could play them to place. late news - sadly Desert Icon is now a non runner so it's far more open. [Winner - 5 Sky Defender 22/1] a nice success for us.
3:40 The Investec Oaks [Group 1]
1m 4f [Class 1 8 runners]
Two Classic's being run today, the ladies line up first where we've already been backing FRANKLY DARLING even before their latest win at the Royal meeting, with Dettori booked is sure to be popular too and I wouldn't be surprised if she goes off favourite at race time. Current favourite is LOVE the 1000 Guineas winner for Aiden O'Brien who as usual is mob handed here with three runners in a field of only eight, and hopefully all eight will stand so we can have a little place wager with QUEEN DAENERYS at 33/1 and while not the class of the front two in the market it is possible she'll stay the trip well and sneak a place late on. [Winner - 5 Love 11/10f]
4:15 The Princess Elizabeth Stakes [Group 3]
1m 113yds [Class 1 6 runners]
Time for a Group Three race before the next main event today, small field again only the six appear all three year old fillies, still a shame to see Hayley Turner sidelined by injury and replaced by Ryan Moore on ONASSIS given her big win at Ascot. This looks a big leap for LOVE AND THUNDER but you ignore any Gosden/Dettori runner here at your peril, while FOORAAT has only had two all weather wins to show so far but seems likely to go off favourite for this and has some high profile entries too. [Winner - 6 Summer Romance 9/1]
4:55 The Investec Derby [Group 1]
1m 4f [Class 1 16 runners]
The famous Epsom Derby, running about a month later than usual, but still a fascinating contest with a large field of sixteen but with no less than six Aiden O'Brien so there shouldn't be any hype if he's successful given the way they swamp the entries and declarations. Hopefully it'll be a third Derby for Frankie Dettori on board ENGLISH KING in the same colours as the Ascot Gold Cup winner Stradivarius. We've classic form here with 2000 Guineas winner KAMEKO stepping up in trip, shouldn't be far away if staying the extra four furlongs, and then we are into the O'Brien horses with MOGUL the choice of Ryan Moore and he has been well supported this week. Interesting outsiders with a nice back story too, I'd want to see how PYLEDRIVER goes here with Derby winning jockey Martin Dwyer (Sir Percy, 2006).
[Winner - 6 Serpentine 25/1] Shock winner led them all way and they never got close enough, one of Aiden's many entries but not the one that everyone expected, big prices take the places too, maybe not going to be seen as a high quality renewal of the Derby.
5:35 The Investec Zebra Handicap
7f [Class 3 15 runners]
Our finale on Derby day is competitive enough but had I have been attending the meeting I think I'd have left before now and made the walk down the hill ... anyway for the purpose of a complete card this would be a race to take the two course and distance winners against the field, CORAZON ESPINADO won this last year and beat our other selection HATEYA by a short head perhaps there will be a reverse here this afternoon. A big price selection for each way players is DIRTY RASCAL with the in form Tom Marquand in the saddle, has won on this one at Goodwood earlier and this does look like an easier race than recent options. [Winner - 12 Muntadab 7/2f]
Hope you had a few winners too, and that's nearly the Classic season over with just the St Leger to come for 2020.
Have a great weekend. stay safe and well.
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