EPSOM DERBY MEETING - SATURDAY 5th JUNE 2021

The Derby Festival (now sponsored by Cazoo) enters it's second day this Saturday with the 242nd running of the historic blue ribbon event The Derby. Delayed until July last year due to the pandemic it's great to see the races return to their traditional date in the calendar and also for there to be a limited attendance too. Not the 100k+ that we'd usually see descend upon the downs but it's a step forward. 

Today is the colt's turn and who will take the title from last years runaway winner Serpentine trained by Aiden O'Brien (right), and ridden by Emmet McNamara, who may well line up in Friday's Coronation Cup (wasn't declared sadly). There is a strong supporting card on both days, today will also see the renewal of the Group 3 Diomed Stakes [3:10pm] as well as the 5f Epsom Dash handicap while the feature race itself is due off at 4:30pm, live coverage will be on ITV channel in Uk. Epsom's five furlongs course, which is downhill until the last 100 yards, is reputed to be the fastest of its kind in the world, the current world record for five furlongs, 53.69 seconds, was set by Stone of Folca in this race in 2012.

Going / Weather
Going - Good to soft (Updated Saturday morning from Good)
Weather for Saturday is for another dry day and a maximum temperature of 22C. 

Here are our selections for today's card, our feature race is off at 4:30pm. 

14:00  Cazoo Handicap (3yo)
1m 2f 17y  [Class 2  8 runners]
Mark Johnston runs three here which clouds things a little though looks like King Frankel would be the pick of his, several of these step up in grade and PATIENTS DREAM was a winner here last time out and conditions will help again. An outsider of interest to me is ZHANG FEI and David Egan is riding well of late might be able to squeak a place at 20/1.
Winner - (9) Solent Gateway @28/1 [Hayley Turner].

14:35  Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3)
1m 113y  [Class 1  8 runners]
First of the supporting group races, for fillies and mares, where we will side with the pair of MAAMORA (S&E Crisford) along with STATEMENT (M Meade). Maamora has already won a similar event last year at Sandown and has been racing in Dubai with some credit in group two company. While Statement stepped forward after winning her maiden to be runner up in the Fred Darling stakes at Newbury and a repeat of that level should see her get involved again.
Winner - (3) Parent's Prayer @4/1 [Oisin Murphy].

15:10  Cazoo Diomed Stakes (Group 3)
1m 113y  [Class 1  7 runners]
The next group three race could see a double for the Crisford yard with CENTURY DREAM back in class after competing in the group one Lockinge stakes at Newbury. Having won the Celebration Mile at Goodwood (group two) it was therefore no surprise to see him try the highest level. Sir Michael Stoute runs MAXIMAL [Non Runner] and it's around this time before Royal Ascot that the yard begins to thrive. Chased home a decent winner at Chester last time, this long straight should give him plenty of time to make a positive move.
Winner - (6) Oh This Is Us @18/1 [Tom Marquand].

15:45  'Dash' Handicap (Heritage Handicap)
5f  [Class 2  16 runners]
The huge field for the fastest 5f sprint in the country, twenty declared and this is a minefield. top weights Stone of Destiny and Exalted Angel will find it hard to give weight and are both drawn high, ORNATE is one of a few that have a good record here and despite the advancing years should go well from a low draw (6). BLUE DE VEGA is another with good experience here and would be interesting to see what the market says about his chances from stall 3. 

Outsider - The 12yo DUKE OF FIRENZE still has races in him even at this late stage in his career reminds me a lot of Borderlescott and at the bottom of this handicap priced  up 33/1 could place if the gaps come, is always played rather late, but at the price is worth a small risk.
Winner - (17) Mokaatil @25/1 [David Egan].

16:30  Cazoo Derby (Group 1)
1m 4f 6y  [Class 1  11 runners]
And at last we get to the big race of the weekend, the 3yo colts have their one and only chance of glory in The Derby. Twelve declared, surprised that this year Aiden O'Brien only has the sole runner (usually has 5, 6+) but it's the favourite BOLSHOI BALLET winner of the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown, already very short in the ante post markets since that success and clearly the one to beat. His son Joseph has a runner too with SOUTHERN LIGHTS at 20/1 was only 6th in that race but was also just his 3rd run. Jim Bolger runs the Irish 2000 Guineas winner MAC SWINEY the question is whether he'll get the extra half mile around this unique track. 

The home challenge is led by Charlie Appleby who runs three in the Godolphin blue silks, ADAYAR [Adam Kirby] HURRICANE LANE [William Buick] ONE RULER [James Doyle] with Hurricane Lane perhaps the pick of the trio and the only unbeaten runner here. JOHN LEEPER has Frankie Dettori on board and is named after the trainers late father John Dunlop. Ed Dunlop's contender, bred as a son of Frankel out of the trainer's 2010 Oaks heroine Snow Fairy, named after his late father, himself a dual-Derby winning trainer with Shirley Heights in 1978 and Erhaab in 1994, would certainly be the most emotional story today if he is successful.
Winner - (1) Adayar @16/1 [Adam Kirby].

17:15  Northern Dancer Handicap
1m 4f 6y  [Class 2  10 runners]
A handicap over the Derby trip, AUSTRALIS should run better over this trip instead of recent efforts over two miles, has wins on the all weather during the winter season and if he can find some turf form on the fast going shouldn't be too far away. Going to have two against the field here so MIDNIGHTS LEGACY (WON 12/1) comes into our reckoning too Alan King's 4yo can show a similar form to his two wins over this trip at Haydock last summer, couple of recent runner up efforts makes him interesting again in a wide open race.
Winner - (5) Midnights Legacy @12/1 [William Buick].

17:50  Epsom Welcomes Cazoo Handicap
6f 3y  [Class 2  9 runners]
the finale is a decent six furlong sprint, a winner already at Kempton and Goodwood this season DESERT SAFARI looks a typical Mark Johnston improver were it'll be no surprise if he picks up another handicap or two along the way this term. Do also like EJTILAAB (WON 3/1) trained by Ian Williams ran well when runner up at Chester and steps back a furlong for this we'll pick that pair against the field.
Outsider - TINTO (A Perrett) sliding down the handicap and has a chance despite the long losing run, blinkers tried again and good chance of a place despite the no show in the Victoria handicap at Ascot last time (no chance with the draw).
Winner - (9) Ejtilaab @3/1 [David Egan].

Results from today's meeting will be update later throughout the afternoon. Have a great weekend. 

EPSOM OAKS MEETING - FRIDAY 4th JUNE 2021

The Derby Festival (now sponsored by Cazoo) includes Oaks Day, previously known as Ladies' Day, and Derby Day returning to Epsom Downs Racecourse on Friday 4th and Saturday 5th June. Delayed until July last year due to the pandemic it's good to not only see the races return to their traditional date in the calendar but also for there to be a limited attendance too. Not the 100k+ that we'd usually see descend upon the downs but it's a step forward. 

Friday is Oaks day for the fillies, a race won last year by the impressive LOVE (pictured left) trained by Aiden O'Brien, and ridden by Ryan Moore. There is a strong supporting card on both days, Friday will also see the renewal of the Group 1 Coronation Stakes [3:10pm] while the feature race itself is due off at 4:30pm, live coverage will be on ITV channel in Uk.

Going / Weather
Going report - Good [Good to firm in places].
Weather forecast for Friday, expecting some rain today but a high of 21C makes it a June to enjoy if you lucky enough to be there. 

14:00  Cazoo Woodcote Ebf Stakes
6f 3y  [Class 2  10 runners]
The meeting gets underway with a 2yo contest and a field of ten, while DUSKY PRINCE might not have won a huge event at Brighton on debut that track does display some of the downhill helter skelter nature that will be needed here at Epsom so certainly of interest under Hollie Doyle. 

OSCULA [WON @15/2] also victorious at Brighton and her trainer is having a good season so far with their 2yo's certainly should be able to handle the track so will make that our pair against the field.
Outsider - Maybury needs to settle better but plugged on at Yarmouth on debut, expected to come on for that and at 33/1 could reach a place - Yes 3rd @33/1!
Winner - (8) Oscula @15/2 [Mark Crehan].

14:35  Coral 'Beaten By A Length' Free Bet Handicap
1m 113y  [Class 2  10 runners]
Ten runners, older horses, and IRISH ADMIRAL having moved across the seas to join William Haggas still looks the one to follow. Was third recently at York and that was over a two furlong longer trip, the step back looks fine and ought to be in the finish. A lack of course experience for most here although CORAZON ESPINADO [WON @12/1] is a course and distance winner in the past, has been busy on the all weather tracks but has kept his form in general and capable around this mark so included. Mick Channon sent Storting up to win at Thirsk and although up 5lb for that should still be winning this term somewhere, but maybe a return to Yorkshire would do the trick having won at Pontefract too also unsure if the extra furlong will be suitable now on this tricky course.
Winner - (9) Corazon Espinado @12/1 [Hollie Doyle].

15:10  Coronation Cup (Group 1) (British Champions Series)
1m 4f 6y  [Class 1  7 runners]
A decent renewal of this group one although we don't see last year's Derby winner sadly, but we do have last years winner of this again AL AASY turns up and looks hard to beat having returned this season and picked up a pair of group three's at Newbury prior defending this. Japan and Mogul will not make life easy and Aiden O'Brien's runners here are always respected but I would be interested to see how the market takes to PYLEDRIVER [WON 8/1] a decent set of runs last year including a win at Royal Ascot and third in the St Leger the trip is no problem, though the only run was in last year's Derby finished 11th but the whole field disappointed that day.
Winner - (5) Pyledriver @8/1 [M Dwyer].

15:45  Cazoo Handicap
1m 2f 17y  [Class 2  11 runners]
Open handicap now headed by Sky Defender who continues to run consistently for Mark Johnston might place but finding things hard to win with off this mark. A winner here last time out Victory Chime beat the aforementioned runner but up another 4lb taking him into the 100s so a repeat might be unlikely. Johnston also runs DREAM WITH ME who is improving all the time winning three of his last four and ought to remain competitive again. Hms President won at Windsor last time beating Water's Edge in third this looks a lot tougher.
Winner - (4) Blue Cap @9/2f [Oisin Murphy].

16:30  Cazoo Oaks (Group 1)
1m 4f 6y  [Class 1  14 runners]
Friday's feature race and the fillies turn to shine, not sure there's anything of the calibre of last year's winner Love but Aiden O'Brien does send five runners in this fourteen runner line up. Of these the 1000 Guineas fourth SANTA BARBARA looks the most interesting one if capable of staying the extra trip having found the mile at Newmarket a bit too much, inexperienced but clearly is fancied by the connections the pick by Ryan Moore. Snowfall is probably the second choice of the yard and has Frankie Dettori on board.
Away from Aiden's runners Sherbert Lemon won the Oaks trial at Lingfield and this represents her first chance of a Classic while Zeyaadah ran a good race when runner up at Chester in the Cheshire Oaks although unsure if the ground conditions are ideal now that the sun has come out, her trainer Roger Varian also has Save a Forest and Teona in the field.
Winner - (10) Snowfall @11/2 [L Dettori].

17:10  Play Coral 'Racing-Super-Series' For Free Surrey Stakes (Listed)
7f 3y  [Class 1  4 runners]
The meeting concludes with a pair of 7f events, the Surrey Stakes first which is for three year olds, we'll side with RUN TO FREEDOM [N/R] (H Candy) was only lightly raced as a 2yo but managed a win at Kempton on final start so it's hard to judge their limits hence the price. Also MAMBA WAMBA (Adrian Nicholls) has had more runs, a decent third in the big 2yo race at Redcar and a winner at York, looked to keep improving and another to consider against the field.
Winner - (2) Mehmento @11/8f [Hollie Doyle].

17:40  Cazoo Derby Festival Handicap
7f 3y  [Class 2  12 runners]
Our finale is a decent handicap for older horses headed by Above who has his first turf outing for a while, we'll look at DULAS / PAWS FOR THOUGHT against the field in this fairly open affair. Dulas won a nice handicap at Goodwood and only up 2lb for that effort, while Paws for Thought a winner at Chester last time goes up 7lb for this though has shown improvement in the past and could still have a bit more while clearly in a good mood.
Winner - (11) Rhoscolyn @9/2 [James Doyle].

Results will appear here later in the afternoon while The Derby meeting should be available for tomorrow too. We've started well with a few nice winners in the opening races and a big priced advised place bet too, I hope you enjoy a great weekend.