Epsom Derby Day Tips and Previews Saturday

DERBY DAY FROM EPSOM! ITV Racing have live coverage of the Derby and we have tips and previews for every race live on the channel.

Make sure you scroll right down to the bottom to see any multiples we are placing. These can be added direct to your bet365 bet slip.

ITV Racing Saturday Schedule

12.50 Epsom Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3) 1m1/2f
1.30 Epsom Betfred Derby (Group 1) 1m4f
2.10 Epsom Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3) 1m1/2f
2.45 Epsom Aston Martin 3YO “Dash” Handicap (Class 3) 5f
3.20 Epsom Aston Martin “Dash” Handicap (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) 5f
3.55 Epsom Betfred Lester Piggott Handicap (Class 2) 1m2f
4.30 Epsom Rio Ferdinand Foundation Northern Dancer Handicap (Class 2) 1m4f
5.05 Epsom JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap (Class 2) 6f

CLICK ORANGE TO ADD SELECTION DIRECT TO BET365 BET SLIP!

Epsom 12.50

This looks a great opportunity for HIGHLAND AVENUE to finally get back to winning ways. He went straight to the front following a 428 day absence at Newmarket last time and only finished 3 lengths behind Adayar. He had Regal Reality 11 lengths behind in fourth and Lincoln winner Migration last of all. The second Anmaat won at the top level in France since so the form has been franked and he looks the way to go.

Kolsai is obviously unexposed after just 4 starts and ran well on reappearance when half a length behind Canberra Legend but he was a bit flat at Goodwood and would need to bounce back in a big way to win this especially with the favourite fitter now. Of the rest Escobar could still have a big run in him but he is hard to catch right and would need everything to go his way.

Epsom 12.50

Highland Avenue 5/4

Epsom 1.30

With an earlier start than usual the Derby looks a cracker again this year. It is a pretty open affair so I have had two bets in the race. MILITARY ORDER really impressed me winning the Lingfield trial last month. He travelled well and took his gap down the rail when asked before being joined a furlong out. He then went away again looking like a really strong stayer. The time of the race is very good and I expected him to be vying for favouritism and will surely be there at finish.

The two biggest dangers look to be Auguste Rodin who could improve a lot for the run in the Guineas and the step up to this trip and Passenger who got no run in the Dante and could easily give Kingscote and Stoute another win in the race. My second bet actually comes from the Dante with WHITE BIRCH finishing strongly again. He always makes up so much ground easily and this test will be ideal for him. His price just looks to big to pass up on.

Epsom 2.10

The talented PROSPEROUS VOYAGE will relish this fast surface with that Falmouth win over Inspiral still fresh in the mind. She was only fifth at Newmarket but that wasn’t a bad run at all on return and in soft ground and I expect her to leave that behind now. She is still just a 4yo and with Frankie Dettori up again it is no surprise to see her clear favourite for this as I do think she is the most likely winner. I’m pretty sure he’ll go off the front and it will be ‘catch me if you can’.

Potapova also acts very well on a quick surface and she was impressive beating Grande Dame in the Atalanta Stakes at Sandown last season. She pulled up at Goodwood on return but she would have hated that deep ground and it would be no surprise to see her bounce back and finish second. Roman Mist and Astral Beau are both good enough to win this but they surely want softer conditions. Shaara has enough to prove too. 

 

Epsom 2.45

The 3 year-old version is no different to the normal Dash and is pretty open. I think the market has the right favourite at the time of writing in JM JUNGLE who is never far away in these big handicaps. He was last seen at York finishing a close second to Kuwait City with a repeat of the run enough to see him bang there at the line again.

A sneaky selection at a massive price is MINNESOTA LAD who has been running in handicaps over 6 furlongs on soft ground. Considering he won his maiden on fast ground over this trip he could be well handicapped now dropped to mark of 79 and worth a small bet. The main dangers look to be Estate who will go well if in the same form of his win at Salisbury last time and Tattersall who ran behind the selection and has beaten Estate before and seems at his best over this trip.

 

Epsom 3.20

I always love the Dash and it looks as open as ever with it 8/1 bar. I’ve backed 3 in the race with my main hope likely LOOK OUT LOUIS for Julie Camacho. This likeable 7yo has speed to burn and while things didn’t go to plan at Chester last month that run should leave him spot on for this and down 3lb back on a fast surface he is handicapped to have a big say in the outcome here. The track should suit and he will ping out and potentially prove hard to reel in.

The other one I quite like is ZARZYNI for David Barron. Now this 6yo has more duck eggs to his name that actual form in recent starts but despite finishing seventh he was only beaten 2 and a half lengths at York and might not be too far away from a win again. He is 2lb lower and is now 5lb below his last winning mark so at 16/1 is worth chancing. I have also backed MOUNTAIN PEAK who is very nearly top-weight but that is with good reason as he is certainly capable. He was beaten just a head in this last year off a 3lb lower mark and has to be included again. Tons of dangers likely headed by Ancient Times and Sampers Seven.

 

Epsom 3.55

It was hard not to be impressed with FOX JOURNEY on his seasonal reappearance at Newmarket. He clearly thrived for the step up to this trip for the first time and the handicapper certainly liked the performance as well raising him 9lb for the win. The way he went clear I think he will be even better for the run and is the one to beat considering he is carrying under 9 stone here.

Torito and Maasai Mara both look primed to run a big race and would be entitled to have their say on form but I do think the selection has more scope for improvement. Balance Play is very interesting as the form of his last run has worked out well and up to this trip for the first time he could be in the mix.

 

Epsom 4.30

Caius Chorister is definitely feared here and I know she has won on a fast surface before but I do think she is better with juice in the ground and that might be the difference. I’m going to side with SCAMPI who looks a horse on the up now. He has won 3 of his last 5 and I thought he was good value for that victory at York last month where he had Sam Cooke and Real Dream in behind. That looks solid form and up 6lb another big run is clearly on the cards.

It is not just a two-horse race though as Sea King who come on for that promising reappearance run at Kempton. Sir Mark Prescott is in red-hot form right now too and this son of Sea The Stars should still have more to come. Of the rest Sheer Rocks is likeable and deserved to win at Ascot last time. This is a better race but he might still be worth a saver with Harry Davies taking a handy 3lb off his back too.

Epsom 4.30

Scampi 3/1

 

Epsom 5.05

Despite the draw bias being overcome a few times in this race previously I still favour the lower drawn horses and am happy to take a bigger price on MANY A STAR. He was a 7/2 shot for this race last season but was drawn wide and played up in the stalls. He is drawn 2 this year and with his best form on fast ground it looks an ideal opportunity to for a big run.

Probe also got a low draw and comes here in top form after a win at Newmarket. He is the favourite in a hot race where I am not sure it will setup as well for him this time. Mr Wagyu has a wider draw again but he won it last year from stall 12 so only 2lb higher he has to be factored in as a threat. Of the rest Haymaker could fight it out for a place.

ITV Racing Win Treble

Really looking forward to the action on ITV Racing on Saturday and these are my three strongest fancies which I’ve combined to make a nice treble. Pays 20/1!

ITV Racing Win Treble

Epsom 12.50 Highland Avenue

Epsom 2.10 Prosperous Voyage

Epsom 4.30 Scampi

Pays 20/1!

ITV Racing Lucky 15

I’ve backed some nice prices on ITV Racing on Saturday so I’ve combined some of my tips at Epsom to make a Lucky 15. Pays 600/1!

ITV Racing Lucky 15

Epsom 1.30 Military Order

Epsom 2.45 Jm Jungle

Epsom 3.55 Fox Journey

Epsom 4.30 Scampi

Pays 600/1!