Epsom Derby Day Tips
- Witness Stand (Epsom, 13.30) – 1pt each-way @ 12/1 (William Hill)
- Sparks Fly (Epsom, 14.05) – 2pts win @ 9/2 (William Hill)
- Calandagan (Epsom, 14.40) – 3pts win @ 11/10 (Betfred)
- Stormy Impact (Epsom, 15.15) – 1pt each-way @ 16/1 (bet365)
- Item (Epsom, 16.00) – 2pts win @ 4/1 (BOYLE Sports)
The Epsom Derby meeting comes to a close with an intriguing edition of the British Classic due off at 16.00. My Saturday racing tips include a Derby selection and some big-price runners elsewhere.
Witness can stand and deliver
It’s no surprise to see last year’s Group 1 City Of York Stakes winner Never So Brave head the ante-post market for this race on betting sites. That was the completion of a notable hat-trick that began with the Buckingham Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot and also included the Group 2 Summer Mile back at the same track. He should be better for his reappearance at Sandown Park and is much respected.
Alcantor is a worthy Irish raider for Joseph O’Brien and there has been some pre-race support for him, while Ten Bob Tony would be a threat if at his best. However, I think it could be worth chancing WITNESS STAND at big odds, on his return from wind surgery and with a first-time headgear combination of cheekpieces and tongue-tie.
Trained by the combination of Dr Richard Newland and Jamie Insole, the five-year-old enjoyed a purple patch last summer, going close in both Listed and Group 2 company, with a win at the latter level sandwiched in between, when he won the Lennox Stakes at Goodwood.
That’s a ‘switchback’ track like this and so it could suit him on his first try here. We know the trip suits and he also acts on soft ground, so we’ll take the chance on a revival of fortunes for him this time on an each-way basis.
Epsom Tips: Witness Stand – 1pt each-way @ 12/1 (William Hill)
Sparks will Fly in Princess Elizabeth Stakes
She’s Perfect heads the market on horse racing betting sites but there would have to be questions about her ability to handle the soft ground that’s forecast. However, there are no qualms on that score for SPARKS FLY, whose five best efforts have all been on soft or heavy ground.
I still think that more than trainer form, draw or any other factor involved in racing, the ability to handle the ground and preferably act well on it is the key. If conditions get worse, then the selection’s chance will be enhanced and it looks prudent to take advantage of the 9/2 currently on offer sooner, rather than later.
David Loughnane’s mare is a Group 3 and Listed winner and this would be her optimum trip, so I think there are several reasons to recommend her,
Epsom Tips: Sparks Fly – 2pts win @ 9/2 (William Hill)
Coronation time for Calandagan
Although he had to give best by half a length to Jan Breughel in this race last year, CALANDAGAN has gone to become nothing short of a revelation for the brilliant Francis-Henri Graffard.
Never out of the first three and not worse than second in all but one of his 14 starts, the son of Gleneagles, put defeat here behind him with five successive Group 1 wins, including the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, the Champion Stakes, the Japan Cup and the Sheema Classic.
Perhaps the only thing he now has left to prove is that he can win around here. He acts on any ground and has 5lb and more in hand on the field. Perhaps the only thing that is keeping him at an odds against price on betting apps is last year’s reverse. I think he can turn the tables.
Epsom Tip: Calandagan – 3pts win @ 11/10 (Betfred)
Stormy to leave a lasting impact
This traditional pre-Derby cavalry charge has again drawn a big field and there’s a handy each-way bet to be hand in STORMY IMPACT.
It’s just her second start of the campaign and she’s been dropped 2lb after being well beaten on her reappearance at York last month. She’s won over C&D, which is very much a positive here. She did that from stall seven but today she’s starting in 16. However, the favourite Kinswoman goes in the next gate, so she could be right up with the pace, which will help.
On a form line through Lexington Blitz, she looks overpriced at 16/1, especially as we know she handles slow ground. She looks worth an each-way play to small stakes.
Epsom Tip: Stormy Impact – 1pt each-way @ 16/1 (bet365)
Item can set Derby agenda
There’s £1m up for grabs in prize money for the Blue Riband of all Flat races and the layers are taking few chances with Bienvenuto Cellini, who won the Chester Vase when last seen and represents the Ballydoyle team of Aidan O’Brien.
We know he gets this trip, which is very much a positive and he’s improved with every race so far, albeit it having been beaten twice, one of those on heavy ground in last year’s Futurity at Doncaster. His trainer has won the last three renewals of this race and six of the last ten Derbies, so he merits vast amounts of respect.
However, the pick of the form to date is with the unbeaten ITEM, who landed the Dante at York last time (1m2½f, good). He settled well last year but did take his time to do so on the Knavesmire. Despite that, he came home strongly and won going away.
He’s an unbeaten Frankel colt (the favourite is by the same sire) and the one question he really needs to answer on Saturday is that of stamina, as his pedigree is more of a 1m2f horse than that off a Derby winner.
Even so, he clearly possesses a lot of ability and, once they’ve covered the first half of this race, the second half doesn’t place as much emphasis on stamina. If Colin Keane can fill him up, I could see him coming home strongly and he’s my suggestion against the favourite. Pierre Bonnard, Maltese Cross and Ancient Egypt are others who should get very competitive.
Epsom Tips Item – 2pts win @ 4/1 (BOYLE Sports)
Free bet for the Derby
Betfred are offering bettors a £10 free bet on both days of the Epsom Derby meeting this year. Head to the Betfred promotions page and find the Epsom bet £10, get £10 page, where punters can opt in.
Next, wager £10 in total on the opening race of the day at 13.30. Punters can place a single or each-way bet, so long as they stake at least £10 in total.
In return, Betfred will credit bettors with £10 in free bets to use on the same day of the meeting.
The free bets can only be used on any race at Epsom that day, but will expire after the final race of the day at the venue.
Gamble responsibly
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Gambling is for those aged 18 and older, and should never be treated as a way to make money. Never bet more than you can afford and when the fun stops, stop.
Gambling sites offer punters tools such as deposit limits, loss limits, profit and loss trackers and self-exclusion options to help you stay in control. Try not to get carried away by any free bets or casino bonuses available on gambling apps.
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