The Brigadier

It’s Derby day and the ITV cameras are showing all eight races from an intriguing card from Epsom where following extensive watering throughout the week the ground should be riding perfect with the official report reading as good. I’ve some strong fancies in the last three handicaps today so here’s my racing tips to beat the bookies.   Epsom 12:50 The day kicks off with the Group 3 Betfred Diomed Stakes run over 1M 113 yards. The one to beat has to be the Godolphin horse Highland Avenue. He’s been a talented horse over the years and it’s his latest effort which makes him a stand out here. He appeared to be used as a pacemaker for the re-appearing 2021 Derby winner Adayar at Newmarket in the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes last month keeping on well to finish third to his stablemate beaten 3L, just 1/2L behind the runner up Anmaat with Sir Michael Stoute’s Regal Reality some 11L further back in fourth. Anmaat was out last week in France winning a Group 1 and that looks a good piece of form, certainly better than anything his opponents have mustered in recent times. Handicap ratings have David O’Meara’s Escobar only a pound behind the favourite but he’s best in big field handicaps and was soundly beaten in this contest last season. Imperial Fighter is out of form and Marie’s Diamond has a stone to find with Highland Avenue whilst the only three year old in the field Kolsai maybe the one to chase Highland Avenue home. The only negative against the favourite is the stable form of Charlie Appleby who (upto racing on Thursday) had had just 4 winners from his last 32 runners which by his standards is pretty poor.   HIGHLAND AVENUE 1 point win @ 5/4 BetVictor   Epsom 13:30 This year’s Derby is run earlier than normal due to avoiding a clash with the FA Cup Final and let’s hope there’s no issues with the Animal Rising hooligans who are planning to disrupt the great race. Run over 1M 4F we have a stellar field of 14 for this year’s renewal. Aidan O’Brien struck top form last weekend when winning with Guineas disappointment Little Big Bear and Paddington in the Irish 2000 Guineas and will be hoping that Auguste Rodin can also bounce back from his flop in the 2000 Guineas. He obviously could but at the current prices he’s impossible to put up after his lack lustre effort there for whatever reason. The Dante at York is always the best trial in my opinion and the best of the three that ran that day may well be Sir Michael Stoute’s Passenger. On a day in which Richard Kingscote would like to forget (Astro King anyone!) he constantly ran in to trouble and was flying when finally extracted to finish third to the winner The Foxes beaten only 1 1/2L. Would he have won? It’s hard to tell but that was only his second ever start and improvement is highly likely here stepping up a furlong and a half. He was supplemented for this at the cost of £85,000 and is on the short list for the team that took the race last year. Charlie Appleby’s Military Order, as a full brother to the 2021 winner Adayar, has to be respected. He’s done more coming into the race than his brother did when winning this a couple of years ago with the only negative for me the form of the stable who just aren’t firing on all cylinders. Arrest would be a fairytale result for Frankie Dettori riding in his last Epsom Derby before retirement and that is a distinct possibility although he could have done with easier ground. If you like Arrest then surely it’s worth backing Charlie Johnstone’s Dubai Mile who beat him at Saint Cloud last Autumn over 10F and had an ideal prep for this when running a credible 5th in the 2000 Guineas. It’s baffling that he’s twice the price of Arrest and has to be part of the staking plan along with Passenger. An intriguing race , as always, let the best horse win.   PASSENGER 1 point each way @ 6/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234 DUBAI MILE 1 point each way @ 16/1 Betfred 1/5th 1234   Epsom 14:10 Just the six go to post for the 1M 113 yards Princess Elizabeth Stakes, a Group 3 contest for fillies and mares only. Sir Michael Stoute’s Potapova ran second in this last year but her latest run and re-appearance was blighted by an irregular heartbeat with Ryan Moore pulling her up at Goodwood. It’s hard to fancy her after that effort. Half a length behind Potapova last year was the Archie Watson trainer Roman Mist who ran out a good winner of the listed contest at Goodwood that Potapova pulled up in a month ago on heavy ground. This looks tougher mind and has 11lb to find with favourite and most likely winner Prosperous Voyage. Ralph Beckett’s four year old Prosperous Voyage, a winner here as a two year old, kept top company last season finishing runner up in the 1000 Guineas and causing an upset in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting when defeating Inspiral at 16/1. The ground was probably against her on her re-appearance when only 5th of 9 in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on soft ground and back on a sounder surface and dropped in class looks the one they all have to beat. Ed Walker’s Random Harvest has to shoulder a 3lb penalty which will make this tough for her whilst the ground surely isn’t soft enough for Pam Sly’s flag bearer Astral Beau. The Gosden’s Shaara hated the ground last time and has featured promisingly in gallop reports since, she might be the one to outrun her odds and chase the favourite home.   PROSPEROUS VOYAGE 2 points win @ 7/4 BetVictor   Epsom 14:45 A new race for the card is the class 3 three years only 5F ‘Dash’ handicap with fourteen declared for this inaugural contest. There’s plenty of horses with chances here including Salisbury one-two Estate and Betweenthesticks from a week ago and there shouldn’t be much between that pair at the revised terms although that was a class 5 handicap and this looks tougher especially now they have both been re-assessed. The one I like here is the John Quinn trained Jm Jungle who stepped up his form when tackling fast ground for the first time this season when runner up at York in a competitive class 3 handicap a fortnight ago with Miss Brazen and Tatterstall back in 6th and 7th respectively. He’s been raised 4lb for that fine effort and with his trainer doing so well at this track looks the one to be on here with Jason Hart on board. The interesting one in the field is the Roger Varian trained Russet Gold who we haven’t seen since last October having being gelded since. With Harry Davies, who still claims 3lb, on top booked he’s one to watch carefully in the betting.   JM JUNGLE 1 point each way @ 6/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234   Epsom 15:20 The traditional Derby day cavalry charge is up next with twenty speedsters declared for the class 2 Dash Handicap run over 5F with the downhill track on fast ground likely to produce a real spectacle and a very fast time. Last year’s runner up Mountain Peak is one of two Ed Walker runners here (the other being Came From The Dark who would prefer easier ground) and can run well despite his poor effort last time out at York ( a track he’s never run that well at). Clarendon House is another with claims having had excuses for his latest effort when a fine 5th at York losing a shoe during the race. Also there with a chance are the consistent Lihou, trained by sprint specialist David Evans and ridden by Hollie Doyle who can turn the tables on his recent conqueror Angle Land on 4lb better terms for 3/4L. David & Nicola Barron’s Zarzyni is also on my short list having dropped to a mark 5lb lower than his last winning one and wasn’t disgraced at York last week. The draw has seen winners coming from all across the track so I’m not getting bogged down with that and I will look for the best horse. Hopefully that might be Ian Williams’s Mokaatil whose form figures at this specialist track reads 41110 which includes victory in this very race in 2021 and a credible 4th last year. His jockey is the Irish Sean D Bowen (not to be confused with the jump jockey!) who is a new name to me but has won on 13 of his 272 mounts in his native country and gets to claim the full allowance of 7lb here which puts Mokaatil on a mark of 78 which is 4lb less than his win two years ago and 9lb less than last year’s 4th. With the cobwebs blown away with a run at Newmarket 7 weeks ago on unsuitable easy ground he looks sure to run well in a wide open sprint handicap.   MOKAATIL 1 point each way @ 12/1 William Hill 1/5th 123456   Epsom 15:55 A maximum field of 14 go to post for this class 2 10F Betfred Lester Piggott Handicap for three year olds only for which I think there’s a decent each way bet. Ralph Beckett’s Balance Play looks thrown in on his handicap debut here off of 81 having finished runner up to the subsequent winner Quddwah at Salisbury a month ago. The winner has won again since and is now rated 95 whilst the third that day Greek Order has also won since and is now rated 85. Nicely drawn in stall 6 this 280,000 guineas yearling by Lope De Vega will be ridden by Andrea Atzeni and looks excellent each way value with firms paying an extra place. As one would expect in a race of this nature there are plenty of dangers lurking including Charlie Hills’ Lose Your Wad who, like the selection, is also making his handicap debut with his form already working out well and with a future Group entry at Royal Ascot further enhancing his claims. John and Thady Gosden saddle a brace of runners with Torito (handicap debut) preferred from soft ground Ascot winner Maasai Mara whilst the Sir Michael Stoute runner Fox Journey is going the right way having won at Newmarket last time but now is 9lb higher in the handicap. Balance Play is a confident each way bet.   BALANCE PLAY 1 1/2 points each way @ 7/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 16:30 Only 9 have declared for this 1M 4F class 2 handicap. Max Mayhem was a winner on his stable debut for Kevin Philippart De Foy in the valuable Roseberry Handicap at Kempton on the all weather in April and off of just a 4lb higher mark has definite claims today. Scampi was a 16/1 winner for Hayley Turner and Andrew Balding at York last time but is now upped 6lb and has to race off of his highest ever handicap mark. Sir Mark Prescott has his string in excellent form currently and his representative Sea King sporting first time cheek pieces is another with claims but this can go to the David Menuisier trained Caius Chorister who racked up a five timer last summer including two course and distance wins on fast ground bringing her track form figures to 112. She ran well on ground that may not have suited on her re-appearance in the City And Suburban Handicap here over a trip on the short side when runner up to Bad Company and one would think this race has been the target since especially with Ryan Moore booked. Her future entry in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot later in the month may not be too much of a pipe dream where she to win here off of 99 and is a strong fancy.   CAIUS CHORISTER 2 points win @ 3/1 bet365   Epsom 17:05 The day finishes with a class 2 6F handicap with another maximum field of 14 going to post. Jennie Candlish’s Probe won nicely at Newmarket a month ago with Apollo One back in fourth (7lb better off here for 3 1/2L) and even with a 7lb rise can be competitive from a favourable draw in 4 whilst Hughie Morrison’s Haymaker comes here having won at Windsor 12 days ago and has to race off of a 4lb higher handicap mark today. Robert Eddery has his small string in decent form and saddles his Spring Bloom here who was last seen winning at Newmarket a fortnight ago and a 4lb rise my not stop him being competitive. The horse I’m keen on though is last year’s victor Mr Wagyu who has a remarkable record in June and July of 15 wins from 30 starts for a level £1 stakes profit at SP of £69.35 (with 10 other times hitting the frame as well) as opposed to his record outside of those months which reads 0 from 43. John Quinn’s eight year came out of stall 12 last year when winning so hopefully a wide draw of 11 won’t be too much of a hinderance. His latest run at York when 7th to Bielsa proved he’s on the way back and off of a handicap mark only 2lb higher than last years win can further his fantastic summer record under regular rider Jason Hart.   MR WAGYU 1 point each way @ 5/1 Paddy Power 1/5th 1234   All odds accurate at time of writing.

It’s Derby day and the ITV cameras are showing all eight races from an intriguing card from Epsom where following extensive watering throughout the week the ground should be riding perfect with the official report reading as good. I’ve some strong fancies in the last three handicaps today so here’s my racing tips to beat the bookies.   Epsom 12:50 The day kicks off with the Group 3 Betfred Diomed Stakes run over 1M 113 yards. The one to beat has to be the Godolphin horse Highland Avenue. He’s been a talented horse over the years and it’s his latest effort which makes him a stand out here. He appeared to be used as a pacemaker for the re-appearing 2021 Derby winner Adayar at Newmarket in the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes last month keeping on well to finish third to his stablemate beaten 3L, just 1/2L behind the runner up Anmaat with Sir Michael Stoute’s Regal Reality some 11L further back in fourth. Anmaat was out last week in France winning a Group 1 and that looks a good piece of form, certainly better than anything his opponents have mustered in recent times. Handicap ratings have David O’Meara’s Escobar only a pound behind the favourite but he’s best in big field handicaps and was soundly beaten in this contest last season. Imperial Fighter is out of form and Marie’s Diamond has a stone to find with Highland Avenue whilst the only three year old in the field Kolsai maybe the one to chase Highland Avenue home. The only negative against the favourite is the stable form of Charlie Appleby who (upto racing on Thursday) had had just 4 winners from his last 32 runners which by his standards is pretty poor.   HIGHLAND AVENUE 1 point win @ 5/4 BetVictor   Epsom 13:30 This year’s Derby is run earlier than normal due to avoiding a clash with the FA Cup Final and let’s hope there’s no issues with the Animal Rising hooligans who are planning to disrupt the great race. Run over 1M 4F we have a stellar field of 14 for this year’s renewal. Aidan O’Brien struck top form last weekend when winning with Guineas disappointment Little Big Bear and Paddington in the Irish 2000 Guineas and will be hoping that Auguste Rodin can also bounce back from his flop in the 2000 Guineas. He obviously could but at the current prices he’s impossible to put up after his lack lustre effort there for whatever reason. The Dante at York is always the best trial in my opinion and the best of the three that ran that day may well be Sir Michael Stoute’s Passenger. On a day in which Richard Kingscote would like to forget (Astro King anyone!) he constantly ran in to trouble and was flying when finally extracted to finish third to the winner The Foxes beaten only 1 1/2L. Would he have won? It’s hard to tell but that was only his second ever start and improvement is highly likely here stepping up a furlong and a half. He was supplemented for this at the cost of £85,000 and is on the short list for the team that took the race last year. Charlie Appleby’s Military Order, as a full brother to the 2021 winner Adayar, has to be respected. He’s done more coming into the race than his brother did when winning this a couple of years ago with the only negative for me the form of the stable who just aren’t firing on all cylinders. Arrest would be a fairytale result for Frankie Dettori riding in his last Epsom Derby before retirement and that is a distinct possibility although he could have done with easier ground. If you like Arrest then surely it’s worth backing Charlie Johnstone’s Dubai Mile who beat him at Saint Cloud last Autumn over 10F and had an ideal prep for this when running a credible 5th in the 2000 Guineas. It’s baffling that he’s twice the price of Arrest and has to be part of the staking plan along with Passenger. An intriguing race , as always, let the best horse win.   PASSENGER 1 point each way @ 6/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234 DUBAI MILE 1 point each way @ 16/1 Betfred 1/5th 1234   Epsom 14:10 Just the six go to post for the 1M 113 yards Princess Elizabeth Stakes, a Group 3 contest for fillies and mares only. Sir Michael Stoute’s Potapova ran second in this last year but her latest run and re-appearance was blighted by an irregular heartbeat with Ryan Moore pulling her up at Goodwood. It’s hard to fancy her after that effort. Half a length behind Potapova last year was the Archie Watson trainer Roman Mist who ran out a good winner of the listed contest at Goodwood that Potapova pulled up in a month ago on heavy ground. This looks tougher mind and has 11lb to find with favourite and most likely winner Prosperous Voyage. Ralph Beckett’s four year old Prosperous Voyage, a winner here as a two year old, kept top company last season finishing runner up in the 1000 Guineas and causing an upset in the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting when defeating Inspiral at 16/1. The ground was probably against her on her re-appearance when only 5th of 9 in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on soft ground and back on a sounder surface and dropped in class looks the one they all have to beat. Ed Walker’s Random Harvest has to shoulder a 3lb penalty which will make this tough for her whilst the ground surely isn’t soft enough for Pam Sly’s flag bearer Astral Beau. The Gosden’s Shaara hated the ground last time and has featured promisingly in gallop reports since, she might be the one to outrun her odds and chase the favourite home.   PROSPEROUS VOYAGE 2 points win @ 7/4 BetVictor   Epsom 14:45 A new race for the card is the class 3 three years only 5F ‘Dash’ handicap with fourteen declared for this inaugural contest. There’s plenty of horses with chances here including Salisbury one-two Estate and Betweenthesticks from a week ago and there shouldn’t be much between that pair at the revised terms although that was a class 5 handicap and this looks tougher especially now they have both been re-assessed. The one I like here is the John Quinn trained Jm Jungle who stepped up his form when tackling fast ground for the first time this season when runner up at York in a competitive class 3 handicap a fortnight ago with Miss Brazen and Tatterstall back in 6th and 7th respectively. He’s been raised 4lb for that fine effort and with his trainer doing so well at this track looks the one to be on here with Jason Hart on board. The interesting one in the field is the Roger Varian trained Russet Gold who we haven’t seen since last October having being gelded since. With Harry Davies, who still claims 3lb, on top booked he’s one to watch carefully in the betting.   JM JUNGLE 1 point each way @ 6/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234   Epsom 15:20 The traditional Derby day cavalry charge is up next with twenty speedsters declared for the class 2 Dash Handicap run over 5F with the downhill track on fast ground likely to produce a real spectacle and a very fast time. Last year’s runner up Mountain Peak is one of two Ed Walker runners here (the other being Came From The Dark who would prefer easier ground) and can run well despite his poor effort last time out at York ( a track he’s never run that well at). Clarendon House is another with claims having had excuses for his latest effort when a fine 5th at York losing a shoe during the race. Also there with a chance are the consistent Lihou, trained by sprint specialist David Evans and ridden by Hollie Doyle who can turn the tables on his recent conqueror Angle Land on 4lb better terms for 3/4L. David & Nicola Barron’s Zarzyni is also on my short list having dropped to a mark 5lb lower than his last winning one and wasn’t disgraced at York last week. The draw has seen winners coming from all across the track so I’m not getting bogged down with that and I will look for the best horse. Hopefully that might be Ian Williams’s Mokaatil whose form figures at this specialist track reads 41110 which includes victory in this very race in 2021 and a credible 4th last year. His jockey is the Irish Sean D Bowen (not to be confused with the jump jockey!) who is a new name to me but has won on 13 of his 272 mounts in his native country and gets to claim the full allowance of 7lb here which puts Mokaatil on a mark of 78 which is 4lb less than his win two years ago and 9lb less than last year’s 4th. With the cobwebs blown away with a run at Newmarket 7 weeks ago on unsuitable easy ground he looks sure to run well in a wide open sprint handicap.   MOKAATIL 1 point each way @ 12/1 William Hill 1/5th 123456   Epsom 15:55 A maximum field of 14 go to post for this class 2 10F Betfred Lester Piggott Handicap for three year olds only for which I think there’s a decent each way bet. Ralph Beckett’s Balance Play looks thrown in on his handicap debut here off of 81 having finished runner up to the subsequent winner Quddwah at Salisbury a month ago. The winner has won again since and is now rated 95 whilst the third that day Greek Order has also won since and is now rated 85. Nicely drawn in stall 6 this 280,000 guineas yearling by Lope De Vega will be ridden by Andrea Atzeni and looks excellent each way value with firms paying an extra place. As one would expect in a race of this nature there are plenty of dangers lurking including Charlie Hills’ Lose Your Wad who, like the selection, is also making his handicap debut with his form already working out well and with a future Group entry at Royal Ascot further enhancing his claims. John and Thady Gosden saddle a brace of runners with Torito (handicap debut) preferred from soft ground Ascot winner Maasai Mara whilst the Sir Michael Stoute runner Fox Journey is going the right way having won at Newmarket last time but now is 9lb higher in the handicap. Balance Play is a confident each way bet.   BALANCE PLAY 1 1/2 points each way @ 7/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 16:30 Only 9 have declared for this 1M 4F class 2 handicap. Max Mayhem was a winner on his stable debut for Kevin Philippart De Foy in the valuable Roseberry Handicap at Kempton on the all weather in April and off of just a 4lb higher mark has definite claims today. Scampi was a 16/1 winner for Hayley Turner and Andrew Balding at York last time but is now upped 6lb and has to race off of his highest ever handicap mark. Sir Mark Prescott has his string in excellent form currently and his representative Sea King sporting first time cheek pieces is another with claims but this can go to the David Menuisier trained Caius Chorister who racked up a five timer last summer including two course and distance wins on fast ground bringing her track form figures to 112. She ran well on ground that may not have suited on her re-appearance in the City And Suburban Handicap here over a trip on the short side when runner up to Bad Company and one would think this race has been the target since especially with Ryan Moore booked. Her future entry in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot later in the month may not be too much of a pipe dream where she to win here off of 99 and is a strong fancy.   CAIUS CHORISTER 2 points win @ 3/1 bet365   Epsom 17:05 The day finishes with a class 2 6F handicap with another maximum field of 14 going to post. Jennie Candlish’s Probe won nicely at Newmarket a month ago with Apollo One back in fourth (7lb better off here for 3 1/2L) and even with a 7lb rise can be competitive from a favourable draw in 4 whilst Hughie Morrison’s Haymaker comes here having won at Windsor 12 days ago and has to race off of a 4lb higher handicap mark today. Robert Eddery has his small string in decent form and saddles his Spring Bloom here who was last seen winning at Newmarket a fortnight ago and a 4lb rise my not stop him being competitive. The horse I’m keen on though is last year’s victor Mr Wagyu who has a remarkable record in June and July of 15 wins from 30 starts for a level £1 stakes profit at SP of £69.35 (with 10 other times hitting the frame as well) as opposed to his record outside of those months which reads 0 from 43. John Quinn’s eight year came out of stall 12 last year when winning so hopefully a wide draw of 11 won’t be too much of a hinderance. His latest run at York when 7th to Bielsa proved he’s on the way back and off of a handicap mark only 2lb higher than last years win can further his fantastic summer record under regular rider Jason Hart.   MR WAGYU 1 point each way @ 5/1 Paddy Power 1/5th 1234   All odds accurate at time of writing.

The first of two cracking days racing at Epsom with two Group Ones on todays card with the Oaks set to be run at 16:30 (as long as those pesky Animal Rising idiots don’t have a say) and the Coronation Cup at 15:10. The ITV cameras are there for the first five races with the ground likely to ride good although the course has been very well watered in the last week.   Epsom 14:00 We start the two day Derby fixture with the 6F Woodcote Stakes for two year olds. With the race on the turning track it’s advantageous to be drawn low although a look back to last year’s race shows you can be competitive from a high draw. Richard Hannon has a solid record in this race and saddles two interesting runners in Haatem who impressed when winning at Bath last time and can be competitive although my preference is for The Camden Colt who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. He made all when winning at Haydock on fast ground eight days ago and if he can get over from stall 7 appears to hold every chance. The form of both Balon D’Or and Bobsleigh has been let down whilst Yorkshire Terrier would have been high on my shortlist but for his draw position of 12 of 12. He’s made all to win two all weather races and with Oisin Murphy on top can run well if overcoming that coffin box. I wouldn’t be shocked if Craig Lidster’s, who is an under rated trainer, Land Lover runs very well from stall 1. He wasn’t disgraced when 4th (beaten 4 1/2L) on his racecourse debut at York in a £15k race and with improvement likely and a nice draw is worth a small each way saver with the main bet being The Camden Colt under Ryan Moore.   THE CAMDEN COLT 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 LAND LOVER 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 14:35 A competitive 13 runner 1M 113 yard class 2 handicap is up next with the David O’Meara trained Rhoscolyn, owned by The Horse Watchers a very interesting contender. He’s been dropped another couple of pounds putting him 8lb lower than when running third at Royal Ascot last year and showed enough last time out to suggest his time is near. The George Boughey trained All The Kings Men is tried in first time blinkers and going up in trip which may well suit this William Buick ridden five year old. Charlie Johnstone saddles two with claims in Dutch Decoy (ridden by Neil Callan) who’s dropped below his last winning mark and Austrian Theory (Joe Fanning) who’s also dropped to a winning mark and showed enough last time to suggest he can run well. His latest win came at Hamilton a year ago when defeating Ghaly (who’s won both his races since and is now 13lb higher) and can go close. The ground isn’t soft enough for Hodler whilst top weight Revich who comes here following a recent win at Chester was runner up in this race last year but is up 6lb for Chester which puts him on his highest ever handicap mark. He should run well none the less. A tricky race which I’ve narrowed down to Rhoscolyn and Austrian Theory with the latter having the call.   AUSTRIAN THEORY 1 point each way @ 9/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 15:10 A cracking renewal of the Group 1 Coronation Cup run over the Derby distance of 1M 4F and featuring four Group one winners with the odd one out the Aidan O’Brien trained Point Lonsdale who arrives in top,form having won both of his starts since a break including last time out at Chester in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes who can’t be dismissed either. John and Thady Gosden’s smart filly Emily Upjohn makes her re-appearance after apparently coming to hand slowly. She was an unlucky loser of last years Oaks on this day and ended last season winning the Group 1 Champion Fillies & mares at Ascot. She’s smart and can be competitive as long as she doesn’t pull too hard. Last year’s Derby 3rd (and possibly unlucky not to get closer having had a poor run in the race) and Irish Derby winner Westover is the most likely winner to my eyes and certainly wasn’t disgraced when runner up to the very smart Equinox in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. Ralph Beckett’s four year old will be ridden by Rob Hornby who will feel he has unfinished business after last year’s unlucky passage in the Derby and can take the spoils. Charlie Appleby’s Hurricane Lane shouldn’t be dismissed as a classic winner (St Leger from 2021) and impressed last time when bouncing back from a poor run at Newbury but I must admit I am a bit concerned with the form of some of the stable who certainly aren’t firing on all cylinders with just the 4 winners from their last 33 runners going into Thursday. The fifth member of the field is the German trained Tunnes who was a very easy winner of the German St Leger and a Group 1 last Autumn by 8L and 10L respectively although both wins came on very soft ground so for that reason alone is passed over here on today’s sounder surface.   WESTOVER 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365   Epsom 15:45 A valuable class 2 handicap for four year old and upwards, run over 10F has attracted a field of ten which gives it a good each way feel with some firms paying four places. John & Thady Gosden’s Honiton proved he was better than his seasonal re-appearance (when hating the soft ground) at Goodwood when pushed out to win by 1 1/4L at Newmarket on much better ground a fortnight later under today’s pilot James Doyle though has been raised 4lb for that win and is drawn out wide. He has every chance and has to be on anyone’s short list but back in fourth that day at Newmarket was William Knight’s Dual Identity who was visibly dropped out the back from the start by Jamie Spencer and made up ground to finish 2 1/2L behind Honiton and with a one pound drop is now 5lb better off and with a more positive ride from Neil Callan from an inside berth can make up the deficit on the Gosden horse and looks great each way value. A big outsider who is worth keeping an eye in is the Richard Spencer trained The City’s Phantom who may have needed his seasonal re-appearance when friendless in the market going off at 66/1 and running accordingly. He’s better than that and having been dropped 3lb finds himself on the same mark as when a 6L winner at Yarmouth 14 months ago. Top weight Savvy Victory arrives in good form under Ryan Moore although this will be his highest ever mark whilst Bad Company (5th last year) needs softer conditions. Kevin Ryan’s Marhaba The Champ won a similar handicap on his seasonal re-appearance at York’s Dante meeting (his first since wind surgery) and with only a 2lb rise is another with claims although they did all finish in a bit of a heap that day with one of today’s rivals Majestic only a length behind and 2lb better off. A tight handicap but I feel that Dual Identity is building up to something and should be backed each way with firms paying that fourth place although it has to be noted that Knight is looking for his first winner for 119 days and 36 runs although he has a couple of runner ups in his last five runners so hopefully his turn is near.   DUAL IDENTITY 1 point each way @ 8/1 1/5th 1234   Epsom 16:30 This may well revolve around the two fillies at the top of the market in Aiden O’Brien’s Savethelastdance and John and Thady Gosden’s Soul Sister. The former was so impressive at Chester but that did come on soft ground and the big question with her is will she handle this sounder surface (although the course has been well watered this week). I prefer Soul Sister who had a valid excuse on her re-appearance (soggy ground and not taking to a cross noseband) and looked a quality filly for a stable who know how to train the fairer sex. She’s the pick for me. Her stable mate Running Lion isn’t a certain stayer and I’m not quite sure what she beat at Newmarket in the Pretty Polly. David Menuisier’s Heartache Tonight is a half sister to the stable’s Group 1 winning mare Wonderful Tonight and as long as the ground is not riding fast then she can outrun her double figure odds and possibly hit the frame.   SOUL SISTER 2 points win @ 5/2 BetVictor     All odds accurate at time of writing.    

The first of two cracking days racing at Epsom with two Group Ones on todays card with the Oaks set to be run at 16:30 (as long as those pesky Animal Rising idiots don’t have a say) and the Coronation Cup at 15:10. The ITV cameras are there for the first five races with the ground likely to ride good although the course has been very well watered in the last week.   Epsom 14:00 We start the two day Derby fixture with the 6F Woodcote Stakes for two year olds. With the race on the turning track it’s advantageous to be drawn low although a look back to last year’s race shows you can be competitive from a high draw. Richard Hannon has a solid record in this race and saddles two interesting runners in Haatem who impressed when winning at Bath last time and can be competitive although my preference is for The Camden Colt who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. He made all when winning at Haydock on fast ground eight days ago and if he can get over from stall 7 appears to hold every chance. The form of both Balon D’Or and Bobsleigh has been let down whilst Yorkshire Terrier would have been high on my shortlist but for his draw position of 12 of 12. He’s made all to win two all weather races and with Oisin Murphy on top can run well if overcoming that coffin box. I wouldn’t be shocked if Craig Lidster’s, who is an under rated trainer, Land Lover runs very well from stall 1. He wasn’t disgraced when 4th (beaten 4 1/2L) on his racecourse debut at York in a £15k race and with improvement likely and a nice draw is worth a small each way saver with the main bet being The Camden Colt under Ryan Moore.   THE CAMDEN COLT 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 LAND LOVER 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 14:35 A competitive 13 runner 1M 113 yard class 2 handicap is up next with the David O’Meara trained Rhoscolyn, owned by The Horse Watchers a very interesting contender. He’s been dropped another couple of pounds putting him 8lb lower than when running third at Royal Ascot last year and showed enough last time out to suggest his time is near. The George Boughey trained All The Kings Men is tried in first time blinkers and going up in trip which may well suit this William Buick ridden five year old. Charlie Johnstone saddles two with claims in Dutch Decoy (ridden by Neil Callan) who’s dropped below his last winning mark and Austrian Theory (Joe Fanning) who’s also dropped to a winning mark and showed enough last time to suggest he can run well. His latest win came at Hamilton a year ago when defeating Ghaly (who’s won both his races since and is now 13lb higher) and can go close. The ground isn’t soft enough for Hodler whilst top weight Revich who comes here following a recent win at Chester was runner up in this race last year but is up 6lb for Chester which puts him on his highest ever handicap mark. He should run well none the less. A tricky race which I’ve narrowed down to Rhoscolyn and Austrian Theory with the latter having the call.   AUSTRIAN THEORY 1 point each way @ 9/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 15:10 A cracking renewal of the Group 1 Coronation Cup run over the Derby distance of 1M 4F and featuring four Group one winners with the odd one out the Aidan O’Brien trained Point Lonsdale who arrives in top,form having won both of his starts since a break including last time out at Chester in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes who can’t be dismissed either. John and Thady Gosden’s smart filly Emily Upjohn makes her re-appearance after apparently coming to hand slowly. She was an unlucky loser of last years Oaks on this day and ended last season winning the Group 1 Champion Fillies & mares at Ascot. She’s smart and can be competitive as long as she doesn’t pull too hard. Last year’s Derby 3rd (and possibly unlucky not to get closer having had a poor run in the race) and Irish Derby winner Westover is the most likely winner to my eyes and certainly wasn’t disgraced when runner up to the very smart Equinox in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. Ralph Beckett’s four year old will be ridden by Rob Hornby who will feel he has unfinished business after last year’s unlucky passage in the Derby and can take the spoils. Charlie Appleby’s Hurricane Lane shouldn’t be dismissed as a classic winner (St Leger from 2021) and impressed last time when bouncing back from a poor run at Newbury but I must admit I am a bit concerned with the form of some of the stable who certainly aren’t firing on all cylinders with just the 4 winners from their last 33 runners going into Thursday. The fifth member of the field is the German trained Tunnes who was a very easy winner of the German St Leger and a Group 1 last Autumn by 8L and 10L respectively although both wins came on very soft ground so for that reason alone is passed over here on today’s sounder surface.   WESTOVER 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365   Epsom 15:45 A valuable class 2 handicap for four year old and upwards, run over 10F has attracted a field of ten which gives it a good each way feel with some firms paying four places. John & Thady Gosden’s Honiton proved he was better than his seasonal re-appearance (when hating the soft ground) at Goodwood when pushed out to win by 1 1/4L at Newmarket on much better ground a fortnight later under today’s pilot James Doyle though has been raised 4lb for that win and is drawn out wide. He has every chance and has to be on anyone’s short list but back in fourth that day at Newmarket was William Knight’s Dual Identity who was visibly dropped out the back from the start by Jamie Spencer and made up ground to finish 2 1/2L behind Honiton and with a one pound drop is now 5lb better off and with a more positive ride from Neil Callan from an inside berth can make up the deficit on the Gosden horse and looks great each way value. A big outsider who is worth keeping an eye in is the Richard Spencer trained The City’s Phantom who may have needed his seasonal re-appearance when friendless in the market going off at 66/1 and running accordingly. He’s better than that and having been dropped 3lb finds himself on the same mark as when a 6L winner at Yarmouth 14 months ago. Top weight Savvy Victory arrives in good form under Ryan Moore although this will be his highest ever mark whilst Bad Company (5th last year) needs softer conditions. Kevin Ryan’s Marhaba The Champ won a similar handicap on his seasonal re-appearance at York’s Dante meeting (his first since wind surgery) and with only a 2lb rise is another with claims although they did all finish in a bit of a heap that day with one of today’s rivals Majestic only a length behind and 2lb better off. A tight handicap but I feel that Dual Identity is building up to something and should be backed each way with firms paying that fourth place although it has to be noted that Knight is looking for his first winner for 119 days and 36 runs although he has a couple of runner ups in his last five runners so hopefully his turn is near.   DUAL IDENTITY 1 point each way @ 8/1 1/5th 1234   Epsom 16:30 This may well revolve around the two fillies at the top of the market in Aiden O’Brien’s Savethelastdance and John and Thady Gosden’s Soul Sister. The former was so impressive at Chester but that did come on soft ground and the big question with her is will she handle this sounder surface (although the course has been well watered this week). I prefer Soul Sister who had a valid excuse on her re-appearance (soggy ground and not taking to a cross noseband) and looked a quality filly for a stable who know how to train the fairer sex. She’s the pick for me. Her stable mate Running Lion isn’t a certain stayer and I’m not quite sure what she beat at Newmarket in the Pretty Polly. David Menuisier’s Heartache Tonight is a half sister to the stable’s Group 1 winning mare Wonderful Tonight and as long as the ground is not riding fast then she can outrun her double figure odds and possibly hit the frame.   SOUL SISTER 2 points win @ 5/2 BetVictor     All odds accurate at time of writing.    

The first of two cracking days racing at Epsom with two Group Ones on todays card with the Oaks set to be run at 16:30 (as long as those pesky Animal Rising idiots don’t have a say) and the Coronation Cup at 15:10. The ITV cameras are there for the first five races with the ground likely to ride good although the course has been very well watered in the last week.   Epsom 14:00 We start the two day Derby fixture with the 6F Woodcote Stakes for two year olds. With the race on the turning track it’s advantageous to be drawn low although a look back to last year’s race shows you can be competitive from a high draw. Richard Hannon has a solid record in this race and saddles two interesting runners in Haatem who impressed when winning at Bath last time and can be competitive although my preference is for The Camden Colt who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. He made all when winning at Haydock on fast ground eight days ago and if he can get over from stall 7 appears to hold every chance. The form of both Balon D’Or and Bobsleigh has been let down whilst Yorkshire Terrier would have been high on my shortlist but for his draw position of 12 of 12. He’s made all to win two all weather races and with Oisin Murphy on top can run well if overcoming that coffin box. I wouldn’t be shocked if Craig Lidster’s, who is an under rated trainer, Land Lover runs very well from stall 1. He wasn’t disgraced when 4th (beaten 4 1/2L) on his racecourse debut at York in a £15k race and with improvement likely and a nice draw is worth a small each way saver with the main bet being The Camden Colt under Ryan Moore.   THE CAMDEN COLT 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 LAND LOVER 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 14:35 A competitive 13 runner 1M 113 yard class 2 handicap is up next with the David O’Meara trained Rhoscolyn, owned by The Horse Watchers a very interesting contender. He’s been dropped another couple of pounds putting him 8lb lower than when running third at Royal Ascot last year and showed enough last time out to suggest his time is near. The George Boughey trained All The Kings Men is tried in first time blinkers and going up in trip which may well suit this William Buick ridden five year old. Charlie Johnstone saddles two with claims in Dutch Decoy (ridden by Neil Callan) who’s dropped below his last winning mark and Austrian Theory (Joe Fanning) who’s also dropped to a winning mark and showed enough last time to suggest he can run well. His latest win came at Hamilton a year ago when defeating Ghaly (who’s won both his races since and is now 13lb higher) and can go close. The ground isn’t soft enough for Hodler whilst top weight Revich who comes here following a recent win at Chester was runner up in this race last year but is up 6lb for Chester which puts him on his highest ever handicap mark. He should run well none the less. A tricky race which I’ve narrowed down to Rhoscolyn and Austrian Theory with the latter having the call.   AUSTRIAN THEORY 1 point each way @ 9/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 15:10 A cracking renewal of the Group 1 Coronation Cup run over the Derby distance of 1M 4F and featuring four Group one winners with the odd one out the Aidan O’Brien trained Point Lonsdale who arrives in top,form having won both of his starts since a break including last time out at Chester in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes who can’t be dismissed either. John and Thady Gosden’s smart filly Emily Upjohn makes her re-appearance after apparently coming to hand slowly. She was an unlucky loser of last years Oaks on this day and ended last season winning the Group 1 Champion Fillies & mares at Ascot. She’s smart and can be competitive as long as she doesn’t pull too hard. Last year’s Derby 3rd (and possibly unlucky not to get closer having had a poor run in the race) and Irish Derby winner Westover is the most likely winner to my eyes and certainly wasn’t disgraced when runner up to the very smart Equinox in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. Ralph Beckett’s four year old will be ridden by Rob Hornby who will feel he has unfinished business after last year’s unlucky passage in the Derby and can take the spoils. Charlie Appleby’s Hurricane Lane shouldn’t be dismissed as a classic winner (St Leger from 2021) and impressed last time when bouncing back from a poor run at Newbury but I must admit I am a bit concerned with the form of some of the stable who certainly aren’t firing on all cylinders with just the 4 winners from their last 33 runners going into Thursday. The fifth member of the field is the German trained Tunnes who was a very easy winner of the German St Leger and a Group 1 last Autumn by 8L and 10L respectively although both wins came on very soft ground so for that reason alone is passed over here on today’s sounder surface.   WESTOVER 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365   Epsom 15:45 A valuable class 2 handicap for four year old and upwards, run over 10F has attracted a field of ten which gives it a good each way feel with some firms paying four places. John & Thady Gosden’s Honiton proved he was better than his seasonal re-appearance (when hating the soft ground) at Goodwood when pushed out to win by 1 1/4L at Newmarket on much better ground a fortnight later under today’s pilot James Doyle though has been raised 4lb for that win and is drawn out wide. He has every chance and has to be on anyone’s short list but back in fourth that day at Newmarket was William Knight’s Dual Identity who was visibly dropped out the back from the start by Jamie Spencer and made up ground to finish 2 1/2L behind Honiton and with a one pound drop is now 5lb better off and with a more positive ride from Neil Callan from an inside berth can make up the deficit on the Gosden horse and looks great each way value. A big outsider who is worth keeping an eye in is the Richard Spencer trained The City’s Phantom who may have needed his seasonal re-appearance when friendless in the market going off at 66/1 and running accordingly. He’s better than that and having been dropped 3lb finds himself on the same mark as when a 6L winner at Yarmouth 14 months ago. Top weight Savvy Victory arrives in good form under Ryan Moore although this will be his highest ever mark whilst Bad Company (5th last year) needs softer conditions. Kevin Ryan’s Marhaba The Champ won a similar handicap on his seasonal re-appearance at York’s Dante meeting (his first since wind surgery) and with only a 2lb rise is another with claims although they did all finish in a bit of a heap that day with one of today’s rivals Majestic only a length behind and 2lb better off. A tight handicap but I feel that Dual Identity is building up to something and should be backed each way with firms paying that fourth place although it has to be noted that Knight is looking for his first winner for 119 days and 36 runs although he has a couple of runner ups in his last five runners so hopefully his turn is near.   DUAL IDENTITY 1 point each way @ 8/1 1/5th 1234   Epsom 16:30 This may well revolve around the two fillies at the top of the market in Aiden O’Brien’s Savethelastdance and John and Thady Gosden’s Soul Sister. The former was so impressive at Chester but that did come on soft ground and the big question with her is will she handle this sounder surface (although the course has been well watered this week). I prefer Soul Sister who had a valid excuse on her re-appearance (soggy ground and not taking to a cross noseband) and looked a quality filly for a stable who know how to train the fairer sex. She’s the pick for me. Her stable mate Running Lion isn’t a certain stayer and I’m not quite sure what she beat at Newmarket in the Pretty Polly. David Menuisier’s Heartache Tonight is a half sister to the stable’s Group 1 winning mare Wonderful Tonight and as long as the ground is not riding fast then she can outrun her double figure odds and possibly hit the frame.   SOUL SISTER 2 points win @ 5/2 BetVictor     All odds accurate at time of writing.    

Welcome to the Forum @brahmin -good luck with your bets today 

The first of two cracking days racing at Epsom with two Group Ones on todays card with the Oaks set to be run at 16:30 (as long as those pesky Animal Rising idiots don’t have a say) and the Coronation Cup at 15:10. The ITV cameras are there for the first five races with the ground likely to ride good although the course has been very well watered in the last week.   Epsom 14:00 We start the two day Derby fixture with the 6F Woodcote Stakes for two year olds. With the race on the turning track it’s advantageous to be drawn low although a look back to last year’s race shows you can be competitive from a high draw. Richard Hannon has a solid record in this race and saddles two interesting runners in Haatem who impressed when winning at Bath last time and can be competitive although my preference is for The Camden Colt who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. He made all when winning at Haydock on fast ground eight days ago and if he can get over from stall 7 appears to hold every chance. The form of both Balon D’Or and Bobsleigh has been let down whilst Yorkshire Terrier would have been high on my shortlist but for his draw position of 12 of 12. He’s made all to win two all weather races and with Oisin Murphy on top can run well if overcoming that coffin box. I wouldn’t be shocked if Craig Lidster’s, who is an under rated trainer, Land Lover runs very well from stall 1. He wasn’t disgraced when 4th (beaten 4 1/2L) on his racecourse debut at York in a £15k race and with improvement likely and a nice draw is worth a small each way saver with the main bet being The Camden Colt under Ryan Moore.   THE CAMDEN COLT 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 LAND LOVER 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 14:35 A competitive 13 runner 1M 113 yard class 2 handicap is up next with the David O’Meara trained Rhoscolyn, owned by The Horse Watchers a very interesting contender. He’s been dropped another couple of pounds putting him 8lb lower than when running third at Royal Ascot last year and showed enough last time out to suggest his time is near. The George Boughey trained All The Kings Men is tried in first time blinkers and going up in trip which may well suit this William Buick ridden five year old. Charlie Johnstone saddles two with claims in Dutch Decoy (ridden by Neil Callan) who’s dropped below his last winning mark and Austrian Theory (Joe Fanning) who’s also dropped to a winning mark and showed enough last time to suggest he can run well. His latest win came at Hamilton a year ago when defeating Ghaly (who’s won both his races since and is now 13lb higher) and can go close. The ground isn’t soft enough for Hodler whilst top weight Revich who comes here following a recent win at Chester was runner up in this race last year but is up 6lb for Chester which puts him on his highest ever handicap mark. He should run well none the less. A tricky race which I’ve narrowed down to Rhoscolyn and Austrian Theory with the latter having the call.   AUSTRIAN THEORY 1 point each way @ 9/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 15:10 A cracking renewal of the Group 1 Coronation Cup run over the Derby distance of 1M 4F and featuring four Group one winners with the odd one out the Aidan O’Brien trained Point Lonsdale who arrives in top,form having won both of his starts since a break including last time out at Chester in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes who can’t be dismissed either. John and Thady Gosden’s smart filly Emily Upjohn makes her re-appearance after apparently coming to hand slowly. She was an unlucky loser of last years Oaks on this day and ended last season winning the Group 1 Champion Fillies & mares at Ascot. She’s smart and can be competitive as long as she doesn’t pull too hard. Last year’s Derby 3rd (and possibly unlucky not to get closer having had a poor run in the race) and Irish Derby winner Westover is the most likely winner to my eyes and certainly wasn’t disgraced when runner up to the very smart Equinox in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. Ralph Beckett’s four year old will be ridden by Rob Hornby who will feel he has unfinished business after last year’s unlucky passage in the Derby and can take the spoils. Charlie Appleby’s Hurricane Lane shouldn’t be dismissed as a classic winner (St Leger from 2021) and impressed last time when bouncing back from a poor run at Newbury but I must admit I am a bit concerned with the form of some of the stable who certainly aren’t firing on all cylinders with just the 4 winners from their last 33 runners going into Thursday. The fifth member of the field is the German trained Tunnes who was a very easy winner of the German St Leger and a Group 1 last Autumn by 8L and 10L respectively although both wins came on very soft ground so for that reason alone is passed over here on today’s sounder surface.   WESTOVER 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365   Epsom 15:45 A valuable class 2 handicap for four year old and upwards, run over 10F has attracted a field of ten which gives it a good each way feel with some firms paying four places. John & Thady Gosden’s Honiton proved he was better than his seasonal re-appearance (when hating the soft ground) at Goodwood when pushed out to win by 1 1/4L at Newmarket on much better ground a fortnight later under today’s pilot James Doyle though has been raised 4lb for that win and is drawn out wide. He has every chance and has to be on anyone’s short list but back in fourth that day at Newmarket was William Knight’s Dual Identity who was visibly dropped out the back from the start by Jamie Spencer and made up ground to finish 2 1/2L behind Honiton and with a one pound drop is now 5lb better off and with a more positive ride from Neil Callan from an inside berth can make up the deficit on the Gosden horse and looks great each way value. A big outsider who is worth keeping an eye in is the Richard Spencer trained The City’s Phantom who may have needed his seasonal re-appearance when friendless in the market going off at 66/1 and running accordingly. He’s better than that and having been dropped 3lb finds himself on the same mark as when a 6L winner at Yarmouth 14 months ago. Top weight Savvy Victory arrives in good form under Ryan Moore although this will be his highest ever mark whilst Bad Company (5th last year) needs softer conditions. Kevin Ryan’s Marhaba The Champ won a similar handicap on his seasonal re-appearance at York’s Dante meeting (his first since wind surgery) and with only a 2lb rise is another with claims although they did all finish in a bit of a heap that day with one of today’s rivals Majestic only a length behind and 2lb better off. A tight handicap but I feel that Dual Identity is building up to something and should be backed each way with firms paying that fourth place although it has to be noted that Knight is looking for his first winner for 119 days and 36 runs although he has a couple of runner ups in his last five runners so hopefully his turn is near.   DUAL IDENTITY 1 point each way @ 8/1 1/5th 1234   Epsom 16:30 This may well revolve around the two fillies at the top of the market in Aiden O’Brien’s Savethelastdance and John and Thady Gosden’s Soul Sister. The former was so impressive at Chester but that did come on soft ground and the big question with her is will she handle this sounder surface (although the course has been well watered this week). I prefer Soul Sister who had a valid excuse on her re-appearance (soggy ground and not taking to a cross noseband) and looked a quality filly for a stable who know how to train the fairer sex. She’s the pick for me. Her stable mate Running Lion isn’t a certain stayer and I’m not quite sure what she beat at Newmarket in the Pretty Polly. David Menuisier’s Heartache Tonight is a half sister to the stable’s Group 1 winning mare Wonderful Tonight and as long as the ground is not riding fast then she can outrun her double figure odds and possibly hit the frame.   SOUL SISTER 2 points win @ 5/2 BetVictor     All odds accurate at time of writing.    

just found this site, look knowledgeable and my bets are football ( btts & o/u goals) and USA sports ( thru USA work colleague )......so my horse bets are limited like the big 2 days Epsom meeting with top class racing..........soooo my bets are 50pts staked
 
2.00   The Camden Colt   6/1 betfair    10pt win
2.00   Valour and Swagger  12/1 betfair 4 places  5pt EW
 
2.35   Hodler   16/1 betfair 4 places   5pt EW
 
3.45     Savvy Victory     8/1 betfair  3 places    5pt EW
 
4.30    Heartache Tonight     33/1 betfair    3places    5pt EW
 
 
Good luck all today racing                 
 

Test trial at Epsom Monopoly money 
2.35 Fantastic Fox 5/1
3.45 Marhaba The Champ 8.53 rating Majestic 8.51 rating 

Epsom. 
Single 
3.10. Westover     9/4    2nd 
Good luck all. 

Patent. 
1.20. Chep. Passing Time         10/3      2nd 
5.45. Epsm. Clochette                11/2   unpl
8.15. Another Run                       11/2    2nd 
stk. 3.50       rtn 149.50.
Good luck all. 

Epsom 14:35  Alrehb 33/1 

Epsom dash 
Clarendon house  9.0 9/1 
Silkie wilkie    8.9  12/1 
Mountain peak  8.3 
Came from dark   8.3 
Vintage clarets   8.2 
Very competitive race ....top 2 are a little clear ....no surprise to see any of these 5 in mix up but I'll try 10pt ew top 2 😃
Tricasts all 5

I've backed 2021 winner & 4th last year MOKAATIL 14/1eway sky bet ( 7 places ) via the horses for courses system in the dash . 👎 Lpoked like the claimer on board had a hard time dealing with the course .

Epsom
Single
3.10. Westover          9/4
Good luck all
 

Biggest problem with this years Oaks is there is almost no form on the ground, pretty much all the form has been on soft or heavy so this is a no race for me, very small stakes advised. Any horse in this could improve massively for the ground, I see no world beaters in this lot to be honest but here are the figures based on what we know.
1 Running Lion           124         5/1
2 Soul sister                118         9/4
3 Eternal Hope            114       11/1
best outsider-
Bright Diamond          103        66/1

The 3rd classic of the year is the Oaks, which is run at Epsom this Friday at 14.30. The race is for 3-year-old fillies and is run over 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 6 yards. It is the 2nd oldest of the classics, after the St Leger. It is named after The Oaks, an estate located to the east of Epsom.
 
I have looked at the statistics over the last 9 years and these are my key conclusions.
The key stat is fitness. Those horses that last ran less than 26 days ago have a record of 7 wins from 51 runs, recording a level stakes profit at BSP of 111 points. The remainder have just 1 win from 45 runs with a loss of 39 points.
It is helpful to be drawn low. Those drawn in the lowest 4 stalls have 5 wins from 31 runs with a profit of 114 points.
Horses that finished 1st last time have a poor record with 4 wins from 41 runs and a loss of 8 points.
 
2 horses meet these criteria
 
SEA OF ROSES 66/1
BRIGHT DIAMOND 66/1
 
There is not much each way value so I suggest backing these to win.
The only negative is that outsiders have a poor record so I recommend keeping stakes relatively small.
Andrew Balding, the trainer of SEA OF ROSES, won this 20 years ago with Casual Look in his 1st year of training, however the last 9 races have been won by either Aidan O’Brien or John Gosden.

The first of two cracking days racing at Epsom with two Group Ones on todays card with the Oaks set to be run at 16:30 (as long as those pesky Animal Rising idiots don’t have a say) and the Coronation Cup at 15:10. The ITV cameras are there for the first five races with the ground likely to ride good although the course has been very well watered in the last week.   Epsom 14:00 We start the two day Derby fixture with the 6F Woodcote Stakes for two year olds. With the race on the turning track it’s advantageous to be drawn low although a look back to last year’s race shows you can be competitive from a high draw. Richard Hannon has a solid record in this race and saddles two interesting runners in Haatem who impressed when winning at Bath last time and can be competitive although my preference is for The Camden Colt who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. He made all when winning at Haydock on fast ground eight days ago and if he can get over from stall 7 appears to hold every chance. The form of both Balon D’Or and Bobsleigh has been let down whilst Yorkshire Terrier would have been high on my shortlist but for his draw position of 12 of 12. He’s made all to win two all weather races and with Oisin Murphy on top can run well if overcoming that coffin box. I wouldn’t be shocked if Craig Lidster’s, who is an under rated trainer, Land Lover runs very well from stall 1. He wasn’t disgraced when 4th (beaten 4 1/2L) on his racecourse debut at York in a £15k race and with improvement likely and a nice draw is worth a small each way saver with the main bet being The Camden Colt under Ryan Moore.   THE CAMDEN COLT 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 LAND LOVER 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 14:35 A competitive 13 runner 1M 113 yard class 2 handicap is up next with the David O’Meara trained Rhoscolyn, owned by The Horse Watchers a very interesting contender. He’s been dropped another couple of pounds putting him 8lb lower than when running third at Royal Ascot last year and showed enough last time out to suggest his time is near. The George Boughey trained All The Kings Men is tried in first time blinkers and going up in trip which may well suit this William Buick ridden five year old. Charlie Johnstone saddles two with claims in Dutch Decoy (ridden by Neil Callan) who’s dropped below his last winning mark and Austrian Theory (Joe Fanning) who’s also dropped to a winning mark and showed enough last time to suggest he can run well. His latest win came at Hamilton a year ago when defeating Ghaly (who’s won both his races since and is now 13lb higher) and can go close. The ground isn’t soft enough for Hodler whilst top weight Revich who comes here following a recent win at Chester was runner up in this race last year but is up 6lb for Chester which puts him on his highest ever handicap mark. He should run well none the less. A tricky race which I’ve narrowed down to Rhoscolyn and Austrian Theory with the latter having the call.   AUSTRIAN THEORY 1 point each way @ 9/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 15:10 A cracking renewal of the Group 1 Coronation Cup run over the Derby distance of 1M 4F and featuring four Group one winners with the odd one out the Aidan O’Brien trained Point Lonsdale who arrives in top,form having won both of his starts since a break including last time out at Chester in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes who can’t be dismissed either. John and Thady Gosden’s smart filly Emily Upjohn makes her re-appearance after apparently coming to hand slowly. She was an unlucky loser of last years Oaks on this day and ended last season winning the Group 1 Champion Fillies & mares at Ascot. She’s smart and can be competitive as long as she doesn’t pull too hard. Last year’s Derby 3rd (and possibly unlucky not to get closer having had a poor run in the race) and Irish Derby winner Westover is the most likely winner to my eyes and certainly wasn’t disgraced when runner up to the very smart Equinox in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. Ralph Beckett’s four year old will be ridden by Rob Hornby who will feel he has unfinished business after last year’s unlucky passage in the Derby and can take the spoils. Charlie Appleby’s Hurricane Lane shouldn’t be dismissed as a classic winner (St Leger from 2021) and impressed last time when bouncing back from a poor run at Newbury but I must admit I am a bit concerned with the form of some of the stable who certainly aren’t firing on all cylinders with just the 4 winners from their last 33 runners going into Thursday. The fifth member of the field is the German trained Tunnes who was a very easy winner of the German St Leger and a Group 1 last Autumn by 8L and 10L respectively although both wins came on very soft ground so for that reason alone is passed over here on today’s sounder surface.   WESTOVER 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365   Epsom 15:45 A valuable class 2 handicap for four year old and upwards, run over 10F has attracted a field of ten which gives it a good each way feel with some firms paying four places. John & Thady Gosden’s Honiton proved he was better than his seasonal re-appearance (when hating the soft ground) at Goodwood when pushed out to win by 1 1/4L at Newmarket on much better ground a fortnight later under today’s pilot James Doyle though has been raised 4lb for that win and is drawn out wide. He has every chance and has to be on anyone’s short list but back in fourth that day at Newmarket was William Knight’s Dual Identity who was visibly dropped out the back from the start by Jamie Spencer and made up ground to finish 2 1/2L behind Honiton and with a one pound drop is now 5lb better off and with a more positive ride from Neil Callan from an inside berth can make up the deficit on the Gosden horse and looks great each way value. A big outsider who is worth keeping an eye in is the Richard Spencer trained The City’s Phantom who may have needed his seasonal re-appearance when friendless in the market going off at 66/1 and running accordingly. He’s better than that and having been dropped 3lb finds himself on the same mark as when a 6L winner at Yarmouth 14 months ago. Top weight Savvy Victory arrives in good form under Ryan Moore although this will be his highest ever mark whilst Bad Company (5th last year) needs softer conditions. Kevin Ryan’s Marhaba The Champ won a similar handicap on his seasonal re-appearance at York’s Dante meeting (his first since wind surgery) and with only a 2lb rise is another with claims although they did all finish in a bit of a heap that day with one of today’s rivals Majestic only a length behind and 2lb better off. A tight handicap but I feel that Dual Identity is building up to something and should be backed each way with firms paying that fourth place although it has to be noted that Knight is looking for his first winner for 119 days and 36 runs although he has a couple of runner ups in his last five runners so hopefully his turn is near.   DUAL IDENTITY 1 point each way @ 8/1 1/5th 1234   Epsom 16:30 This may well revolve around the two fillies at the top of the market in Aiden O’Brien’s Savethelastdance and John and Thady Gosden’s Soul Sister. The former was so impressive at Chester but that did come on soft ground and the big question with her is will she handle this sounder surface (although the course has been well watered this week). I prefer Soul Sister who had a valid excuse on her re-appearance (soggy ground and not taking to a cross noseband) and looked a quality filly for a stable who know how to train the fairer sex. She’s the pick for me. Her stable mate Running Lion isn’t a certain stayer and I’m not quite sure what she beat at Newmarket in the Pretty Polly. David Menuisier’s Heartache Tonight is a half sister to the stable’s Group 1 winning mare Wonderful Tonight and as long as the ground is not riding fast then she can outrun her double figure odds and possibly hit the frame.   SOUL SISTER 2 points win @ 5/2 BetVictor     All odds accurate at time of writing.    

The Oaks is only just over a week away and with all the trials done and dusted it seems a good time to have a look at the historic race afresh. With just two declaration stages remaining we have 24 three year old fillies still left in the race which will e’ll be run at Epsom over 1M 4F on 2nd June. Here’s my horse by horse analysis with an ante post suggested bet.   ASHTANGA Trainer: Freddie & Martyn Meade A soft ground Nottingham maiden winner as a two year old she was beaten out of sight by current favourite Savethelastdance at Chester in the Cheshire Oaks and it would be a major surprise were she to figure. Current odds: 100/1   BE HAPPY Trainer: Aiden O’Brien One of nine Aiden O’Brien runners still in the race. Ran well on re-appearance when third in Group 3 in France and ran to same level when runner up to Godolphin’s Eternal Hope in the Lingfield Oaks Trial run on the all weather. Bit to find with the principals.   BLUESTOCKING Trainer: Ralph Beckett Looked useful when winning at Salisbury on her debut back in September and wasn’t disgraced on re-appearance when going down by a head to Aiden O’Brien’s Warm Heart in Newbury’s listed Oaks trial last weekend over 10F. This race may come a bit soon and Royal Ascot is probably more likely her target.   BOOGIE WOOGIE Trainer: Aiden O’Brien Was 2 1/2L behind her stablemate and current favourite Savethelastdance in a maiden on her re-appearance at Leopardstown and subsequently broke her duck on her next start at Naas. Upped in grade when her limitations were exposed in running 6th of 10 in the 10F Prix Saint-Alary earlier this month. Current odds: 50/1   BRIGHT DIAMOND Trainer: Karl Burke Best run as a juvenile came when third in the Group 1 Fillies Mile at Newmarket, beaten 5 3/4L by Commissioning. Easy to back and a bit disappointing when only 5th in Lingfield Oaks Trial behind Eternal Pearl and Be Happy only run since. Needs to step up from that effort to have a place chance. Current odds: 50/1   CAERNARFON Trainer: Jack Channon Ran well on her re-appearance when 4th (beaten 10 1/2L) to Mawj in the 1000 Guineas. That was over a mile and on breeding there has to be serious doubts as to whether she’ll stay this trip of 1M 4F. Current odds: 50/1   CLOUDBREAKER Trainer: Charlie Fellowes Only rated 83 and was behind Bluestocking at Newbury last week. Would be better off going down the handicap route and is a no hoper. Current odds: 100/1   DANCE IN THE GRASS Trainer: Charlie Johnstone Went off at 200/1 when running a respectable 5th (beaten 11 1/2L) in 1000 Guineas on her re-appearance. Plenty of stamina in her pedigree and she should improve for stepping up in trip. Could outrun her odds with stamina now drawn out. Current odds: 40/1   EMPRESS WU Trainer: David Simcock Lingfield all-weather maiden winner as a juvenile. Was found out when stepping up in grade in the Musidora Stakes at York when finishing last but one of the eight runners, beaten 9 1/2L by Soul Sister. Unlikely to bridge that gap and hard to fancy. Current odds: 100/1   ETERNAL HOPE Trainer: Charlie Appleby A lightly raced improving Teofilo filly who’s yet to race on turf. She improved from a maiden win at Chelmsford to winning the Lingfield Oaks Trial run on the all weather surface by 1 3/4L from Be Happy. Has to be supplemented to run here at a cost of £85,000.   HEARTACHE TONIGHT Trainer: David Menuisier A half sister to the stables Group 1 winning mare Wonderful Tonight and has shown plenty of ability of her own in three starts in France. The best effort coming when 4th, beaten 1 1/2L, in Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary earlier this month. The step up in trip will suit but has only raced on soft ground. Her trainer has stated she’s unlikely to run on good fast ground. If getting her conditions she’s no 40/1 chance. Current odds: 40/1   INFINITE COSMOS Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Was well supported when winning her maiden at the Newmarket Guineas meeting and was well backed once more when stepping up in grade to run in the Musidora Stakes at York when going down by 4 1/2L to Soul Sister. Extra furlong and a half should suit but hard to envisage her turning tables on the winner that day. Current odds: 12/1   JACKIE OH Trainer: Aiden O’Brien Dam was first past the post in 1000 Guineas so classically bred. Only run the twice, winning a 1M Naas maiden on soft ground in March and runner up in listed company at Navan the following month. One of 9 Aiden O’Brien possibles but will need to step her game up to feature here. Current odds: 33/1   MAMAN JOON Trainer: Richard Hannon Owned by Amo Racing and has had just the one career start when running the impressive Gather Ye Rosebuds to 9 1/2L in a Newbury 10F maiden on soft ground in April. The winner was put in her place in the Musidora and that form is hardly good enough. Current odds: 50/1   MEDITATE Trainer: Aiden O’Brien One of the best two year olds around last season winning 5 of her 7 starts including the Breeders Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf over a mile. Went off second favourite in 1000 Guineas when only 6th to Mawj beaten 11 1/2L. Up half a mile here and unlikely to stay and an unlikely runner. Current odds: 66/1   NEVER ENDING STORY Trainer: Aiden O’Brien Group 3 winner at Leopardstown in April and wasn’t totally disgraced when 5th in French 1000 Guineas last weekend, beaten only 5L. Yet to race beyond a mile though there’s stamina on both sides of her pedigree so may appreciate stepping up in distance now. Each way claims. Current odds: 16/1   POLLY POT Trainer: Ben Pauling Winner of the Group 2 May Hill Stakes as a juvenile for the now retired Harry Dunlop. Has since joined predominantly jumps trainer Ben Pauling in the Cotswolds but shown very little in two starts (1000 Guineas & Newbury Oaks Trial) and may not have trained on. Current odds: 100/1   RED RIDING HOOD Trainer: Aiden O’Brien Another Aiden O’Brien filly who broke her maiden at Dundalk on the sand in April at 2/7. Wore first time blinkers when third, beaten 3/4L in 10F Group 3 at Naas at beginning of month so has plenty to find. Current odds: 66/1   RICH Trainer: Richard Hannon Beaten in Brighton handicap on penultimate outing and has an official rating of only 87. Total no hoper. Current odds: 200/1   RUNNING LION Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Won her last four starts (three on the all weather) and took her form to another level when an easy winner of the listed 10F Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket’s Guineas meeting. She came home 4 1/2L to the good that day from Sumo Sam, who’s been beaten since at odds on so it may not have been the strongest renewal of that race. Connections aren’t sure whether she’ll stay 1M 4F and question marks hang over her for that reason. Current odds: 7/1   SAVETHELASTDANCE Trainer: Aiden O’Brien Followed a Leopardstown maiden win on soft ground (form worked out well) with a staggering 22L victory in the Cheshire Oaks on soft ground. Visually very impressive and must go very close here as long as there’s some cut in ground. Interestingly her part owner Paul Smith was saying afterwards they think she will be even better on better ground. No value in the price now but massive chance. Current odds: 11/8   SEA OF ROSES Trainer: Andrew Balding Runner up in a Group 3 in France on re-appearance prior to finishing 7 3/4L 5th of 8 in Musidora behind Soul Sister. Has a bit to find on that run and would only hold a small place chance. Current odds: 50/1   SOUL SISTER Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Obviously hated the soft ground at Newbury on re-appearance (also apparently resented wearing a cross noseband) when finishing plum last of twelve beaten some 22L but turned in a much improved run when winning the Musidora Stakes at York when always travelling well on the better ground on the near side and running out a 4L winner (Infinite Cosmos, Sea Of Roses & Empress Wu all behind and looking held). The extra furlong and a half shouldn’t be an issue and holds a major chance. Current odds: 3/1   UNLESS Trainer: Aiden O’Brien Finally broke her maiden at Naas last week winning by 2 1/2L at their seventh attempt. Only rated 89 and unlikely to be troubling the judge. Current odds: 50/1   WARM HEART Trainer: Aiden O’Brien Galileo filly who stepped up from her Leopardstown maiden victory when winning the listed 10F Newbury Oaks trial by a head from Bluestocking last week. Extra 2F shouldn’t be an issue and holds each way claims as long as this race doesn’t come too soon. Current odds: 14/1   This may well revolve around the two fillies at the top of the market in Aiden O’Brien’s Savethelastdance and John and Thady Gosden’s Soul Sister. The former was so impressive at Chester but that did come on soft ground and if, as looks likely, the ground rides on the better side next weekend she could be vulnerable especially at her current odds. I prefer Soul Sister who had a valid excuse on her re-appearance (soggy ground and not taking to a cross noseband) and looked a quality filly for a stable who know how to train the fairer sex. She’s the pick of the current prices. Her stable mate Running Lion isn’t a certain stayer and I’m not quite sure what she beat at Newmarket in the Pretty Polly whilst Infinite Cosmos looks comfortably held by the selection. Were the ground to turn soft then David Menuisier’s Heartache Tonight a half sister to the stable’s Group 1 winning mare Wonderful Tonight would be worth backing each way at around the 40/1 but she is very ground dependent.   SOUL SISTER 2 points win @ 10/3 bet365   My Epsom Derby thoughts can be found here:-  https://forum.punterslounge.com/topic/183371-epsom-derby/  

The first of two cracking days racing at Epsom with two Group Ones on todays card with the Oaks set to be run at 16:30 (as long as those pesky Animal Rising idiots don’t have a say) and the Coronation Cup at 15:10. The ITV cameras are there for the first five races with the ground likely to ride good although the course has been very well watered in the last week.   Epsom 14:00 We start the two day Derby fixture with the 6F Woodcote Stakes for two year olds. With the race on the turning track it’s advantageous to be drawn low although a look back to last year’s race shows you can be competitive from a high draw. Richard Hannon has a solid record in this race and saddles two interesting runners in Haatem who impressed when winning at Bath last time and can be competitive although my preference is for The Camden Colt who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. He made all when winning at Haydock on fast ground eight days ago and if he can get over from stall 7 appears to hold every chance. The form of both Balon D’Or and Bobsleigh has been let down whilst Yorkshire Terrier would have been high on my shortlist but for his draw position of 12 of 12. He’s made all to win two all weather races and with Oisin Murphy on top can run well if overcoming that coffin box. I wouldn’t be shocked if Craig Lidster’s, who is an under rated trainer, Land Lover runs very well from stall 1. He wasn’t disgraced when 4th (beaten 4 1/2L) on his racecourse debut at York in a £15k race and with improvement likely and a nice draw is worth a small each way saver with the main bet being The Camden Colt under Ryan Moore.   THE CAMDEN COLT 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 LAND LOVER 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 14:35 A competitive 13 runner 1M 113 yard class 2 handicap is up next with the David O’Meara trained Rhoscolyn, owned by The Horse Watchers a very interesting contender. He’s been dropped another couple of pounds putting him 8lb lower than when running third at Royal Ascot last year and showed enough last time out to suggest his time is near. The George Boughey trained All The Kings Men is tried in first time blinkers and going up in trip which may well suit this William Buick ridden five year old. Charlie Johnstone saddles two with claims in Dutch Decoy (ridden by Neil Callan) who’s dropped below his last winning mark and Austrian Theory (Joe Fanning) who’s also dropped to a winning mark and showed enough last time to suggest he can run well. His latest win came at Hamilton a year ago when defeating Ghaly (who’s won both his races since and is now 13lb higher) and can go close. The ground isn’t soft enough for Hodler whilst top weight Revich who comes here following a recent win at Chester was runner up in this race last year but is up 6lb for Chester which puts him on his highest ever handicap mark. He should run well none the less. A tricky race which I’ve narrowed down to Rhoscolyn and Austrian Theory with the latter having the call.   AUSTRIAN THEORY 1 point each way @ 9/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 15:10 A cracking renewal of the Group 1 Coronation Cup run over the Derby distance of 1M 4F and featuring four Group one winners with the odd one out the Aidan O’Brien trained Point Lonsdale who arrives in top,form having won both of his starts since a break including last time out at Chester in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes who can’t be dismissed either. John and Thady Gosden’s smart filly Emily Upjohn makes her re-appearance after apparently coming to hand slowly. She was an unlucky loser of last years Oaks on this day and ended last season winning the Group 1 Champion Fillies & mares at Ascot. She’s smart and can be competitive as long as she doesn’t pull too hard. Last year’s Derby 3rd (and possibly unlucky not to get closer having had a poor run in the race) and Irish Derby winner Westover is the most likely winner to my eyes and certainly wasn’t disgraced when runner up to the very smart Equinox in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. Ralph Beckett’s four year old will be ridden by Rob Hornby who will feel he has unfinished business after last year’s unlucky passage in the Derby and can take the spoils. Charlie Appleby’s Hurricane Lane shouldn’t be dismissed as a classic winner (St Leger from 2021) and impressed last time when bouncing back from a poor run at Newbury but I must admit I am a bit concerned with the form of some of the stable who certainly aren’t firing on all cylinders with just the 4 winners from their last 33 runners going into Thursday. The fifth member of the field is the German trained Tunnes who was a very easy winner of the German St Leger and a Group 1 last Autumn by 8L and 10L respectively although both wins came on very soft ground so for that reason alone is passed over here on today’s sounder surface.   WESTOVER 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365   Epsom 15:45 A valuable class 2 handicap for four year old and upwards, run over 10F has attracted a field of ten which gives it a good each way feel with some firms paying four places. John & Thady Gosden’s Honiton proved he was better than his seasonal re-appearance (when hating the soft ground) at Goodwood when pushed out to win by 1 1/4L at Newmarket on much better ground a fortnight later under today’s pilot James Doyle though has been raised 4lb for that win and is drawn out wide. He has every chance and has to be on anyone’s short list but back in fourth that day at Newmarket was William Knight’s Dual Identity who was visibly dropped out the back from the start by Jamie Spencer and made up ground to finish 2 1/2L behind Honiton and with a one pound drop is now 5lb better off and with a more positive ride from Neil Callan from an inside berth can make up the deficit on the Gosden horse and looks great each way value. A big outsider who is worth keeping an eye in is the Richard Spencer trained The City’s Phantom who may have needed his seasonal re-appearance when friendless in the market going off at 66/1 and running accordingly. He’s better than that and having been dropped 3lb finds himself on the same mark as when a 6L winner at Yarmouth 14 months ago. Top weight Savvy Victory arrives in good form under Ryan Moore although this will be his highest ever mark whilst Bad Company (5th last year) needs softer conditions. Kevin Ryan’s Marhaba The Champ won a similar handicap on his seasonal re-appearance at York’s Dante meeting (his first since wind surgery) and with only a 2lb rise is another with claims although they did all finish in a bit of a heap that day with one of today’s rivals Majestic only a length behind and 2lb better off. A tight handicap but I feel that Dual Identity is building up to something and should be backed each way with firms paying that fourth place although it has to be noted that Knight is looking for his first winner for 119 days and 36 runs although he has a couple of runner ups in his last five runners so hopefully his turn is near.   DUAL IDENTITY 1 point each way @ 8/1 1/5th 1234   Epsom 16:30 This may well revolve around the two fillies at the top of the market in Aiden O’Brien’s Savethelastdance and John and Thady Gosden’s Soul Sister. The former was so impressive at Chester but that did come on soft ground and the big question with her is will she handle this sounder surface (although the course has been well watered this week). I prefer Soul Sister who had a valid excuse on her re-appearance (soggy ground and not taking to a cross noseband) and looked a quality filly for a stable who know how to train the fairer sex. She’s the pick for me. Her stable mate Running Lion isn’t a certain stayer and I’m not quite sure what she beat at Newmarket in the Pretty Polly. David Menuisier’s Heartache Tonight is a half sister to the stable’s Group 1 winning mare Wonderful Tonight and as long as the ground is not riding fast then she can outrun her double figure odds and possibly hit the frame.   SOUL SISTER 2 points win @ 5/2 BetVictor     All odds accurate at time of writing.    

I tend to back previous distance winners in the Oaks & the Derby .
In the Oaks I've backed ETERNAL HOPE 14/1 Sky ( 4 places ) only distance winner in the field , way down on ratings . horse hated the course . 👎
ARREST in the Derby for me though will keep eye on prices .
Local trainer Jim Boyle has 4 running today , all but 1 previous course or course & distance winners always a plus point here which some horses loathe .
2.35 HODLER 11/1 ( 4 places ) 👎
3.45 BAD COMPANY 11/1 ) 4 places ) 👎
5.45 MARLAY PARK 13/2 ( 4 places ) 3rd 8/1 with Boyle's other horse Secret Strength 4th at 33/1 .
will price later , all each way .

The first of two cracking days racing at Epsom with two Group Ones on todays card with the Oaks set to be run at 16:30 (as long as those pesky Animal Rising idiots don’t have a say) and the Coronation Cup at 15:10. The ITV cameras are there for the first five races with the ground likely to ride good although the course has been very well watered in the last week.   Epsom 14:00 We start the two day Derby fixture with the 6F Woodcote Stakes for two year olds. With the race on the turning track it’s advantageous to be drawn low although a look back to last year’s race shows you can be competitive from a high draw. Richard Hannon has a solid record in this race and saddles two interesting runners in Haatem who impressed when winning at Bath last time and can be competitive although my preference is for The Camden Colt who will be ridden by Ryan Moore. He made all when winning at Haydock on fast ground eight days ago and if he can get over from stall 7 appears to hold every chance. The form of both Balon D’Or and Bobsleigh has been let down whilst Yorkshire Terrier would have been high on my shortlist but for his draw position of 12 of 12. He’s made all to win two all weather races and with Oisin Murphy on top can run well if overcoming that coffin box. I wouldn’t be shocked if Craig Lidster’s, who is an under rated trainer, Land Lover runs very well from stall 1. He wasn’t disgraced when 4th (beaten 4 1/2L) on his racecourse debut at York in a £15k race and with improvement likely and a nice draw is worth a small each way saver with the main bet being The Camden Colt under Ryan Moore.   THE CAMDEN COLT 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365 1/5th 1234 LAND LOVER 1/2 point each way @ 12/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 14:35 A competitive 13 runner 1M 113 yard class 2 handicap is up next with the David O’Meara trained Rhoscolyn, owned by The Horse Watchers a very interesting contender. He’s been dropped another couple of pounds putting him 8lb lower than when running third at Royal Ascot last year and showed enough last time out to suggest his time is near. The George Boughey trained All The Kings Men is tried in first time blinkers and going up in trip which may well suit this William Buick ridden five year old. Charlie Johnstone saddles two with claims in Dutch Decoy (ridden by Neil Callan) who’s dropped below his last winning mark and Austrian Theory (Joe Fanning) who’s also dropped to a winning mark and showed enough last time to suggest he can run well. His latest win came at Hamilton a year ago when defeating Ghaly (who’s won both his races since and is now 13lb higher) and can go close. The ground isn’t soft enough for Hodler whilst top weight Revich who comes here following a recent win at Chester was runner up in this race last year but is up 6lb for Chester which puts him on his highest ever handicap mark. He should run well none the less. A tricky race which I’ve narrowed down to Rhoscolyn and Austrian Theory with the latter having the call.   AUSTRIAN THEORY 1 point each way @ 9/1 bet365 1/5th 1234   Epsom 15:10 A cracking renewal of the Group 1 Coronation Cup run over the Derby distance of 1M 4F and featuring four Group one winners with the odd one out the Aidan O’Brien trained Point Lonsdale who arrives in top,form having won both of his starts since a break including last time out at Chester in the Group 2 Huxley Stakes who can’t be dismissed either. John and Thady Gosden’s smart filly Emily Upjohn makes her re-appearance after apparently coming to hand slowly. She was an unlucky loser of last years Oaks on this day and ended last season winning the Group 1 Champion Fillies & mares at Ascot. She’s smart and can be competitive as long as she doesn’t pull too hard. Last year’s Derby 3rd (and possibly unlucky not to get closer having had a poor run in the race) and Irish Derby winner Westover is the most likely winner to my eyes and certainly wasn’t disgraced when runner up to the very smart Equinox in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. Ralph Beckett’s four year old will be ridden by Rob Hornby who will feel he has unfinished business after last year’s unlucky passage in the Derby and can take the spoils. Charlie Appleby’s Hurricane Lane shouldn’t be dismissed as a classic winner (St Leger from 2021) and impressed last time when bouncing back from a poor run at Newbury but I must admit I am a bit concerned with the form of some of the stable who certainly aren’t firing on all cylinders with just the 4 winners from their last 33 runners going into Thursday. The fifth member of the field is the German trained Tunnes who was a very easy winner of the German St Leger and a Group 1 last Autumn by 8L and 10L respectively although both wins came on very soft ground so for that reason alone is passed over here on today’s sounder surface.   WESTOVER 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365   Epsom 15:45 A valuable class 2 handicap for four year old and upwards, run over 10F has attracted a field of ten which gives it a good each way feel with some firms paying four places. John & Thady Gosden’s Honiton proved he was better than his seasonal re-appearance (when hating the soft ground) at Goodwood when pushed out to win by 1 1/4L at Newmarket on much better ground a fortnight later under today’s pilot James Doyle though has been raised 4lb for that win and is drawn out wide. He has every chance and has to be on anyone’s short list but back in fourth that day at Newmarket was William Knight’s Dual Identity who was visibly dropped out the back from the start by Jamie Spencer and made up ground to finish 2 1/2L behind Honiton and with a one pound drop is now 5lb better off and with a more positive ride from Neil Callan from an inside berth can make up the deficit on the Gosden horse and looks great each way value. A big outsider who is worth keeping an eye in is the Richard Spencer trained The City’s Phantom who may have needed his seasonal re-appearance when friendless in the market going off at 66/1 and running accordingly. He’s better than that and having been dropped 3lb finds himself on the same mark as when a 6L winner at Yarmouth 14 months ago. Top weight Savvy Victory arrives in good form under Ryan Moore although this will be his highest ever mark whilst Bad Company (5th last year) needs softer conditions. Kevin Ryan’s Marhaba The Champ won a similar handicap on his seasonal re-appearance at York’s Dante meeting (his first since wind surgery) and with only a 2lb rise is another with claims although they did all finish in a bit of a heap that day with one of today’s rivals Majestic only a length behind and 2lb better off. A tight handicap but I feel that Dual Identity is building up to something and should be backed each way with firms paying that fourth place although it has to be noted that Knight is looking for his first winner for 119 days and 36 runs although he has a couple of runner ups in his last five runners so hopefully his turn is near.   DUAL IDENTITY 1 point each way @ 8/1 1/5th 1234   Epsom 16:30 This may well revolve around the two fillies at the top of the market in Aiden O’Brien’s Savethelastdance and John and Thady Gosden’s Soul Sister. The former was so impressive at Chester but that did come on soft ground and the big question with her is will she handle this sounder surface (although the course has been well watered this week). I prefer Soul Sister who had a valid excuse on her re-appearance (soggy ground and not taking to a cross noseband) and looked a quality filly for a stable who know how to train the fairer sex. She’s the pick for me. Her stable mate Running Lion isn’t a certain stayer and I’m not quite sure what she beat at Newmarket in the Pretty Polly. David Menuisier’s Heartache Tonight is a half sister to the stable’s Group 1 winning mare Wonderful Tonight and as long as the ground is not riding fast then she can outrun her double figure odds and possibly hit the frame.   SOUL SISTER 2 points win @ 5/2 BetVictor     All odds accurate at time of writing.    

A feast of top class action awaits us this afternoon with ITV showing ten races from four meetings. We have five from Haydock (good to firm ground), two from Goodwood (good), two from York (good to firm) plus the Irish 2000 Guineas from The Curragh (good). Here are my best racing tips to beat the bookies.   Haydock 13:15 Sorry did I say top class action? We kick off today with a class 5 0-75 handicap that looks totally out of place amongst the feast of superb action to come. Mind you a winners a winner and in the top weight Auld Toon Loon we have a worthy bet. Trained in Yorkshire by David O’Meara, who’s had a quiet start to the season so far although was in the winners enclosure with Trueman earlier in the week at Carlisle, he was well supported on his handicap debut at Wetherby 11 days ago when going down by half a length to Arch Moon in a slightly better grade handicap than todays. He has been shunted up 3lb for that run and is stepping up 2F to a mile and a half for the first time. This trip should suit and despite having to give weight away to his six rivals should be up to that as his opponents look either out of form or very modest.   AULD TOON LOON 2 points win @ 13/8 bet365   Goodwood 13:30 Just the seven assemble for this listed William Hill Festival Stakes run over 1M 2F. Joint best in at today’s weights are Roger Varian’s El Drama and John and Thady Gosden’s Francesco Clemente. Preference has to be for the latter who is still unbeaten in three starts as a three year old last season starting off with a comprehensive victory in the Wood Ditton and culminating with a ten length win in a handicap on the July course at the same racecourse in July. Not seen since but holding several top entries for the Summer and beyond including the Princess Of Wales, Hardwicke Stakes, Eclipse and Prix Arc de L’Triomphe he could be anything and with Rab Havlin in the saddle he’s taken to score on his re-appearance. Charlie Appleby’s King Of Conquest is chasing a hat trick having won handicaps in Bahrain and at Newmarket and rates as the biggest threat to the selection.   FRANCESCO CLEMENTE 1 point win @ 7/4 BetVictor   Haydock 13:50 Seven go to post for this 2M class 2 0-100 handicap. Reshoun heads the weights for Patrick Morris and although he’s back on a winning mark he’s nine years old now and may not be as good as he once was. His former trainer Ian William’s Law Of The Sea appeals as the most likely winner here having looked an unlucky loser in the Chester Cup last time out when coming home in fourth place only beaten just under two lengths. He was denied a clear run inside the last couple of furlongs when trapped on the rail under Franny Norton and is only a pound higher with William Buick booked to ride. The ground was soft that day and will be very different today but he’s shown as least as good form on fast ground throughout his career (5th, beaten 4L, in the 2021 Queens Vase at Ascot on good to firm) and is the selection here. Ralph Beckett’s Carzola is chasing a four timer but those three wins have come on the all-weather and soft turf ground so has to answer questions here on fast ground conditions. David Simcock’s Mountain Road is chasing a hat trick but we haven’t seen him on a racecourse for just under 200 days whilst Tony Martin brings Firstman over from his base in County Meath and has gone 127 days since his last flat win. Law Of The Sea is a confident selection to give William Buick yet another winner.   LAW OF THE SEA 2 points win @ 3/1 BetFred   Goodwood 14:05 An intriguing three year olds only 7F handicap where as always at Goodwood when racing around the bend the draw is very important with those drawn on or near the rails (low numbers) significantly better off. William Haggas’s Tafreej has to be in the shortlist from stall 2 having run well enough at Newbury last month whilst John & Thady Gosden’s Bresson is one to watch closely in the market on his handicap debut from stall 5. Yacowlef has been raised 6lb for his victory at Newmarket from Striking Star (runner up again since) and can run well for the father and son team of Paul and Oliver Cole who will no doubt be in attendance at The Curragh for the Irish 2000 Guineas today with their Guineas third Royal Scotsman. One horse who I feel is well handicapped is Tom Clover’s Seeking Gold. He bumped into Chaldean on his racecourse debut at Newbury last July prior to winning at Yarmouth the following month. He wasn’t disgraced in listed company on his next start whilst his final start in Group 2 company in France can be overlooked on account of the soft ground. He’s drawn stall one and can run very well although I would have liked to seen his trainer in better form having gone 40 days and 25 runs since his last winner but he has had a few hit the frame in the last fortnight including Rogue Millennium going down by half a length in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York. I’ll take a chance on him at the prices.   SEEKING GOLD 1 point each way @ 11/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234   Haydock 14:25 The Betfred Silver Bowl is a class 2 1M three year olds only handicap that usually produces a nice winner and is always worth following. John and Thady Gosden’s Covey heads the market on the back of impressive victories at Newmarket and Newcastle. This will be his first step into handicap company and a mark of 90 looks workable when you consider the connections we’re considering the Irish 2000 Guineas for him. Frankie Dettori gets the leg up and he’s my main selection. There are several other promising types in opposition including Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Defence Of Fort who’s always been highly thought of and makes his handicap debut also although we haven’t seen him for 211 days which is a bit of a concern. The fast ground is of concern for the Ed Bethell trained James McHenry whose two handicap victories this season (including over course and distance) have come with give in the ground. Top weight Killybegs Warrior starts out in handicaps off of a lofty mark of 102 but he’s kept some smart company so far in his career including when 6th, beaten 5 1/4L in the Dante Stakes over 10 1/2F at York recently. A drop back to a mile will suit and can run a nice race. Bottom weight Just Bring It is the other one I want on my side as he appeared to improve for a sounder surface when runner up in a Newmarket handicap a week ago when getting run down late on by Chelsea Green. Off of only a one pound higher mark he looks overpriced for a trainer Clive Cox who knows how to win this having won it twice in the last four years.   COVEY 2 points win @ 11/4 William Hill JUST BRING IT 1 point each way @ 14/1 1/5th 1234   York 14:40 A typical 5F sprint handicap for horses rated 0-105 for which fourteen have declared. The 5F handicap run at last week’s Dante meeting is the key piece of form here with Korker finishing runner up from Bedford Flyer in 3rd and Mondammej back in 4th and Alligator Alley, and Copper Knight further behind. Korker started slowly that day (as he has done before) and flashed home to be beaten 1/2L by Regional. With a cleaner break at the gate he can confirm that form and take this sprint handicap. Ruth Carr’s bottom weight Reigning Profit has been in good form of late but may prefer more ease in the ground whilst Nigel Tinkler’s Squealer is an interesting runner as despite a plum draw at Chester last time he patently failed to handle the soft ground and back on a sounder surface could run better. A tough race which has a ‘who’s turn is it today’ feel about it but if Karl Burke’s top weight Korker can start on terms with his rivals he could be the one to take this.   KORKER 1 point win @ 10/3 William Hill   Haydock 15:00 A cracker of a sprint is up next with the Group 2 6F Sandy Lane Stakes for three year olds only, a stepping stone to the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot next month with all eight competitors holding that entry. The stand out horse is Aiden O’Brien’s top juvenile from last season Little Big Bear who was impressive when routing his field in the Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh coming home 7L to the good. It all went wrong for him in the 2000 Guineas when upped in trip as he pulled too hard and clipping heels early on, finished lame. Dropped back to sprint trips he has to be given another chance but has been well found in the market. Frankie Dettori takes the ride with Ryan Moore on duty in Ireland. Kevin Ryan’s Cold Case is a progressive sort who kept on well to win the group 3 Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot with today’s rival Bradsell 1 1/2L back in third. That was Bradsell’s first run since a bad injury in the Phoenix Stakes last season and he looked all over the winner until presumably blowing up inside the final furlong. It wouldn’t surprise me if Archie Watson’s likeable three year old turns the tables on Cold Case and he’s the selection here. Matilda Picotte, trained in Ireland by Kieran Cotter, ran third in the 1000 Guineas and is, like the favourite here, dropping in trip. She does though have 20lb to find with Little Big Bear. A fascinating race with Royal Ascot’s Commonwealth Cup on the horizon and I’ll take a chance with Bradsell to shock Little Big Bear under Hollie Doyle.   BRADSELL 1 point win @ 7/2 bet365   York 15:15 Nine fillies and mares aged four year olds and older line up for the Group 3 William Hill Brontë Cup Fillies Stakes for which we have a very warm favourite in the John and Thady Gosden trained four year old Mimikyu who has to shoulder a 5lb penalty for her Group 2 Park Hill Stakes win at Doncaster last September. That’s easily the best form on offer here and she will be hard to beat under Kieran O’Neill although she’s never actually raced on ground as fast as it will be this afternoon. On official ratings, even with her penalty, she’s 10lb ahead of her opponents and it’s hard to find one to trouble her here. Ralph Beckett’s River Of Stars was over 12L behind the favourite when last seen and there’s no reason to believe she can turn the tables so a bigger threat may well be the William Haggas improver Sea Flawless although this is a big step up in grade for her and is officially 20lb behind behind Mimikyu who’s been working with the stable’s Oaks fancy Soul Sister on the Newmarket gallops and has to be the pick.   MIMIKYU 1 point win @ 5/4 William Hill   Haydock 15:30 Fourteen speedsters line up for the Group 2 5F Betfred Temple Stakes. It has quite an open look about it this year with the front four in the market looking to dominate. James Tate’s Royal Aclaim was a highly promising sprinter last season who was very impressive at York’s Ebor meeting winning the listed City Of Walls Stakes in a canter and wasn’t disgraced on two subsequent efforts in higher grade. The two three year olds both hold decent chances with The Platinum Queen having a terrific first season culminating in winning the Prix de L’Abbaye at Longchamp against her elders. Owned then by Middleham Park Racing she was subsequently sold to Katsumi Yoshida for a staggering £1.2 million and transferred from Richard Fahey to Roger Varian and has to shoulder a 5lb penalty today. Dramatised also had an excellent first term winning the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and ending her season finishing runner up in the breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint with The Platinum Queen well behind. William Buick is booked and she looks the pick today although I do fear last season’s runner up Twilight Calls who loves the ground this fast and can be excused his re-appearance defeat on the grounds of the soft conditions that prevailed that day. Any one of the front four could take this but I’m with Dramatised for the in form Karl Burke stable.   DRAMATISED 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365   The Curragh 15:40 The Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas feature eleven three year old colts including the second and third from the English 2000 Guineas three weeks ago. Aiden O’Brien saddles three runners in a race that he’s won a staggering eleven times in the past. Ryan Moore presumably has had the pick and is on the progressive Paddington who was pushed out to win a listed race over course and distance last time following a handicap victory at Naas. Both of those wins were gained on soft ground and on different ground and upped in trip is quite easily passed over. You do feel if he wasn’t the O’Brien number one he would a much bigger price than his current price of around 4/1. O’Brien also sends out Cairo and Age Of Kings here but neither appeal. The race that should produce the winner today is the English 2000 Guineas from three weeks ago when Kevin Ryan’s Hi Royal, who went off at 125/1, had Paul & Oliver Cole’s Royal Scotsman half a length behind when runner up to Chaldean. That doesn’t tell half the story mind as the latter was lit up by clipping heels early on, running with the choke out and on the wrong side of where the winner and runner up came from. Royal Scotsman has decent two year old form on fast ground as a two year old and the younger half of the training duo sounded very confident earlier in the week talking up his chances. Jamie Spencer is not my favourite jockey but he’s capable and won this race for Charlie Hills back in 2019 and takes the reins today. He’s a confident selection.   ROYAL SCOTSMAN 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365   All odds were accurate at time of writing.  

A feast of top class action awaits us this afternoon with ITV showing ten races from four meetings. We have five from Haydock (good to firm ground), two from Goodwood (good), two from York (good to firm) plus the Irish 2000 Guineas from The Curragh (good). Here are my best racing tips to beat the bookies.   Haydock 13:15 Sorry did I say top class action? We kick off today with a class 5 0-75 handicap that looks totally out of place amongst the feast of superb action to come. Mind you a winners a winner and in the top weight Auld Toon Loon we have a worthy bet. Trained in Yorkshire by David O’Meara, who’s had a quiet start to the season so far although was in the winners enclosure with Trueman earlier in the week at Carlisle, he was well supported on his handicap debut at Wetherby 11 days ago when going down by half a length to Arch Moon in a slightly better grade handicap than todays. He has been shunted up 3lb for that run and is stepping up 2F to a mile and a half for the first time. This trip should suit and despite having to give weight away to his six rivals should be up to that as his opponents look either out of form or very modest.   AULD TOON LOON 2 points win @ 13/8 bet365   Goodwood 13:30 Just the seven assemble for this listed William Hill Festival Stakes run over 1M 2F. Joint best in at today’s weights are Roger Varian’s El Drama and John and Thady Gosden’s Francesco Clemente. Preference has to be for the latter who is still unbeaten in three starts as a three year old last season starting off with a comprehensive victory in the Wood Ditton and culminating with a ten length win in a handicap on the July course at the same racecourse in July. Not seen since but holding several top entries for the Summer and beyond including the Princess Of Wales, Hardwicke Stakes, Eclipse and Prix Arc de L’Triomphe he could be anything and with Rab Havlin in the saddle he’s taken to score on his re-appearance. Charlie Appleby’s King Of Conquest is chasing a hat trick having won handicaps in Bahrain and at Newmarket and rates as the biggest threat to the selection.   FRANCESCO CLEMENTE 1 point win @ 7/4 BetVictor   Haydock 13:50 Seven go to post for this 2M class 2 0-100 handicap. Reshoun heads the weights for Patrick Morris and although he’s back on a winning mark he’s nine years old now and may not be as good as he once was. His former trainer Ian William’s Law Of The Sea appeals as the most likely winner here having looked an unlucky loser in the Chester Cup last time out when coming home in fourth place only beaten just under two lengths. He was denied a clear run inside the last couple of furlongs when trapped on the rail under Franny Norton and is only a pound higher with William Buick booked to ride. The ground was soft that day and will be very different today but he’s shown as least as good form on fast ground throughout his career (5th, beaten 4L, in the 2021 Queens Vase at Ascot on good to firm) and is the selection here. Ralph Beckett’s Carzola is chasing a four timer but those three wins have come on the all-weather and soft turf ground so has to answer questions here on fast ground conditions. David Simcock’s Mountain Road is chasing a hat trick but we haven’t seen him on a racecourse for just under 200 days whilst Tony Martin brings Firstman over from his base in County Meath and has gone 127 days since his last flat win. Law Of The Sea is a confident selection to give William Buick yet another winner.   LAW OF THE SEA 2 points win @ 3/1 BetFred   Goodwood 14:05 An intriguing three year olds only 7F handicap where as always at Goodwood when racing around the bend the draw is very important with those drawn on or near the rails (low numbers) significantly better off. William Haggas’s Tafreej has to be in the shortlist from stall 2 having run well enough at Newbury last month whilst John & Thady Gosden’s Bresson is one to watch closely in the market on his handicap debut from stall 5. Yacowlef has been raised 6lb for his victory at Newmarket from Striking Star (runner up again since) and can run well for the father and son team of Paul and Oliver Cole who will no doubt be in attendance at The Curragh for the Irish 2000 Guineas today with their Guineas third Royal Scotsman. One horse who I feel is well handicapped is Tom Clover’s Seeking Gold. He bumped into Chaldean on his racecourse debut at Newbury last July prior to winning at Yarmouth the following month. He wasn’t disgraced in listed company on his next start whilst his final start in Group 2 company in France can be overlooked on account of the soft ground. He’s drawn stall one and can run very well although I would have liked to seen his trainer in better form having gone 40 days and 25 runs since his last winner but he has had a few hit the frame in the last fortnight including Rogue Millennium going down by half a length in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York. I’ll take a chance on him at the prices.   SEEKING GOLD 1 point each way @ 11/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234   Haydock 14:25 The Betfred Silver Bowl is a class 2 1M three year olds only handicap that usually produces a nice winner and is always worth following. John and Thady Gosden’s Covey heads the market on the back of impressive victories at Newmarket and Newcastle. This will be his first step into handicap company and a mark of 90 looks workable when you consider the connections we’re considering the Irish 2000 Guineas for him. Frankie Dettori gets the leg up and he’s my main selection. There are several other promising types in opposition including Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Defence Of Fort who’s always been highly thought of and makes his handicap debut also although we haven’t seen him for 211 days which is a bit of a concern. The fast ground is of concern for the Ed Bethell trained James McHenry whose two handicap victories this season (including over course and distance) have come with give in the ground. Top weight Killybegs Warrior starts out in handicaps off of a lofty mark of 102 but he’s kept some smart company so far in his career including when 6th, beaten 5 1/4L in the Dante Stakes over 10 1/2F at York recently. A drop back to a mile will suit and can run a nice race. Bottom weight Just Bring It is the other one I want on my side as he appeared to improve for a sounder surface when runner up in a Newmarket handicap a week ago when getting run down late on by Chelsea Green. Off of only a one pound higher mark he looks overpriced for a trainer Clive Cox who knows how to win this having won it twice in the last four years.   COVEY 2 points win @ 11/4 William Hill JUST BRING IT 1 point each way @ 14/1 1/5th 1234   York 14:40 A typical 5F sprint handicap for horses rated 0-105 for which fourteen have declared. The 5F handicap run at last week’s Dante meeting is the key piece of form here with Korker finishing runner up from Bedford Flyer in 3rd and Mondammej back in 4th and Alligator Alley, and Copper Knight further behind. Korker started slowly that day (as he has done before) and flashed home to be beaten 1/2L by Regional. With a cleaner break at the gate he can confirm that form and take this sprint handicap. Ruth Carr’s bottom weight Reigning Profit has been in good form of late but may prefer more ease in the ground whilst Nigel Tinkler’s Squealer is an interesting runner as despite a plum draw at Chester last time he patently failed to handle the soft ground and back on a sounder surface could run better. A tough race which has a ‘who’s turn is it today’ feel about it but if Karl Burke’s top weight Korker can start on terms with his rivals he could be the one to take this.   KORKER 1 point win @ 10/3 William Hill   Haydock 15:00 A cracker of a sprint is up next with the Group 2 6F Sandy Lane Stakes for three year olds only, a stepping stone to the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot next month with all eight competitors holding that entry. The stand out horse is Aiden O’Brien’s top juvenile from last season Little Big Bear who was impressive when routing his field in the Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh coming home 7L to the good. It all went wrong for him in the 2000 Guineas when upped in trip as he pulled too hard and clipping heels early on, finished lame. Dropped back to sprint trips he has to be given another chance but has been well found in the market. Frankie Dettori takes the ride with Ryan Moore on duty in Ireland. Kevin Ryan’s Cold Case is a progressive sort who kept on well to win the group 3 Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot with today’s rival Bradsell 1 1/2L back in third. That was Bradsell’s first run since a bad injury in the Phoenix Stakes last season and he looked all over the winner until presumably blowing up inside the final furlong. It wouldn’t surprise me if Archie Watson’s likeable three year old turns the tables on Cold Case and he’s the selection here. Matilda Picotte, trained in Ireland by Kieran Cotter, ran third in the 1000 Guineas and is, like the favourite here, dropping in trip. She does though have 20lb to find with Little Big Bear. A fascinating race with Royal Ascot’s Commonwealth Cup on the horizon and I’ll take a chance with Bradsell to shock Little Big Bear under Hollie Doyle.   BRADSELL 1 point win @ 7/2 bet365   York 15:15 Nine fillies and mares aged four year olds and older line up for the Group 3 William Hill Brontë Cup Fillies Stakes for which we have a very warm favourite in the John and Thady Gosden trained four year old Mimikyu who has to shoulder a 5lb penalty for her Group 2 Park Hill Stakes win at Doncaster last September. That’s easily the best form on offer here and she will be hard to beat under Kieran O’Neill although she’s never actually raced on ground as fast as it will be this afternoon. On official ratings, even with her penalty, she’s 10lb ahead of her opponents and it’s hard to find one to trouble her here. Ralph Beckett’s River Of Stars was over 12L behind the favourite when last seen and there’s no reason to believe she can turn the tables so a bigger threat may well be the William Haggas improver Sea Flawless although this is a big step up in grade for her and is officially 20lb behind behind Mimikyu who’s been working with the stable’s Oaks fancy Soul Sister on the Newmarket gallops and has to be the pick.   MIMIKYU 1 point win @ 5/4 William Hill   Haydock 15:30 Fourteen speedsters line up for the Group 2 5F Betfred Temple Stakes. It has quite an open look about it this year with the front four in the market looking to dominate. James Tate’s Royal Aclaim was a highly promising sprinter last season who was very impressive at York’s Ebor meeting winning the listed City Of Walls Stakes in a canter and wasn’t disgraced on two subsequent efforts in higher grade. The two three year olds both hold decent chances with The Platinum Queen having a terrific first season culminating in winning the Prix de L’Abbaye at Longchamp against her elders. Owned then by Middleham Park Racing she was subsequently sold to Katsumi Yoshida for a staggering £1.2 million and transferred from Richard Fahey to Roger Varian and has to shoulder a 5lb penalty today. Dramatised also had an excellent first term winning the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and ending her season finishing runner up in the breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint with The Platinum Queen well behind. William Buick is booked and she looks the pick today although I do fear last season’s runner up Twilight Calls who loves the ground this fast and can be excused his re-appearance defeat on the grounds of the soft conditions that prevailed that day. Any one of the front four could take this but I’m with Dramatised for the in form Karl Burke stable.   DRAMATISED 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365   The Curragh 15:40 The Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas feature eleven three year old colts including the second and third from the English 2000 Guineas three weeks ago. Aiden O’Brien saddles three runners in a race that he’s won a staggering eleven times in the past. Ryan Moore presumably has had the pick and is on the progressive Paddington who was pushed out to win a listed race over course and distance last time following a handicap victory at Naas. Both of those wins were gained on soft ground and on different ground and upped in trip is quite easily passed over. You do feel if he wasn’t the O’Brien number one he would a much bigger price than his current price of around 4/1. O’Brien also sends out Cairo and Age Of Kings here but neither appeal. The race that should produce the winner today is the English 2000 Guineas from three weeks ago when Kevin Ryan’s Hi Royal, who went off at 125/1, had Paul & Oliver Cole’s Royal Scotsman half a length behind when runner up to Chaldean. That doesn’t tell half the story mind as the latter was lit up by clipping heels early on, running with the choke out and on the wrong side of where the winner and runner up came from. Royal Scotsman has decent two year old form on fast ground as a two year old and the younger half of the training duo sounded very confident earlier in the week talking up his chances. Jamie Spencer is not my favourite jockey but he’s capable and won this race for Charlie Hills back in 2019 and takes the reins today. He’s a confident selection.   ROYAL SCOTSMAN 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365   All odds were accurate at time of writing.  

A feast of top class action awaits us this afternoon with ITV showing ten races from four meetings. We have five from Haydock (good to firm ground), two from Goodwood (good), two from York (good to firm) plus the Irish 2000 Guineas from The Curragh (good). Here are my best racing tips to beat the bookies.   Haydock 13:15 Sorry did I say top class action? We kick off today with a class 5 0-75 handicap that looks totally out of place amongst the feast of superb action to come. Mind you a winners a winner and in the top weight Auld Toon Loon we have a worthy bet. Trained in Yorkshire by David O’Meara, who’s had a quiet start to the season so far although was in the winners enclosure with Trueman earlier in the week at Carlisle, he was well supported on his handicap debut at Wetherby 11 days ago when going down by half a length to Arch Moon in a slightly better grade handicap than todays. He has been shunted up 3lb for that run and is stepping up 2F to a mile and a half for the first time. This trip should suit and despite having to give weight away to his six rivals should be up to that as his opponents look either out of form or very modest.   AULD TOON LOON 2 points win @ 13/8 bet365   Goodwood 13:30 Just the seven assemble for this listed William Hill Festival Stakes run over 1M 2F. Joint best in at today’s weights are Roger Varian’s El Drama and John and Thady Gosden’s Francesco Clemente. Preference has to be for the latter who is still unbeaten in three starts as a three year old last season starting off with a comprehensive victory in the Wood Ditton and culminating with a ten length win in a handicap on the July course at the same racecourse in July. Not seen since but holding several top entries for the Summer and beyond including the Princess Of Wales, Hardwicke Stakes, Eclipse and Prix Arc de L’Triomphe he could be anything and with Rab Havlin in the saddle he’s taken to score on his re-appearance. Charlie Appleby’s King Of Conquest is chasing a hat trick having won handicaps in Bahrain and at Newmarket and rates as the biggest threat to the selection.   FRANCESCO CLEMENTE 1 point win @ 7/4 BetVictor   Haydock 13:50 Seven go to post for this 2M class 2 0-100 handicap. Reshoun heads the weights for Patrick Morris and although he’s back on a winning mark he’s nine years old now and may not be as good as he once was. His former trainer Ian William’s Law Of The Sea appeals as the most likely winner here having looked an unlucky loser in the Chester Cup last time out when coming home in fourth place only beaten just under two lengths. He was denied a clear run inside the last couple of furlongs when trapped on the rail under Franny Norton and is only a pound higher with William Buick booked to ride. The ground was soft that day and will be very different today but he’s shown as least as good form on fast ground throughout his career (5th, beaten 4L, in the 2021 Queens Vase at Ascot on good to firm) and is the selection here. Ralph Beckett’s Carzola is chasing a four timer but those three wins have come on the all-weather and soft turf ground so has to answer questions here on fast ground conditions. David Simcock’s Mountain Road is chasing a hat trick but we haven’t seen him on a racecourse for just under 200 days whilst Tony Martin brings Firstman over from his base in County Meath and has gone 127 days since his last flat win. Law Of The Sea is a confident selection to give William Buick yet another winner.   LAW OF THE SEA 2 points win @ 3/1 BetFred   Goodwood 14:05 An intriguing three year olds only 7F handicap where as always at Goodwood when racing around the bend the draw is very important with those drawn on or near the rails (low numbers) significantly better off. William Haggas’s Tafreej has to be in the shortlist from stall 2 having run well enough at Newbury last month whilst John & Thady Gosden’s Bresson is one to watch closely in the market on his handicap debut from stall 5. Yacowlef has been raised 6lb for his victory at Newmarket from Striking Star (runner up again since) and can run well for the father and son team of Paul and Oliver Cole who will no doubt be in attendance at The Curragh for the Irish 2000 Guineas today with their Guineas third Royal Scotsman. One horse who I feel is well handicapped is Tom Clover’s Seeking Gold. He bumped into Chaldean on his racecourse debut at Newbury last July prior to winning at Yarmouth the following month. He wasn’t disgraced in listed company on his next start whilst his final start in Group 2 company in France can be overlooked on account of the soft ground. He’s drawn stall one and can run very well although I would have liked to seen his trainer in better form having gone 40 days and 25 runs since his last winner but he has had a few hit the frame in the last fortnight including Rogue Millennium going down by half a length in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes at York. I’ll take a chance on him at the prices.   SEEKING GOLD 1 point each way @ 11/1 William Hill 1/5th 1234   Haydock 14:25 The Betfred Silver Bowl is a class 2 1M three year olds only handicap that usually produces a nice winner and is always worth following. John and Thady Gosden’s Covey heads the market on the back of impressive victories at Newmarket and Newcastle. This will be his first step into handicap company and a mark of 90 looks workable when you consider the connections we’re considering the Irish 2000 Guineas for him. Frankie Dettori gets the leg up and he’s my main selection. There are several other promising types in opposition including Peter Chapple-Hyam’s Defence Of Fort who’s always been highly thought of and makes his handicap debut also although we haven’t seen him for 211 days which is a bit of a concern. The fast ground is of concern for the Ed Bethell trained James McHenry whose two handicap victories this season (including over course and distance) have come with give in the ground. Top weight Killybegs Warrior starts out in handicaps off of a lofty mark of 102 but he’s kept some smart company so far in his career including when 6th, beaten 5 1/4L in the Dante Stakes over 10 1/2F at York recently. A drop back to a mile will suit and can run a nice race. Bottom weight Just Bring It is the other one I want on my side as he appeared to improve for a sounder surface when runner up in a Newmarket handicap a week ago when getting run down late on by Chelsea Green. Off of only a one pound higher mark he looks overpriced for a trainer Clive Cox who knows how to win this having won it twice in the last four years.   COVEY 2 points win @ 11/4 William Hill JUST BRING IT 1 point each way @ 14/1 1/5th 1234   York 14:40 A typical 5F sprint handicap for horses rated 0-105 for which fourteen have declared. The 5F handicap run at last week’s Dante meeting is the key piece of form here with Korker finishing runner up from Bedford Flyer in 3rd and Mondammej back in 4th and Alligator Alley, and Copper Knight further behind. Korker started slowly that day (as he has done before) and flashed home to be beaten 1/2L by Regional. With a cleaner break at the gate he can confirm that form and take this sprint handicap. Ruth Carr’s bottom weight Reigning Profit has been in good form of late but may prefer more ease in the ground whilst Nigel Tinkler’s Squealer is an interesting runner as despite a plum draw at Chester last time he patently failed to handle the soft ground and back on a sounder surface could run better. A tough race which has a ‘who’s turn is it today’ feel about it but if Karl Burke’s top weight Korker can start on terms with his rivals he could be the one to take this.   KORKER 1 point win @ 10/3 William Hill   Haydock 15:00 A cracker of a sprint is up next with the Group 2 6F Sandy Lane Stakes for three year olds only, a stepping stone to the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot next month with all eight competitors holding that entry. The stand out horse is Aiden O’Brien’s top juvenile from last season Little Big Bear who was impressive when routing his field in the Phoenix Stakes at The Curragh coming home 7L to the good. It all went wrong for him in the 2000 Guineas when upped in trip as he pulled too hard and clipping heels early on, finished lame. Dropped back to sprint trips he has to be given another chance but has been well found in the market. Frankie Dettori takes the ride with Ryan Moore on duty in Ireland. Kevin Ryan’s Cold Case is a progressive sort who kept on well to win the group 3 Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot with today’s rival Bradsell 1 1/2L back in third. That was Bradsell’s first run since a bad injury in the Phoenix Stakes last season and he looked all over the winner until presumably blowing up inside the final furlong. It wouldn’t surprise me if Archie Watson’s likeable three year old turns the tables on Cold Case and he’s the selection here. Matilda Picotte, trained in Ireland by Kieran Cotter, ran third in the 1000 Guineas and is, like the favourite here, dropping in trip. She does though have 20lb to find with Little Big Bear. A fascinating race with Royal Ascot’s Commonwealth Cup on the horizon and I’ll take a chance with Bradsell to shock Little Big Bear under Hollie Doyle.   BRADSELL 1 point win @ 7/2 bet365   York 15:15 Nine fillies and mares aged four year olds and older line up for the Group 3 William Hill Brontë Cup Fillies Stakes for which we have a very warm favourite in the John and Thady Gosden trained four year old Mimikyu who has to shoulder a 5lb penalty for her Group 2 Park Hill Stakes win at Doncaster last September. That’s easily the best form on offer here and she will be hard to beat under Kieran O’Neill although she’s never actually raced on ground as fast as it will be this afternoon. On official ratings, even with her penalty, she’s 10lb ahead of her opponents and it’s hard to find one to trouble her here. Ralph Beckett’s River Of Stars was over 12L behind the favourite when last seen and there’s no reason to believe she can turn the tables so a bigger threat may well be the William Haggas improver Sea Flawless although this is a big step up in grade for her and is officially 20lb behind behind Mimikyu who’s been working with the stable’s Oaks fancy Soul Sister on the Newmarket gallops and has to be the pick.   MIMIKYU 1 point win @ 5/4 William Hill   Haydock 15:30 Fourteen speedsters line up for the Group 2 5F Betfred Temple Stakes. It has quite an open look about it this year with the front four in the market looking to dominate. James Tate’s Royal Aclaim was a highly promising sprinter last season who was very impressive at York’s Ebor meeting winning the listed City Of Walls Stakes in a canter and wasn’t disgraced on two subsequent efforts in higher grade. The two three year olds both hold decent chances with The Platinum Queen having a terrific first season culminating in winning the Prix de L’Abbaye at Longchamp against her elders. Owned then by Middleham Park Racing she was subsequently sold to Katsumi Yoshida for a staggering £1.2 million and transferred from Richard Fahey to Roger Varian and has to shoulder a 5lb penalty today. Dramatised also had an excellent first term winning the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and ending her season finishing runner up in the breeders Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint with The Platinum Queen well behind. William Buick is booked and she looks the pick today although I do fear last season’s runner up Twilight Calls who loves the ground this fast and can be excused his re-appearance defeat on the grounds of the soft conditions that prevailed that day. Any one of the front four could take this but I’m with Dramatised for the in form Karl Burke stable.   DRAMATISED 1 point each way @ 5/1 bet365   The Curragh 15:40 The Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas feature eleven three year old colts including the second and third from the English 2000 Guineas three weeks ago. Aiden O’Brien saddles three runners in a race that he’s won a staggering eleven times in the past. Ryan Moore presumably has had the pick and is on the progressive Paddington who was pushed out to win a listed race over course and distance last time following a handicap victory at Naas. Both of those wins were gained on soft ground and on different ground and upped in trip is quite easily passed over. You do feel if he wasn’t the O’Brien number one he would a much bigger price than his current price of around 4/1. O’Brien also sends out Cairo and Age Of Kings here but neither appeal. The race that should produce the winner today is the English 2000 Guineas from three weeks ago when Kevin Ryan’s Hi Royal, who went off at 125/1, had Paul & Oliver Cole’s Royal Scotsman half a length behind when runner up to Chaldean. That doesn’t tell half the story mind as the latter was lit up by clipping heels early on, running with the choke out and on the wrong side of where the winner and runner up came from. Royal Scotsman has decent two year old form on fast ground as a two year old and the younger half of the training duo sounded very confident earlier in the week talking up his chances. Jamie Spencer is not my favourite jockey but he’s capable and won this race for Charlie Hills back in 2019 and takes the reins today. He’s a confident selection.   ROYAL SCOTSMAN 2 points win @ 2/1 bet365   All odds were accurate at time of writing.