Epsom Derby & Oaks Previews
This weekend sees the Epsom Derby and Oaks take place. Rather than the traditional two-day meeting at the course, we have one combined day to look forward to, with seven races including a Group Three and a Listed contest to act as support to the main two Group One events.
We have a different feel to things this season, with a couple of the notable trial races actually taking place after this weekend, though we have seen enough from the main challenger.
Epsom Derby Preview
Much of the build up to this race has been surrounding the decision to put Frankie Dettori aboard English King, jocking off Tom Marquand who has a perfect two from two record on him.
He is favourite for the race after his win in the Lingfield Derby Trial, and rightfully so in our eyes. The performance showed that he relishes this sort of trip, while he came away from the field in the style of a very nice horse.
Aidan O’Brien is expected to throw many darts at the race, though he seems to lack a genuine star and will probably have three or four lively outsiders rather than anything else. Kameko is likely to catch the eye, already having won a classic, but there has to be huge doubts over his staying power, he may prove to be the best in the race but not the best over 1m4f.
With that in mind, and a muddled picture from the O’Brien yard, English King is the stand out here and is the main selection.
Royal Ascot winner Pyledriver may be an each way outsider worth following in the race, he beat some fancied rivals at the Royal meeting and can go well here.
Epsom Oaks Preview
Love ran out an impressive winner of the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and has been kept away with this race in mind. Fans of hers say she won the race despite it being over a mile, and she will be better over even further. That could be the case, but an up and coming horse that will certainly get the distance is our pick.
Frankly Darling will have entered many notebooks when winning a Newcastle maiden on the first day after restart. She was touted as being special and took the rise into Group Two company in style by winning at Royal Ascot.
There could be more to come from her, she has shown the ability to get home over 1m4f and John Gosden and Frankie Dettori know how to handle these top fillies, they’ve had great success with them in the past.
Options away from the top two in the market are limited and while Love is certainly respected, Frankly Darling gets the nod from us.
Best Bets for Epsom
Classic Double
- English King to win the Derby @ 9/4 with SportingBet
- Frankly Darling to win the Oaks @ 7/4 with SportingBet
Derby EW Bet
- Pyledriver EW @ 16/1 with Bet365 (1/5 odds 3 places)
Horse Racing Betting Offer for the Epsom Derby
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Money back as a free bet if your horse is beaten by a head or less, up to £10.
How does it work?
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