EPSOM DOWNS

Unfortunately we aren’t represented in the Derby or Oaks but they both look very good races bearing in mind it’s not been the conventional route to the race for many runners. I was obviously impressed with Love in the 1000 Guineas and she looks as though she’ll be even better for the step up to a mile and a half in the Oaks so she looks a worthy favourite. That said, Frankly Darling is already a proven stayer and if the ground turns up soft, she could easily overturn Ryan’s mount. The Derby looks a wide open affair but Kameko has done nothing wrong and I’m surprised he’s not favourite. Aidan O’Brien is typically mob handed and I do know that Ryan Moore had a very difficult choice but opted for Mogul in the end so I’d expect plenty of improvement to come from his Ascot run.

What will win The Derby at Epsom on Saturday?

Trainer Richard Hannon shares who he fancies to win the race pic.twitter.com/DYAuxwNF0B

— Unibet Racing (@UnibetRacing) July 2, 2020

 

2:25 Listed Surrey Stakes

Oh This Is Us (Ryan Moore)

He was second in the Diomed last year and third a couple of years before that so he’s got unfinished business at the track but at least we know he handles the course and he ran very well on his first start of the season at Newmarket last time. He’s a very tough and consistent horse and I see no reason why he cant feature very prominently.

 

4:15 G3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes

Cloak Of Spirits (Andrea Atzeni)

She didn’t help her chances by pulling too hard in the Coronation at Ascot and the going would have been plenty soft enough as I think she’s a proper top of the ground filly. This track should suit as she’s got plenty of tactical speed and if Andrea can get her to relax she’d have a serious chance.

 

5:55 Handicap

Magical Wish (Thore Hammer Hansen)

He ran an ok race at Ascot last time without ever looking to land a blow but the return to 7 furlongs here will be much more in his favour and with Thore’s 5lbs claim, he’s effectively racing off 90 which would give him a solid chance in this on ground he should like.

 

HAYDOCK

2:05 Handicap

Top Class Angel (Rossa Ryan)

She ran an excellent race on her return at Newmarket two weeks ago and has come on a ton for it. She’s a versatile filly with a good attitude and I’ll be surprised if she isn’t capable of running a massive race.

 

3:15 Fillies’ Novice

Grande Rumore (Rossa Ryan)

I expect her to have improved a lot for her first run when she posted a very good effort to finish second on debut at Lingfield. The step up a mile will suit and she’d have to be one for any short list.

 

CHELMSFORD

4:35 Handicap

Intrepid Italian (Sean Levey)

He won easily at Lingfield last time and has very quickly worked his way up to a mark of 80 so has to continue improving, but I don’t see any reason why he can’t as his work has been good and he loves the All Weather. This is another step up the ladder but he’s in excellent form at home so has solid claims.

 

5:10 Novice Stakes

Arsonist (Sean Levey)

He’s been doing everything right at home and will definitely get further in time but this looks a good starting point and hopefully he can run well.

 

5:40 Handicap

King’s View (Sean Levey)

He was very disappointing last time having run very well on his first start of the season (and first since being gelded) so he’s not one to trust implicitly but this is a step down in class and both his efforts on the All Weather have been very good.

 

6:10 Fillies’ Handicap

Al Dawodiya (Sean Levey)

We made plenty of use of her last time at Newmarket and she ran very well but probably got caught ever so slightly flat footed when the quickened out of the dip and was headed on the line. We thought she was one of our best two year olds last year, therefore it’s disappointing she hasn’t managed to get her head in front yet but she’s got a good draw in one and fingers crossed she can finally get the job done here.

 

6:40 Fillies Listed

Billesdon Brook (Sean Levey)

She won this last year en-route to winning the Oak Tree at the Qatar Goodwood Festival and the G1 Sun Chariot at Newmarket so we’re hoping to follow the same path this time around! Both her runs this year have been very good and showed that she still retains plenty of ability so I’ll be extremely disappointed if she isn’t up to going extremely close.

 

7:40 Handicap

Arafi (Sean Levey)

She needed her first run badly at Windsor last time so I’d expect her to be much sharper here and she ran well here on debut. With likely improvement she shouldn’t be far away.

 

8:10 Novice Stakes

Cityzen Serg (Sean Levey)

He’s finished second on both runs to date and probably did a bit too much at Kempton two weeks ago so we’re dropping down a little bit in trip and will try and ride him slightly more cold. I’ve been happy with his wellbeing at home and he goes there with a very realistic chance.

 

YARMOUTH

6:55 Novice Stakes

Ventura Tormenta (Pat Dobbs)

We put him straight in at the deep end in the Norfolk at Ascot for his debut and while it was always going to be a very hard task, I was absolutely delighted with his run and he didn’t disgrace himself by any means. He’s always been a colt we’ve liked and this is obviously as massive drop down in grade so he’d have to be one of our best chances of the day stepping up to six furlongs.

 

7:25 Handicap

More Than A Prince (Pat Dobbs)

He ran at the time when a few of our were needing their first runs and this one fell into that category so he’ll be much fitter this time around and I think the return to a mile will help as well. He’s got to improve a little bit but he’s a very capable horse and should go well.