THE 2024 Epsom Derby looks one of the most open for years and the Derby draw only added to the intrigue as favourite City Of Troy was announced as being drawn in stall 1.
City Of Troy Unibet 3/1 is trying to revive his reputation and stall 1 has traditionally been a very difficult draw, though Adayar won in 2021 to be the only winner from stall one or two this century.
At the time of writing on Thursday evening the ground is good to soft with the forecast for a couple of millimetres on Friday and a dry day on Derby Day.
Ambiente Friendly Unibet 11/2 was brilliant in the Lingfield Derby Trial and will certainly handle the track, though there have been concerns about the going for him as he likes good ground. Voyage Unibet 16/1, for Unibet Ambassador Richard Hannon, has only had one career appearance in April of this year when winning so easily at Newbury and looking like he had untapped potential. He has had a racecourse gallop at Epsom, which went really well.
It is worth remembering in an open Derby year that there have been four winners priced at 10/1 and above in the last ten years.
Looking forward to presenting at Epsom.
Enjoy whether on the Epsom Downs or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers
The Wine Tipster
2:35 Epsom – Diomed Stakes Group 3 (1m ½f)
Regal Reality won this last year and looks to have been brought along with another crack at the race in mind. A solid fourth on his reappearance in the Earl of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket, he was expected to try and jump out and make all in the Huxley Stakes at Chester last time but a slow start put paid to that, and Plan B, namely try and ride him for the best placing possible at that point, seemed to be put into action. Regal Reality finished third and he still gave the impression of still being in form. Indeed consistency has been very much the watchword with Regal Reality over the past twelve months, and he can gain a deserved victory.
Unibet are BOOSTING the price of Silver Sword n this race!
3:10 Epsom – 3YO “Dash” Handicap (5f)
Grandlad was not seen as a juvenile, though he’s improved on each of his four starts this term, winning his last two. There was a lot to like about the way he handled Goodwood’s cambers last time out, making all and having enough in the tank to hold off the improving runner-up Kiss And Run, the pair four lengths clear of anything else.
The handicapper has not been overly harsh in raising him 3lb for that, and this speedy sort drawn in stall 11 can go up the middle of the track to make all at the distance that shows his best form.
3:40 Epsom – Aston Martin “Dash” Handicap (5f)
Looking For Lynda has a potentially good draw to work from in stall 1, based on historical evidence with 2019 winner Ornate drawn in stall 2, and this consistent sort can get his head back in front at a track he’s already proven himself at.
He handled the cambers well when second to Night On Earth here in April and with that rival now finding himself 4lb out of the handicap today, there’s every chance he’ll reverse that form. As he should with Clarendon House, who beat him at York in a strong event last time out, with both softer ground and the draw in his favour.
4:30 Epsom – Derby Group 1 (1m 4f)
Los Angeles is the unbeaten son of Derby winner Camelot and his most recent success was in the Derby Trail at Leopardstown when beating his stablemate Euphoric by a length. He took the lead from a furlong out and was only going better the further they went. He may not be as flashy as some of the others in the field, yet he looks one of the few to really stay and will thrive up at the Derby trip.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!
Macduff really looks the type to step up after considerably after his second to Arabian Crown at Sandown in their Classic Trial at the end of April. Arabian Crown had first run that day and you had to like the attitude of Macduff, who is by Sea The Stars, in the way he kept to the task giving every indication that the challenges of Epsom will suit him. He looks sure to get the trip and the step up in distance can only be in his favour.
Sadedaty Sadaty is worth a small each way bet. His owner who seems to specialise in getting big-priced runners in the frame for this race (Khalifa Sat, Hoo Ya Mal) and makes appeal.
He’s been steadily improving with each start, clocking good speed figures in the process, and being a half-brother to a couple that both won over 1m4f, this step up in trip should suit him well. He seemed to handle Epsom well enough on his run here last October.
5.50 Epsom – JRA Tokoyo Trophy Handicap (6f)
Apollo One (nap) a regular in my Unibet blog was second in this race last year and can go one better this time to take the handicap victory he so deserves. He was runner-up in the Wokingham and Stewards’ Cup last season, and he was a good second to Desert Cop at Newmarket on seasonal debut when marked up in my Unibet blog.
Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!
The Wine Tipster’s Treble
Another cracking day of racing in store, with The Derby just one of a number of thrilling races in store.
Roll these each-way picks from our red-hot tipster into a treble and the drinks really may well be on you! Add to your betslip, hit the ACCA BOOST option and £10 to win potentially returns over £3,300 from £3,010) if they come in! Of course, it’s a punchy long shot, but…Click the image below to add to your betslip!
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