THIS is an intriguing Derby with Auguste Rodin heading the market after his poor 2,000 Guineas performance, with Aidan 0’Brien sounding very confident about his charge, who heads the market currently. His main rival is Military Order who definitely ticks the most boxes and is my fancy here for the Charlie Appleby team. What makes this renewal so intriguing is the trials, with many being run on testing conditions and with a Dante that saw many of the runners finishing close together so this doesn’t look the strongest indicator of a winner here. Sprewell impressed in Ireland in the Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown, albeit in soft ground, yet he was the eye catcher and would be a very popular winner, as trainer Jessica Harrington who has been battling cancer over the last eight months.

It is going to be a fascinating Derby and we can look forward to a sunny Epsom on a top day of racing.

Enjoy whether watching #athome or watching on ITV Racing and Racing TV.

Cheers,

The Wine Tipster

1.30 Epsom – Derby Group 1 (1m 4f) 

Military Order (nap) looks the standout contender and he can give Godolphin their third winner in six years. This full brother to the 2021 Derby winner Adayar is an equally impressive looking individual and you have to be taken in the way he took the Sandown Classic Trial and the Lingfield Derby Trial. It is worth noting the way he scooted around the tight turn at Lingfield when winning their Derby Trial, suggesting he won’t have a bother around Epsom. Military Order has the necessary speed and stamina and is the one to beat.

Unibet 4/1

Sprewell looks the each-way selection, having won the Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown over a mile and two furlongs by three lengths, when powering away in the style of a real progressive type with plenty in hand. This Churchill colt was stepping up from his seasonal debut and visually he impressed with his straightforward attitude. The point has been made that Sprewell hasn’t run on anything quicker that testing conditions, however his sire Churchill and dam Lahaleeb both won on quick ground, as well as being ground versatile enough too. Sprewell looks the type to thrive on this faster surface, he will stay the trip and run a big race.

Unibet 10/1 each way

Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!

2.10 Epsom – Princess Elizabeth Stakes Group 3 (1m ½f)

Astral Beau has really progressed this season in her two starts for her trainer Pam Sly. This has been influenced by a return to a mile after a couple of unsuccessful forays in 2022, as Astral Beau was a very convincing winner over this distance at York on seasonal debut when beating Brunch by four lengths in the heavy in a Listed race.  She then finished third to Via Sistina in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket when marked up each way in my Unibet blog. That was a really good performance at the home of flat racing, whilst Prosperous Voyage and Potapova have questions to answer currently. Astral Beau has won on good ground too and can take her first group success.

Unibet 6/1

3.20 Epsom – Aston Martin “Dash Handicap” (5f)

Ancient Times is a speedy individual, who was a winner here over 6f in August 2021 but has since demonstrated that a fast 5f shows him in an even better light. He ran well on reappearance, when well supported to score at Newmarket, when he led but faded late (low draw possibly counting against him) but that ought to have put him up just right for this. Kaiya Fraser is a quality apprentice (rode three winners for the Harry Eustace yard last week) and now takes a very useful 7lb off. Ancient Times is drawn in stall 16 and can attack up the near rail.

Unibet 8/1 each way

Mokaatil was fourth in the Dash last year and won this race in 2021. He certainly looked in need of the run on seasonal debut at Newmarket in April and will be so much sharper returning to Epsom. Mokaatil is more than capable of rewarding each way players in a race which is very much for specialists.

Unibet 9/1 each way

Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!

5.05 Epsom – JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap (6f)

Mr Wagyu is the obvious one in the last, having won this from a mark just 2lb lower than last year. His mark has dropped 5lb already this time around, as he badly needed his first two runs but was much better at York last week, when catching the eye behind Bielsa. He was not beaten far, and he was doing some good late work. Mr Wagyu always runs best once the sun starts to shine, with his June career form figures 2111346316111914 proving the point and has been ideally teed up to retain his crown.

Unibet 5/1

Unibet are paying an EXTRA PLACE in this race!

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