Happy Friday folks, if you aren't at work today then lucky you, if you are then I hope you find a way of listening or watching the racing. I'm sure the boss isn't looking. The 2013 Derby meeting kicks off in style today with high class racing with the feature of course being the Investec Oaks. Last year Aidan O'Brien won his 3rd English classic of the year when Was sprung a surprise partnered by Seamie Heffernan. This year Seamie rides a horse with an equally exciting name when he partners Say again for his boss, Aidan O'Brien. Ralph Beckett trains the favourite however in Secret Gesture, the winner of Lingfield's Oaks Trial earlier in the month.
Backing up the card today is the Diomed Stakes which is a group three in which last year's high class three year old Gregorian is the likely favourite. The older girls get their chance in the first race on the card when they go to post for the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, also a Group 3. That race will be earmarked for the return of Frankie Dettori when he makes his comeback on board Beatrice Aurore, but I am sure you have heard enough of that story!
Without further stalling, lets begin today's action.
1:35 Epsom Downs - Ladys First
Richard Fahey's Filly has been ultra consistent for a long time now running only one bad race in her career when 6th of 7 behind Highland Knight. Last time out was her seasonal reappearance when she was 3rd, only a length and a quarter behind the exciting Dalkala from France. That was her first time tackling a trip further than a mile, she is dropped back in trip today to the extended mile, 1 mile and 114 yards, which is near enough half a furlong. Despite that being a good run, she is still inclined to come on for that run and any improvement will surely see her close today. Two pieces of form late last season worth looking at are her runs behind Dank and Chigun, who are both group race winners this season. With further improvement possibly on the cards, in a competitive race Ladys First can win the opener to the Derby meeting. (15/2)
2:10 Epsom Downs - Area Fifty One
Dr Marwan Koukash can own his first 2013 Derby Meeting winner here with the course and distance winner Area Fifty One. Epsom is one of those weird courses in which your horse either runs well on it or absolutely hates it, major factors for this are Tattenham Corner and the steep camber in the home straight. But Area Fifty One proved he can handle the track well, but did hang down the camber a little late on hampering Vasily when winning a big handicap 2 outings ago. On his latest outing he ran a useful race at Chester when 4th to Sir John Hawkwood, but previous runs would suggest he doesn't handle Chester too well. So with that run easily forgotten and proven course form, Jamie Spencer can guide Area Fifty One home and make it a double for Richard Fahey. (8/1)
2:45 Epsom Downs - Gregorian
Gregorian was a fantastic three year old last year and is one of my horses to watch for this year after following him all last season. His reappearance saw him just get denied by Eton Forever in a good Listed race at Haydock, the closest rival was a further length and a quarter behind. It was only a matter of strides past the post until Gregorian had hit the front, but in the actual race he just ran out of time. Sensibly that performance now ensures he is stepped up in trip to the extended mile which will suit him much better. The only doubt you can have in your mind is whether he will handle Epsom, although I don't think that will be much of a problem for him. One for William Buick and John Gosden here with the ultimate professional Gregorian. (7/2)
3:20 Epsom Downs - Maverik
Maverik makes his first start for William Knight today after three good performances this year for Ralph Beckett including one win. His victory came off a mark 5 pounds lower than today, but showed he can still be competitive off today's mark of 92 when third last time out. Jim Crowley gets on particularly well with Maverik and was on board when he won very easily over course and distance last season. He handled the course fantastically that day and to this date it remains his only visit to Epsom, however it is a huge positive. In an ultra competitive race, the flashy Chestnut can take all the beating on stable debut. (8/1)
4:00 Epsom Downs - Secret Gesture
Jim Crowley can notch up a quick double here aboard the favourite Secret Gesture for Ralph Beckett. The Filly has only had three career starts, suffering defeat only on debut before going on to win at Newbury late last year. She shot on to the Oaks scene after she absolutely hacked up in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield, which is widely regarded as the best trial due to the nature of the course. She didn't even come off the bridle that day and while rain will help her case the conditions aren't too much of a worry for her. Since her Lingfield Procession she has been half bought by Qatar Racing and will run in the famous red colours today. Secret Gesture to win the Oaks for Ralph Beckett and Jim Crowley. Note the trainer won this with Look Here back in 2008 after running in the Lingfield Oaks Trial. (9/4)
4:45 Epsom Downs - Hasopop
Marco Botti looked to have a good horse on his hands last time when Hasopop won a big handicap over six furlongs when giving weight away all round. He was stuck against the rail that day and forced to wait until a furlong out before he was able to produce his effort. However when he did Dane O'Neill was rewarded for his patience with a strong turn of foot that would carry him to the front. Hasopop went on to score by a neck that day and although the race didn't really scream out for him to be upped in trip to 7 furlongs, it certainly wont be against him. Before that he put in a good effort against an exciting horse of Richard Hannon's in Ninjago who won very well. That run would suggest 7 furlongs would suit well. Hasopop can take all the beating here for Dane O'Neill and Marco Botti. (9/4)
5:20 Epsom Downs - Lancelot Du Lac
Ryan Moore is allowed to jump ship today from Sir Michael Stoute's fancied runner to ride for Dean Ivory who saddles Lancelot Du Lac. The colt by Shamardal finally came good last time but has been improving with each of his five runs to date. That was his first time in a handicap and has been risen 5 pounds for the success which still looks below him. On that run winning looked unlikely a furlong out with himself not being given a clear run by any stretch of the imagination. Ryan Moore remained cool headed though and weaved himself a gap before winning going away in fairly easy fashion, on that performance there is a lot more to come. Lancelot Du Lac can take the finale today. (7/2)
NAP - Gregorian
Nb - Secret Gesture
One last thing before we conclude today's blog, last week I put up a post with horses to follow over the coming months. Recently they have done well with the select few that have run, they have included an 11/4 winner and a 25/1 runner up. Today we have three runners, all three of them have a huge chance and are worth backing.
1:55 Market Rasen - Brother Scott (Nap) 2/1
2:45 Epsom - Gregorian (Nb) 7/2
4:55 Market Rasen - Sparkling Tara 12/1
Happy Punting today guys! Be lucky!
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