Epsom Derby Day

'Was' won the Oaks yesterday for Aidan O'Brien and Seamie Heffernan, but I have no doubt on that if the race was re-run on a flat track she wouldnt have won. That said she did win the oaks and must be respected for it. Vow, The Fugue and Maybe all hated the track and William Buick's mount was luckless in running when caught on heels numerous times. Vow hung down the camber the whole time down the home straight and should be better next time out.

As for the selections yesterday, it was nice to get a good priced double 42/1 in with Side Glance and Highland Knight. Personally for me it was great to see Side Glance winning as it is one I have been following for some time now. Highland Knight ran exactly the race I expected him to and looks one to stick with for the season after being so game in the finish.

Onto today and some strong selections for Derby Day.

1:35 - Epsom - Grandeur - He won at Goodwood last week in very good style going away to win by 2 and a quarter lengths. A slight step up in trip today but that will be no bother at all and the 4/1 price right now seems very overpriced. He has shown a love for fast ground and more importantly a distinct love for undulating tracks, he has won at Goodwood and at Brighton. The latter being one of the most demanding tracks in the world, let alone in England. He has been raised 8 pounds for his win last time out, but that shouldn't be too much of a burden after the style of his last win. One final point is that you must take note whenever William Buick rides for Jeremy Noseda, Mr Buick is in particularly good form as of late also.

2:05 - Epsom - Chilworth Icon - One thing is for sure in this 6 furlong race, that there will be a lot of pace on the cards today. Mick Channon's Colt just gets the vote here in a very hot contest. His one race on the turf resulted in a win, in good style at that. He ran a blinder last time out on the fibresand at Kempton behind Lyric Ace who is expected to rise to the very top level. The selection is also entered into a listed contest at Naas on Monday. The order of the day yesterday seemed to be front runners (except gatewood), in his only win he did it from the front but will need to be better out of the stalls today. Like I say this is a very tight race and Chilworth Icon was only just the selection ahead of liber. Mick Channon's yard are in fine form just now and Martin Harley is on a high after riding his first classic winner aboard Samitar.

2:40 - Epsom - Masked Marvel - He clearly needed the run first time up on very unfavourable ground at Newmarket. This will be more of a stamina test today which will be firmly in the John Gosden trained colts favour after last time it turned into a bit of a dash. Since his victory in the St. Leger last year he has been defeated twice but his entry in the Arc was never a good idea and he finished dead last. Robin Hood will be cutting out the early pace in an attempt to set it up for St. Nicholas Abbey who comes with his troubles. If he has an off day I fully expect the selection to take advantage of that. Just a silly thought that I am willing to be jeered for is the suggestion that Robin Hood could stick around long enough for a place, and it wouldn't be the biggest surprise in the world to see him steal it and win from the front. Worth a speculative 50p each way, most probably a better horse than his rating suggests of 97. (line up to laugh at me)

3:15 - Epsom - Judge 'N Jury - He won for me last time out at York when doing it all from the front and holding off stable mate Secret Witness. He seemed to have a lot in hand over the rest of the field as nothing but the runner up was really closing on him. I have already stressed the importance of a front runner on this course from yesterday's form. He would have a 4 pound penalty to carry but the very talented Darren Edward Egan takes off that penalty and an extra pound. He has ridden this horse twice and is yet to be unplaced aboard him finishing 2nd and 1st. His first run this year was completely against him in a sense that the ground was bottomless and his fitness gave out. He only has one run to his name at this course and he showed a liking for it when finishing 4th (denied third on the line). Should be thereabouts again.

4:00 - Epsom - Cavaleiro - Admittedly a bit of a speculative shout but really the others are only playing for place claims behind Camelot in my opinion. Marcus Tregoning's colt is one of the most experienced in the race but is still the lowest rated in the field as well. Hayley Turner also has her first ride in the Derby and is only the 2nd female rider in the Derby ever. He stayed on pretty well in the Derby trial at Lingfield but Main Sequence and Shantaram had already flown and he was looked after from then on in. He won a competitive race at Newbury in very game fashion at Newbury last year and he will come on a bundle for the run at Lingfield. Putting my neck on the line a bit with this next remark. Bonfire and Main Sequence will not place. A simple reason for the first mentioned in that he is a live wire and the atmosphere will most probably get to him tomorrow. As for the latter, he is unbeaten and has beaten the selection already today, but id have doubts about him handling the course too well.

4:50 - Epsom - Oceanway - A horse that never seems to stop running and is as tough as they come. He has been waiting for the faster ground this year which he finally gets today, one bonus from the fact he has been on unfavourable going is he is now at a winable mark. His last run was off a mark of 93 and today runs off of 91 which puts him right into the mix. Silvestre De Sousa is a notable jockey booking for his ex boss and Oceanway is taken to return to winning ways today.

lets hope to carry on the good form into today with some more winners. Happy Punting

Epsom Oaks Day 2012

Last Saturday wasnt a bad day by any stretch of the imagination with Cay Verde and Grandeur going in for us. Unfortunately it went downhill from then on but Fiorente and Qahriman finished second with only Shahzan being unplaced on the day.

I must stress that it is a very disappointing turn out for the Derby this year with my fancy Imperial Monarch opting to go for the French Derby on Sunday. It would seem that Camelot has scared away most of the worthwhile competitors. Bonfire and Main Sequence remain in the mix up. Onto today.

1:40 - Epsom - Barefoot Lady - She bounced right back to form with a good fourth behind Izzi Top at York.  This is a much weaker race than her last outing and I fully expect her to take all the beating today. Tony Hamilton has been riding out of his skin since being given the chance to fill in Paul Hanagan's shoes as Richard Fahey's number one. The stable has just started to hit some form in the last few days. This fast ground should bring out even more improvement in Barefoot Lady who had some very strong 3 year old form. That includes a victory in the Nell Gwyn and a good fifth in the 1000 Guineas, a return to that will see her win this and she looks the value here.

2:15 - Epsom - Ramona Chase - I like to call this horse Mr consistent as he never fails to run a bad race. A return to faster ground last time ended up in a win at Windsor, before that he ran a good fifth in very testing ground at this course. He effectively runs off a one pound higher mark today with Mark Coumbe taking 5 pounds off his back, that all but cancels out his 6 pound penalty. He is a course and distance winner which is crucial at a course like Epsom, at 16/1 he is a fantastic each way bet who will be rattling down the outside late on.

2:50 - Epsom - Side Glance - Won a listed race at Ascot 2 years ago and looked to be a horse very much on the up. Since then he has disappointed a little. Worthadd admittedly will be a very tough rival to beat but upped slightly in trip if he handles the course then he could upset the favourite. Jimmy Fortune gets on particularly well with the horse and he could just steal it coming out of Tattenham Corner today. Tentative selection.

3:25 - Epsom - Highland Knight -  Lowered two pounds since his last run when he failed to land a blow, excuses can be made for that, the most important one being that he doesn't enjoy softer ground. He also couldn't get to the front end of the field which is where he enjoys to run. This return to faster ground will see him improve no end. He has been tried at the top level, most notably when being beat 5 3/4 lengths by Dick Turpin. He should be able to boss the race tomorrow and they may not be able to pass him, a very strong each way bet.

4:05 - Epsom - Vow - She was oddly impressive whilst being very green when winning the Oaks trial at Lingfield. She showed a devastating turn of foot at the top of the straight and despite hanging towards the stand side rail still won well. There is little chance of her hanging today as to be quite frank no horses hang up the hill at Epsom. She should be able to show her turn of foot turning out of Tattenham Corner and it would take a very good horse to catch her.

4:05 - Epsom - BetterBetterBetter - An outside chance here today after getting bogged down at Chester, She was caught on the line last time when kicking on early doors. She should have no problem in getting home on this ground at this course and there would be no surprises were she to run into a place. Generally being backed in (night before) as first shows of 16/1 are coming through. She is now a best priced 20/1.

I hope that this brings some winners to everyone today and that we can do over the bookies on day one of Epsom. As always Happy Punting.