The Epsom Derby was won last year by Jim Bolger´s New Approach and it looks as if the prize will be retained by Ireland in 2009. The first seven in the betting are Irish raiders, most representing Aidan O´Brien.
The classic will be run over 1m4f at the Epsom Downs racecourse this Saturday at 3.45pm – coverage on BBC1. This year marks the start of a five year sponsorship by Investec.
Ballydoyle may have six runners, but Corals go evens that Sea The Stars will be sent off favourite.
O´Brien is 1/2 to saddle the winner and a giant 40/1 to train the first five home. Not out of the question.
10/3 Sea The Stars
We weren´t sure whether to back him for the English or Irish 2000 Guineas. I then backed him at 20/1 for the Irish Classic with Ladbrokes, only for him to go and win at Newmarket cosily.
At the time, Sea The Stars was 10/1 for The Derby – generous given that he is by Cape Cross. He should be even better for the Newmarket success, and New Approach proved that the Guineas is still the best Derby trial.
The John Oxx trained colt has been well backed from 4/1 recently. Mick Kinane is almost 50 years old, but believes the horse will stay. Not a bad price.
4/1 Fame And Glory
Johnny Murtagh rides Rip, even though Fame And Glory won the Irish Derby Trial by five lengths last month. Mourayan was disappointing that day, so he didn´t beat much. Stamina assured but will he handle the track?
9/2 Rip Van Winkle
Every punter must respect the Johnny Murtagh choice – he very rarely gets in wrong in Group One company. He has a soft spot for Rip Van Winkle, who has caught the eye in both the Dewhurst and the 2000 Guineas.
His dam is by a sprinter, but he definitely stayed on well at Newmarket behind Sea The Stars. Should place, so consider for the forecasts.
7/1 Gan Amhras
Any rain would be a positive, but Kevin Manning still has another great chance at Derby glory. Solid third in the 2000 Guineas, but he is another contender by Galileo that should relish the step up in distance. A decent each way bet.
9/1 Black Bear Island
Three of the last five Derby winners won the Dante beforehand and Tartan Bearer finished second last year. He has some other form in the book, but wasn´t hugely impressive in the Dante. Not a price I want to take.
16/1 Masterofthehorse
Only won once and was beaten fair and square in the Chester Vase. At the prices you´d have to take Golden Sword for the value. Richard Hughes rides.
25/1 Age Of Aquarius
I rate Pat Smullen as a jockey, but Age Of Aquarius was made to work hard to land the odds at Lingfield last time out.
25/1 Kite Wood
I fancy that Godolphin won´t win a British Classic this year, but Kite Wood is the pick of their crop.
He showed much promise for Michael Jarvis, but was only fifth in this year´s Dante at York. He´ll come on for that, but he does tend to get warm before the race. If he drifts out I may stick a quid or two if I can get 33/1 or bigger.
Frankie Dettori is a safe pair of hands.
33/1 Crowded House
Drifted out to 2/1 in the Dante and ran a shocker. Connections didn´t think he´d need the run, so I don´t think that backers should really persevere with this one, even if 33s is a whopping price. Don´t put the house on Crowded, despite what you read in the tabloids this Saturday.
40/1 Golden Sword
Value for his 40/1(Ladbrokes) and not given enough credit for his Chester Vase success (25/1). Doesn´t need soft ground.
50/1 Montaff
Finished only a neck behind Age Of Aquarius in the Lingfield Derby trial, but will need to show even more improvement to get involved in this tougher contest.
50/1 South Easter
Neil Callan is getting tips from the great Lester Piggott for his first Derby, but South Easter won´t be the one to spoil the Irish parade. His sire, Galileo, won the Derby in 2001.
66/1 Debussy
Stayed on in the Chester Vase and has Epsom form which is a HUGE bonus. You would kick yourself if John Gosden won the Derby – he has been in terrific form this year. Jimmy Fortune could land this in the same colours as New Approach; there are worse each way punts out there.
Recommendation:
1. 66/1 Debussy (Must be backed each way, Ladbrokes)
2. 40/1 Golden Sword (Could be anything, cheeky punt here)
3. 25/1 Kite Wood (Try to find at least 33s before race)
bookies.com is your best bet for comparing Epsom odds:
