Back in February when we looked at the antepost prices, the Kentucky Derby betting odds were vastly different. Donativum was in the equation, Old Fashioned was the favourite and Dunkirk was into 16/1 from 33s.

Pioneerof The Nile and Chocolate Candy are both shorter prices, but our tip West Side Bernie (pictured) is still 40/1!

I recommend totebet.com for exotics, but let’s take a look to see if the British Bookies are still offering any value in the Kentucky Derby market:

11/4 I Want Revenge

I Want Revenge is very likely to be sent off as the favourite, after Quality Road pulled out due to foot problems. Jeff Mullins is ‘pretty satisfied’ with stall 13, as he hopes to be up there with the pace.

19 year old Joe Talamo rides the impressive winner of both the Wood Memorial and Gotham Stakes.

Mullins is still chasing his first win in a Triple Crown event, but I Want Revenge could be in the same class as last year’s favourite Big Brown. The jockey booking isn’t a negative, but at the prices I prefer West Side Bernie.

6/1 Dunkirk

Corals opened up there book by going 33/1 about the $3.7 million purchase Dunkirk. He is exceptionally well bred, but the last colt to win the Derby as an un-raced two year old was way back in 1882.

We’ve missed the fancy prices, by 6/1 still seems like a fair bet for the John Magnier-owned colt. He hasn’t won a stakes race, but he was a fair second to Quality Road in the Florida Derby, the race that Big Brown won before winning the first two legs of the Triple Crown.

The track was scraped that day, meaning that the surface was fast. If Quality Road lined up in the Derby, I’d back Dunkirk to reverse that form. Very strong candidate.

6/1 Pioneerof The Nile

The Pamplemousse was scratched from the Santa Anita Derby, so you can’t read into that form and back Pioneerof The Nile with any confidence. Not certain to handle the dirt and is a lazy horse. The second and third of that race both ran with credit: Chocolate Candy and Mr Hot Stuff. Garrett Gomez rides.

7/1 Friesan Fire

Has won his last three for trainer Larry Jones, who had last year’s second, Eight Belles. Won the Louisiana Derby by seven and a half lengths, but hasn’t been seen for seven weeks. The last Derby runner to win after a seven week break was Clyde Van Dusen in 1929.

The Louisiana win was over sloppy going, and with showers predicted, punters should keep on the right side of Friesan Fire.

Larry Jones insists that 2009 is his last Derby.

14/1 Chocolate Candy

Finished well in second to Pioneerof The Nile and is preferred at more than double the odds. He was only a length behind I Want Revenge in December and represents one of the West Coast’s best chances.

His sire was unbeaten in six starts and his Monday workout, five furlongs in 59.1s, suggests that the dirt surface won’t be an issue.

20/1 General Quarters

Claimed at Churchill Downs for only $20,000. He won the Blue Grass at Keeneland, but Hold Me Back can reverse the form of that race.

20/1 Desert Party

Second to Regal Ransom in the UAE Derby, but Frankie Dettori’s mount was sent off at 2/5. The colt was quiet after that reverse, but the Godolphin first string is back in form. 

Worldly Manner finished seventh for the stable ten years ago, but Saeed Bin Suroor is more confident this year. Like his stablemate, he may not stay the extra furlong.

25/1 Musket Man

Musket Man was an impressive winner of the Tampa Bay Derby and is sure to run a big race at a tasty price. He was picked up for $15,000 as a yearling and is now attracting some giant offers. I think he’s one to consider for your exactas. Eibar Coa rides.

25/1 Papa Clem

Beat Old Fashioned in the Arkansas Derby in great style and is a lively outsider that could place.

33/1 Advice

Another one trained by Todd Pletcher. Beat Square Eddie in the Coolmore Lexington Stakes but we like Dunkirk.

33/1 Hold Me Back

Three wins have come on the synthetic surface, but he has acted well over the dirt in training. Sired by Giant’s Causeway, so should improve with each race.

40/1 West Side Bernie

Ran two solid races from poor draws in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile and then in the Holy Bull Stakes. He also finished a creditable second to I Want Revenge in the Wood Memorial, and certainly wasn’t flattered – he had to race four wide on the home turn.

Work rider Stewart Elliott is on board, who won the Derby in 2004 on Smarty Jones. Rail draw is the only negative.

50/1 Mr Hot Stuff

Third in the Santa Anita Derby and won’t trouble the market leaders.

66/1 Summer Bird

Only three career starts, all on fast tracks. Pass.

100/1 Atomic Rain

Has only won a maiden and I think that owners George and Lori Hall have a great chance with West Side Bernie.

100/1 Flying Private

Needs to break quickly from Big Brown’s stall (20) to have any kind of chance. He is sired by a Derby winner and the trainer has won the Derby four times.

100/1 Join In The Dance

Todd Pletcher also has Dunkirk, but Join In The Dance is preferred to continue his record for having the last horse in each of the last three Derbys.

100/1 Mine That Bird

Fourth in the Sunland Derby – no chance.