1:00 Epsom
The opener on Derby Day is the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, a Group 3 contest over the extended mile.
The one I like is ROYAL DRESS (9/2). A really consistent mare who brings a decent level of both recent form and course form to the table here. The course form was an unlucky third in this race last year, where, on another day, she arguably would have won. The recent form was a fine third in the Middleton Stakes at York on her return to action. She can build on that, and with William Buick taken the ride, I fancy her to go very well.
1:35 Epsom
Next up at 1:30 is the Group 3 Diomed Stakes, again over the extended mile.
The one for me is PERSICA (9/4). A progressive 3-year-old last season, which included a victory here at Epsom, which is a good place to start. She looks to improve for the winter, building on a promising seasonal debut to win the Earl Of Sefton Stakes at Newmarket well on his next start. I’m happy to put a line through his effort in the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes last time out. He did a lot of the donkey work out in front and was a touch keen. Back down in class, he can resume winning ways with Ryan Moore taking the reins.
2:10 Epsom
The 2:10 from Epsom is the trappy 3-year-old Epsom Dash over the speedy 5f trip.
I’ve landed on BLINKY (12/1) EW in this competitive affair. He’s all speed, which is obviously what you need, and from stall 17, hopefully, he can get close to the favoured stands rail. He won his first two starts for the yard earlier in the year and ran well at Chester last time out when finishing third despite a slow start. He needs to break better today, but if he does, I think he can hit the frame at least.
2:45 Epsom
The turn of the elders at 2:45 with the Epsom Dash Handicap again over the 5f course.
It is DEMOCRACY DILEMMA (10/1) NAP I like in this. The 2024 winner of the Beverley Bullet, which is a race of similar nature. He looks to have been aimed at this for an early season target. After a fine 2024, he showed at Haydock last week his usual electric pace early on before fading in the closing stages to finish 5th. That was a listed contest, so there was certainly no disgrace in finishing 5th. This is a drop in class, and that latest effort should have brought him on and at peak fitness for this contest. He did also finish second in this race last year, so brings course form to the table too. A lively contender for sure.
3:30 Epsom
The feature is, of course, the Group 1 Betfred Derby. A classic for the 3-year-old colts over the 1m4f trip.
It is PRIDE OF ARRAS (5/1) NB for me in here. The Dante winner on just his second career start, there was plenty to like for sure. Hailing from the Ralph Beckett yard, his horses have all needed their first outing, so for him to do what he did in the Dante is highly significant. He won more easily than the winning margin suggests to me, and he put that race to bed decisively, I thought. I don’t think the trip will be a concern, and he’s fully entitled to improve a bundle both mentally and physically for that Dante win. The track should hold no fears and 2 of his siblings have won here at Epsom. I’m surprised he’s not favourite.
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