British Flat racing’s blue riband event always attracts huge attention and we’re posting our Epsom Derby tips for punters to consider.
Serpentine sprang a 25/1 surprise last year, Masar was a 16/1 stunner in 2018 and Wings Of Eagles belied his 40/1 price the previous season, so upsets can happen in the world’s most famous Classic.
However, we’ve focused on the leading contenders from the Epsom Derby odds for clues on which colt will claim glory this term.
BOLSHOI BALLET
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien
Form figures: 315-11
Having had as many as 10 entries lined up to travel across the Irish Sea, Ballydoyle maestro O’Brien relies on just this one contender as he seeks a record ninth win in the race.
Bolshoi Ballet has followed a tried and trusted path to Classic success, landing warm-up victories in the Ballysax Stakes and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown.
Another impressive🤩 winner of the @IrishEBF_ colts maiden for @Ballydoyle & Seamie Heffernan as Bolshoi Ballet🩰makes all to win by 4 lengths 👏
🌟by Galileo 👑
🌟 Full Brother to Southern France 🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/bF9XBdEJxj— Leopardstown RC (@LeopardstownRC) October 16, 2020
The way in which he pulled six lengths clear in the latter contest was ultra-impressive and earned him a rightful place at the head of the Epsom Derby betting.
It is the first time since 2004 O’Brien has saddled just one horse in the Derby, so this son of the great Galileo must have pleased connections in his recent home work, with the likes of High Definition, Sir Lamorak, Van Gogh, Kyprios and The Mediterranean all stepping aside.
[All odds correct at time of publication]
MOHAAFETH
Trainer: William Haggas
Form figures: 73-111
Would be an emotional winner following the death of owner Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, whose colours were carried to victory by Nashwan in 1989 and Erhaab five years earlier.
This son of Frankel has been slow to mature but broke his duck at Lingfield in March and then landed a couple of Newmarket victories in encouraging fashion.
[All odds correct at time of publication]
JOHN LEEPER
Trainer: Ed Dunlop
Form figures: 4-11
Named after the trainer’s father, who saddled two Derby winners during his illustrious career, and is out of 2010 Oaks star Snow Fairy, so the omens always looked good for him being a talented performer.
Another late developer but made quite an impression when staying on strongly to score at HQ last month and surely has the scope for lots more improvement.
[All odds correct at time of publication]
MAC SWINEY
Trainer: Jim Bolger
Form figures: 181-41
There are no concerns about a lack of experience here, as this Emerald Isle raider put in a professional performance to score in the Group One Futurity at Doncaster in the last of his six outings as a juvenile.
Kevin Manning reacts after Group 1 victory with Mac Swiney in the Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes!
Watch LIVE
📺 @ITV4
📱 https://t.co/HGM9TtXkhB#itvracing pic.twitter.com/e83aLnCjKy— ITV Racing (@itvracing) October 24, 2020
Disappointed behind Bolshoi Ballet in the Derrinstown on his three-year-old debut but bounced back to form when battling on bravely from the front to edge out 2,000 Guineas-winning stablemate Poetic Flare in the Irish equivalent.
[All odds correct at time of publication]
HURRICANE LANE
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Form figures: 1-11
Made it three wins from three starts when plugging on to beat Megallan and High Definition in the Dante at York after looking outpaced at one stage in that famed Derby trial.
Another son of Frankel, there is no reason why having to travel an extra couple of furlongs here shouldn’t play to his strengths and will be an each-way fancy in many Epsom Derby tips.
[All odds correct at time of publication]
VERDICT
O’Brien usually goes into this race mob-handed and has often struck with one of his lesser-fancied runners, so the fact that he is prepared to put all of his faith in BOLSHOI BALLET is hard to ignore. With several of his main rivals still looking far from the finished article, he gets a confident vote to take control of proceedings down the home straight.
[All odds correct at time of publication]
Loading...