Eight races will be broadcast on ITV on Saturday, but these are not just any race as all the action is coming from Epsom on Derby day.
The spotlight will be on jockey Frankie Dettori as he prepares to ride in his final Derby, and his charge Arrest is now the 3/1 favourite for the big one after the jockey legend won the Coronation Cup on Emily Upjohn as well as the Oaks on Soul Sister on Friday.
After winning both Groups 1s on Friday, it may take a special performance to stop Dettori from bowing out in style on Saturday afternoon.
As usual, Betfred have punters covered thanks to their “Extra Place” promotion, and we have picked out a bet per race for Saturday’s Epsom card.
Epsom
- 12:50 The Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3) 1m 1⁄2 f
- 13:30 The Betfred Derby (Group 1) – BCS 1M 4f
- 14:10 The Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3) 1m 1⁄2 f
- 14:45 The 3YO Dash (Handicap) 5f
- 15:20 The Dash – Heritage Handicap 5f
- 15:55 The Ebbisham Handicap EBBISHAM HANDICAP 1m 2f
- 16:30 The Northern Dancer Handicap 1m 4f
- 17:05 The JRA Tokyo Handicap 6F
Six runners are expected to compete for the Betfred Diamond Stakes in race one, but preference is for Kolsai.
Favourite Highland Avenue (5/4) has improved of late, but Kolsai looks to have the pedigree needed for this race.
Roger Varian’s runner has yet to finish outside the top two under rules, and the one-mile trip should be no issue for the three-year-old.
Two second-placed finishes this year suggest a big run is on the horizon, so why can’t it come on Saturday on the big stage?
Selection – Kolsai to win @ 3/1
Betfred will pay up to four races in the Group 1 Derby, and Dubai Mile can give readers a run for their money at a big price.
Some have questioned Dubai Mile’s stamina, but he finished fifth in the 2000 Guineas, having looked outpaced.
He also won the Criterium de Saint-Cloud over 1m 2f in October last year ahead of favourite Arrest, so it is worth taking a chance at the prices.
Selection – Dubai Mile @ 18/1
The formbook suggests Prosperous Voyage is the one to beat in the third race of the day, and her previous poor run at Newmarket should be ignored due to the soft ground.
While Ralph Beckett’s runner has not won since July, she has the stamina needed to win this contest, and it is hard to overlook her pedigree.
Selection – Prosperous Voyage @ 5/4
Adrian Nicholls and his team will fancy their chances of an Epsom winner with Can To Can, who bolted up last time out.
The three-year-old won by five lengths at Newcastle after the fitting of first-time blinkers, and the daughter of Kodiac may have more in the locker.
Selection – Can To Can @ 15/2
Even though he finished fifth at York last time out, Clarendon House caught the eye on the Knavesmire.
He travelled well, and more is expected on his second appearance of the season. Clarendon House might not have won since June 2022, but Saturday’s race should suit him down to the ground.
Selection – Clarendon House @ 15/2
After three races without a victory in 2022, Fox Journey burst into life last month with a superb display at Newmarket.
That looked like a performance from a horse that has more in the locker, and a 9lb rise may not be enough to stop Sir Michael Stoute’s charge.
Selection – Fox Journey @ 9/2
David Menuisier’s Caius Chorister was last in action at Epsom in April, and after finishing second, we expect the four-year-old to go one better this time around.
A step back up in trip should provide further improvement, while the booking of Ryan Moore could be the difference in a competitive contest.
Selection – Caius Chorister @ 5/2
This is another competitive battle, so we have turned our attention to last year’s winner.
Mr Wagyu has had a slow start to the campaign under trainer John Quinn, but he is slowly improving and Quinn will no doubt have his runner firing on all cylinders for one of his main targets of the season.
Selection – Mr Wagyu @ 7/2
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