The Oaks, the fillies’ equivalent of Saturday’s Derby Stakes, takes centre stage on Epsom’s Friday card with the nine declared looking for Classic glory. Aiden O’Brien’s Minding has already tasted it when running away with the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, but she met defeat in the Irish version two weeks ago…
0.5pt EW Sennockian Star @14/1, 14:35 Epsom Downs, Friday
Dark Red goes in search of his fourth consecutive win with Ryan Moore aboard the saddle in the opening handicap of the Epsom Classic weekend. Ed Dunlop has got a highly progressive four-year-old on his hands, and there could be more to come despite a 20lb rise for his three…
1pt win Across The Stars @33/1, Epsom Derby, Saturday 4th June
Saturday’s Investec Derby Stakes at Epsom looks wide open this year, with Guineas winner Galileo Gold not running and nothing from Ballydoyle hyped to the level of their previous winners – they’ve won three of the past four renewals. Bookmakers are already offering non-runner-no-bet and I’ve been tempted to side…
1pt win Predominance @9/2, 14:50 Chester, Saturday
PREDOMINANCE went off a 6/1 favourite of the Victoria Cup, finishing rather disappointingly in mid-division. The ground may have been a bit quick for him on that occasion as he looked better than the bare result. His striking performance at Haydock in his previous run is one still to note,…
1pt win Buratino @11/2, 0.5pt win Taneen @33/1, 15:45 Haydock, Saturday
It’s been a dry night at Haydock with a sunny day ahead, so with the going upgraded to ‘good’ this morning things should quicken up ahead of the Group Two sprint at 15:10. Gifted Master sets the bar high after five consecutive wins, so the gelding arrives in top form…
1pt win Cymric @9/1, 19:10 Sandown, Thursday
There’s a meet at Sandown this evening and CYMRIC looks overpriced at 9/1. He was an excellent second on quick ground in Group One company on Arc day at Longchamp last season, when totally overlooked by the market at 25/1. We’ve not seen the winner of that race, Ultra, since, but a length…
1pt win Vadamos @6/1, 13:50 Chantilly, Tuesday
There’s Group One action in France today in a hot renewal of the Prix D’ispahan, this year run at Chantilly as its usual home of Longchamp is being redeveloped. Arc-third New Bay makes his seasonal return and looks the class horse in the race, but trainer Andre Fabre has sounded…
1pt win Simonsig @5/1, 1pt win Zubayr @6/1, Auteuil, Saturday
The jumps season may have ended and most of its stars put away until autumn, but Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls all have runners in France today at Auteuil The Grade 2 La Barka Hurdle went to a British raider last year in Ballnagour, who has another go for David…
2pts win Galileo Gold @15/8, 17:40 Curragh, Saturday
GALILEO GOLD romped home to win the British 2000 Guineas on his seasonal début at Newmarket, with the odds-on and much-hyped Air Force Blue beating just one home. They renew rivalries in the Irish 2000 Guineas today and, such are the training talents of Aidan O’Brien, it’s no surprise to see the bookmakers…
0.75pt each-way Aeolus @28/1, 16:10 Haydock, Saturday
We’re spoilt for choice with this hot renewal of the Group Two Temple Stakes at Haydock, which looks well up to Group-One class. Overnight rain has forced the withdrawal of several big names, such as multiple-Group One winners Sole Power and Goldream, but it’s given the Nunthorpe winner Mecca’s Angel a…