Derby Day ITV Racing Tips
It doesn’t get any bigger than Derby Day for followers of the sport of kings and the blue riband Classic itself headlines our six ITV racing tips from Epsom.
A strong supporting card includes the Group One Coronation Cup , a couple of Group Three contests and two tricky handicaps to get stuck into, so here are some selections for punters to consider:
Epsom 13:30 Tip
13:30 TATTENHAM CORNER STAKES – ALCANTOR @ 7/2
The five-year-old won three times at this Group Three level when trained in France by Andre Fabre, was beaten just half a length in the French 2000 Guineas a couple of years ago and was only a length off Group One glory in the Prix du Moulin last season.
Alcantor’s first start for Joseph O’Brien at Leopardstown last month was not without promise and that should put him spot-on for this assignment.
Epsom 14:05 Tip
14:05 PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES – SHES PERFECT @ 3/1
The Charlie Fellowes-trained filly memorably passed the post in front in last year’s French 1000 Guineas before being demoted by the stewards, after which the French Oaks proved too much of a stamina test and she then suffered a season-ending injury.
Her comeback third at Goodwood five weeks ago suggested the ability remains intact and this looks a good opportunity for Shes Perfect to get a deserved Pattern race win to her name.
Epsom 14:40 Tip
14:40 COOLMORE CORONATION CUP – JAN BRUEGHEL @ 9/4
This event throws up a fascinating rematch between last year’s one-two in Jan Brueghel and Calandagan – and while the latter is unbeaten in five Group One starts since, the underfoot conditions and make-up of the race might just tip the scales in our selection’s favour again.
Calandagan was a hot favourite to avenge that defeat at the start of this week, but the rain has to be a worry for a horse whose biggest weapon is his speed and the Ballydoyle trio of Jan Brueghel, dual Derby hero Lambourn and likely pacesetter Illinois will ensure this is a demanding affair.
Jan Brueghel enjoyed an ideal preparation for the defence of his title with a comfortable win in Chester’s Ormonde Stakes and should prove a tough nut to crack.
Epsom 15:15 Tip
15:15 ‘DASH’ HANDICAP – KINSWOMAN @ 5/1
In a typically competitive renewal of this five-furlong contest, the vote goes to the William Haggas-trained four-year-old, who has finished in the first three in nine of her 10 races to date and ought to be heavily involved again.
Epsom 16:00 Tip
16:00 BETFRED DERBY – PIERRE BONNARD (NAP) @ 5/1
Aidan O’Brien has become the dominant player in the sport’s premier Classic, with nine of his 11 victories achieved in the last 14 years.
Chester Vase winner Benvenuto Cellini is regarded as the master of Ballydoyle’s chief hope this time around and is undoubtedly the one to beat.
However, Wings Of Eagles (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2019), Serpentine (2020) and last year’s victor Lambourn have all upset better fancied stablemates in recent years and Pierre Bonnard could be next in line.
It is not as though the son of 2012 Derby hero Camelot is coming from left field entirely. In fact, he was the winter favourite for the Derby after signing off his juvenile campaign with a Group One win in France.
Successive defeats this spring have dented his credentials, but his second run when narrowly beaten at Leopardstown was much better than his first and O’Brien has been steadfast in his belief that the best is yet to come from a horse who has been tenderly handled so far this year due to his physique.
If the ground was quick, Benvenuto Cellini would probably have too much class, but with the rain having arrived in recent days, it is no great surprise the money has come for Pierre Bonnard and he might be about to come of age over what will be a testing mile and a half.
Epsom 16:40 Tip
16:40 LESTER PIGGOTT HANDICAP – PENDELLA @ 9/1
Promising apprentice Jack Nicholls takes a handy 5lb off Karl Burke’s three-year-old, who travels south following a couple of encouraging efforts at York and could find this sharper 10 furlongs more to her liking.
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