On Saturday afternoon Epsom hosts one of the most keenly anticipated racedays of the year in Britain as the sporting focus points at the Derby.
The one-and-a-half-mile journey around the famous Surrey Downs culminates with the turn around Tattenham Corner before straightening up and taking aim at racing immortality as the best three-year-olds of the year bid for a place in the history books.
The Derby (4.30) is the main event on Epsom's eight-race Saturday card (1.25-5.50) and Enda McElhinney has selected our best bets for the Classic, while also assessing some of the other key races on the card.
The Derby (Group 1, 1m4f)
A cracking Classic in prospect, with a field of 16 declared and a wide-open renewal on paper. City Of Troy was the star juvenile last season, sweeping all before him, but his comeback in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket four weeks ago was listless. The Justify colt, so precociously talented last season, has a point to prove.
His trainer, the incomparable Aidan O'Brien, believes he could be the 'most talented horse' he's ever sent to the Epsom Derby and – with the trainer having won the race a record nine times – that is some statement. Auguste Rodin overcame Guineas dejection to win this 12 months ago, and it would be foolish to dismiss City Of Troy following his Rowley Mile run. However, there look better-value alternative options.
O'Brien also saddles Los Angeles, an unbeaten Camelot colt who won a Group 1 in France last season and returned to land the Derby Trial at Leopardstown on his seasonal reappearance. He could be a key player.
Voyage (Richard Hannon) and Sayedaty Sadaty (Andrew Balding) represent yards that have hit the frame at big prices in recent times, while MacDuff has good trial form from Sandown in a race trainer Ralph Beckett has used to good effect with 2022 Derby runner-up Westover.
Ambiente Friendly was impressive in winning the Lingfield Trial, seemingly over-racing early on but finding plenty when the pressure was applied. If he can produce something similar, he could have a major say for James Fanshawe and Robert Havlin.
Dancing Gemini ran a cracker in the French Guineas, despite meeting traffic problems, to finish second. Roger Teal's challenger could well improve for this longer trip and, if he does, he should give Dylan McMonagle a fine spin in his maiden Derby ride.
The quirks of Epsom are likely to find out plenty of the runners – they always do – and so it should be recognised that BELLUM JUSTUM is the only course winner in the field. The Sea The Stars colt won the Blue Riband Trial at the course five weeks ago, powering through the line in the style of an improved 3YO colt.
His Newmarket maiden win last backend was strong form and the extra two furlongs on Saturday promises to suit. His win at Epsom has already worked out well and his trainer has saddled four runners to finish in the frame in the last five seasons. Oisin Murphy might just hand the Balding team the biggest prize of all on the day.
1.25 - Hong Kong Jockey Club Lester Piggott Handicap
It could be quite an afternoon for the Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy axis, with PORTSMOUTH fancied to get them off to a flyer in the Epsom opener over a mile and a quarter.
The Gleneagles gelding was a ready winner on his comeback over the extended-mile at this course in April, when a couple of next-time-out winners finished behind him. Portsmouth went to Goodwood soon after and, carrying a 6lb penalty on testing ground, he did well to finish second-best having raced with the choke out early on. This surface should be less of a challenge, based on the forecast going, and his new mark of 83 is within reach back at a course he clearly handles and with the former champion jockey back in his corner.
Handicap debutant Bubbles Wonky for Tim Easterby – with William Buick booked – is one to note in the market, while Peter Chapple-Hyam’s recent Sandown scorer Blake can improve still further now he is upped in trip.
2.00 - Princess Elizabeth Stakes
Oisin Murphy has another sound claim on Running Lion for the John & Thady Gosden team in the Fillies' & Mares' Group 3. She drops in class but was beaten, well held, in the Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on her comeback last month and that form has taken some knocks since. She could be a vulnerable market leader.
Sparks Fly has an incredible record of eight wins in 11 starts on turf but will require a career-best to score on Saturday and David Loughnane's filly may want to see some rain falling to enhance her claims.
ROYAL DRESS (first) needed every yard to get up at Goodwood last time in the Listed Conqueror Fillies' Stakes (1m, soft), with re-opposing Breege (third) just a short-head behind. That was a much-improved run on seasonal/stable bow from the Night Of Thunder filly and the first-time hood is retained now. The extra half-furlong promises to suit and she's a definite player in a wide-open race.
3.45 - Aston Martin 'Dash' Handicap
Preceding the big race is the famous Epsom 'Dash' as a field of 15 contenders prepare to scorch their way across the Surrey Downs.
Topweight Clarendon House was third in this race last year, beaten just a neck, and returns for a second crack following a win at York's Dante Festival. He should travel well and is suited by Epsom but he's rated 11lb higher this time and gives upwards of 9lb to the field.
In the same Middleham Park colours is SILKY WILKIE for Karl Burke, last year's second. A head split the pair that afternoon, when the runner-up was giving 7lb to the third. This time around Silky Wilkie is receiving 12lb from his old foe. The Mehmas gelding sports a pair of first-time cheekpieces and has run satisfactory races at Bath and Musselburgh in April before returning to Epsom on Saturday. Clifford Lee returns in the saddle and this race may well have been circled in the calendar for some time.
Stablemate Looking For Lynda ran well over C&D in April and has since finished second behind Clarendon House at York. Hollie Doyle takes over and they give in-form trainer Burke a strong hand in the Dash.
