Investec Derby day blog - replay Ben Linfoot's live blog from the track

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All times BST

1720: And with that, the blog comes to an end. I've got to get to Kings Cross for my train north and missing the last is my only hope. Thanks for joining me over the last few days, it's been a fantastic meeting here at Epsom, as ever.

Nobody predicted Wings Of Eagles in the racecard competetion (what is wrong with you lot?) but I'll be send one of you that emailed in one over. Not the fellow in Trinidad, though. I can't afford Air Mail after my punting today. 

The blog will be back soon, Royal Ascot I believe. Until then...

Soldier In Action (12/1) has just won the 515 by the way...

1715: But this is Paddy's day. Wings Of Eagles' day. It looked an open Derby beforehand, and it was the son of Pour Moi that got the job done right on the line.

1710: This could be the key quote from O'Brien: "I couldn't be happier, and obviously I'm delighted with Cliffs Of Moher, but he's a bit of a baby and his next run will be something to look forward to."

The way Cliffs Of Moher swept to the lead down the outside, after sweating up quite profusely beforehand, with the promise of even more to come after his niggles, means he could be the one to take out of the race going forward.

 1705: "I don't really know what happened there," says Aidan O'Brien as he sits down for his press conference. Even the great man is confused.

1701: "I won a shade cosily in the end," says Beggy.

1659: Beggy said afterwards: "A furlong down I thought if I get a run I'd win, I knew Ryan had gone, but in fairness to the big horse his best furlong is his last, which makes a big difference. I don't get to sit on many beasts like this at the races, so I'm going to enjoy it. I'd nearly given up on the big days, but Aidan O'Brien has made it happen. It's happy days." 

1656: If you backed your horses each-way with Sky Bet, Eminent was fourth and Benbatl fifth.

Sky Bet spokesman Michael Shinners said: "The open nature of this year’s Investec Derby meant we were able to pay 5 places.  The result was certainly not expected by punters as we laid a number of horses in the race but not Wings Of Eagles.  The places were reasonably good despite Cracksman and Cliffs Of Moher finishing 2nd and 3rd and this has to go down as a bookmaker friendly result."  

If you've not seen it yet, click here for full result & free video replay.

1653: And a significant success for the sire, Pour Moi, too. The way Wings Of Eagles just got there was reminiscent of his dad, but Beggy didn't stand up in his irons 50 yards before the winning line a la Mickael Barzelona. That would have taken some courage in that finish.

1651: As for Aidan O'Brien, that's his sixth Investec Derby and he's just one away from being the joint-leading trainer in the race now. Robert Robson, John Porter and Fred Darling all have seven Derby wins each. You'd think he'll have that record outright soon.

1650: Paddy Beggy is the story here. He'd had just the one ride in England prior to this and was three from 99 in Ireland for the last five years. Just incredible.

1645: When I was walking the course earlier I looked at the slight uphill finish and thought you always know the Derby winner before you get to that point. Well, usually. You usually know when they hit the final furlong. But today, I'm not sure I'd have backed Wings Of Eagles to win the Derby with a furlong to go. Just when you thought Cliffs Of Moher was the one there came his stablemate sweeping down the outside, dramatically reversing Chester Vase form with Venice Beach who didn't figure.

1640: Padraig Beggy, having his first ride in the Derby, wins the races on Wings Of Eagles, a largely unconsidered 40/1 chance for Aidan O'Brien. Wow. It's a one-two for Ballydoyle with Cliffs Of Moher, who looked the likely winner inside the final furlong when he took it up under Ryan Moore. Frankie never looked happy on Cracksman, with the distress signals sent out early. He did well to finish third in the circumstances. They've all finished in a heap and this will take some unravelling.

1630 Result

1st WINGS OF EAGLES (40/1)
2nd Cliffs Of Moher (5/1)
3rd Cracksman (7/2)

Click here for full result & free video replay

1627: Good luck with your bets, everyone. We're almost at post time. I'm off to see what I can near the winning line in the 238th running of this great race.

1625: The punters have decided: It's 3/1 Cracksman. They're down at the start.

1624: The Derby field is parading in front of the stands as we are just minutes away from post time here at Epsom. Cracksman is going to be your clear favourite here, Frankie Dettori's mount 100/30 and 7/2 now.

1620: The jockeys and horses make their way out onto the track from the parade ring. Frankel could have the first two in the market here with Cracksman and Eminent, as Cliffs Of Moher is uneasy in the betting (out to 5/1 in places).

1616: Cracksman is solid, but Eminent, Permian and Best Solution are also being well supported on course. Eminent is 6/1 everywhere, Permian is into 8s and Best Solution 10s. The support for Salouen continues, too, and he's 28s in most places having been 66/1 earlier in the week.

1610: Onto the big one. The Investec Derby. A race won by some of the greats of the game. Giants of the turf. But which horse will follow in their hoofprints this afternoon? They're walking around a packed paddock and it's Cracksman that is your 4/1 favourite for the Gosden and Dettori team.

1607: They did go sub 55 seconds in the Dash with Caspian Prince's winning time 54.92.

1601: If you had your each-way bets with Sky Bet, fifth and sixth were Edward Lewis and Boom The Groom. Tick, tick, tick, tick, Boom.

1559: I went out and stood by the winning post to watch the Dash, but I couldn't see anything. I guarantee you'll have seen more than me at home, so I've no idea of any hard-luck stories as yet. All I saw was poor Sign Of A Kodiac finishing last. We'll file that one in the draw marked 'unsuccessful'. Yes, I have other words too, but this is a family show.

1557: I'm not going to lie to you, that was not a good race for me financially. At least the Derby looks nice and easy this year, eh? Oh.

1555: What an incredible horse Caspian Prince is as he wins the Dash for an amazing third time. After wins off 97 and 104 he's won this off 107 from stall one and that is one fantastic handicapping performance. Incredible horse. By Dylan Thomas out of a Rainbow Quest mare, you'd think he'd thrive over a mile and a half, but here is winning the fastest race there is yet again. Remarkable performance.

1545 Result:

1st Caspian Prince (25/1)
2nd Dark Shot (10/1)
3rd Duke Of Firenze (9/1)
4th A Momentofmadness (8/1)

Click here for full result & free video replay

1542: The draw can be huge in this race. It's easy to see why. Looking back up the sprint track you can see the camber tilting all the way from stands side to far side and those drawn high have a flatter bit of the track to gallop on. It hasn't always worked out like that in this race, though, and there's bags of pace drawn low today. 

1539: Good luck with your Dash selections as well. I have a love-hate relationship with this race, like a lot of punters I suspect. I love the spectacle. Around 20 horses flying down the fastest sprint track around in 55 seconds, or thereabouts, is thrilling. But trying to find the winner can be carnage. I was on Captain Dunne the year he didn't win it and that's the closest I've got in recent seasons.

Having backed Boom The Groom when he was on the wrong side last year, a victory for him today would be a Captain Dunne-style kick to the privates. So come on Excessable. Come on Sign Of The Kodiac. Get back Boom, get back.

1534: Come on my Dash selections.

1523: As we build up towards the Derby - just the Dash to go before the big one now - John Gosden is getting excited ahead of his battle with the likes of Coolmore and Godolphin.

The trainer of Derby hopefuls Cracksman, Crowned Eagle, Glencadem Glory, Khalidi and Pealer says:  "The horses are well, running well, which is important. The ground is perfect - you can be on the front end, you can come from off the pace. We are here and we're being bold and fighting fire with fire!"

I love it Jonny G. What a Classic double it would be following Enable's victory yesterday.

1515: Sovereign Debt defies the penalty to win really impressively under James Sullivan for Ruth Carr, digging in tenaciously to see off the late challenges of Gabrial and Oh This Is Us.

Oh This Is Us travelled the best but had nowhere to go in the final quarter mile while Sovereign Debt got first run on him from a prominent position. Once switched to the inside rail Oh This Is Us gained a little ground, but Sovereign Debt was already home for a deserved success. Fantastic win for connections.

1510 Result:

1st Sovereign Debt (4/1)
2nd Gabrial (7/1)

Click here for full result & free video replay

1505: They're going down for the Diomed Stakes, the race named after the horse that won the inaugural running of the Derby back in 1780. The talented Oh This Is Us is your 3/1 favourite here.

Sovereign Debt has been excellent since running for Ruth Carr, but he's up against it here under his penalty. Folkswood poses the main danger to Richard Hannon's favourite.

1455: Sky Bet go 3/1 from 16s Laugh Aloud for the Duke of Cambridge at Royal Ascot following her Princess Elizabeth rout. She's in the Sussex Stakes later on in the season as well and I wonder if we'll see her take on the colts at some stage? I guess much will depend on Richard Fahey's Ribchester and what route he takes for Godolphin this summer.

1450: Paul says: "Hi Ben from sunny Lytham on the Fylde Riviera. As much as I'm interested in the big race my biggest bet today is on John Spearing's Clear Spring. He has an enviable record at Epsom. Your opinion? Keep up the good work, someone has to do it!"

Thanks Paul, it is a very tough shift the Derby shift here at Epsom but I shall battle on manfully! 

As for Clear Spring, if memory serves me he goes well at Goodwood as well doesn't he, so he clearly has an affinity for downhill tracks. He's getting on a bit but experience never bothers me with a handicap sprinter and he's dropped 5lb after a few quick runs. So, yes, I can see why you like him. Good luck with your meaty wager.

1445: The first leg of the Sportinglife Special double is in, so hopefully a few of you are sat on the 20/1 about Eminent in the Derby. I'm not, sadly, but I hope you lot have a lovely winner. I really do.

And if you're still to place your Derby bets, you can get FIVE places on each-way bets in the big race, remember, by heading to Sky Bet (click here).

1442: Really impressive performance from Laugh Aloud as she cruises into contention and runs away from them in the style of a top notcher.

Tisbutadream got the run of the race out in front and responded well once headed, but she had to settle for third in the end with Absolute Blast filling the runners-up spot.

But this was all about the winner, who looks destined for a crack at the very top level now.

1435 Result:

1st Laugh Aloud (4/5 favourite)
2nd Absolute Blast (8/1)
3rd Tisbutadream (12/1)

Click here for full result & free video replay

1432: Princess Elizabeth Stakes next and this revolves around odds-on favourite Laugh Aloud for John Gosden and Godolphin. Clear on official ratings, she was impressive at Goodwood last time out and is the form pick.

There's good each-way money for Tisbutadream for David Elsworth and sizzling Silvestre De Sousa. She won a good Ascot handicap last time and I get the support for her.

1425: The blog reaches Florida as well as Carol writes in to say: "Ben, have the O'Brien horses arrived yet? After yesterday's debacle, you'd think they leave extra super early. Thanks for the blog--it kept me going at work yesterday. I am happy to say that the Derby will be shown live on TV this year in the U.S. On a cable channel, but it beats watching it on a tablet.  Of course, I'll still be using your blog."  

No dramas on the O'Brien front today, Carol. Aidan and family even had time to walk the track unlike yesterday, so a smooth preparation for Cliffs Of Moher and the gang. 

1417: Meanwhile, Paul has zero love for Franny Norton. He says: "Emenem was the unlucky one because Franny Norton has given the horse a shocker of a ride. Go down the outside and he wins. Very poor."

It is a tough gig, the jockey gig at Epsom. That's all I'm saying.

1414: Another email from Trinidad as Wayne says: "Hello Ben, from the land of Calypso and Steelband, it would be easy if Sir Lester was riding, no such luck so I'm on Frankie. The crew will be cheering on from Coffee Street in San Fernando, Trinidad close to the Skiffle Steel Orchestra! Have a great day!"

Lots of love for Frankie in the Caribbean. Enjoy the racing Wayne & friends!

1412: The Queen is here at Epsom today despite having a runner at Worcester. I'm sure she'll catch the jumps action on the old bet and watch.

1408: Another winner for the red-hot Andrew Balding yard as Drochaid wins the races under a confident Oisin Murphy. Emenem was the unlucky one as he was short for room late on, but he couldn't reel in the winner.

Murphy says: "I wanted to make the running and he's done it very well. He won easy, he's a horse that can take another step up when he steps up in trip."

Balding said: "We've had a good run of luck so long may it continue."

1400 Result

1st Drochaid (11/2)
2nd Emenem (9/2)
3rd Desert Skyline (4/1)

Click here for full result & free video replay

1357: Lots of support for Emenem today and you can see why. He's up 6lb for winning here last time but that might not be enough to stop him following up under Franny Norton for local handler Simon Dow.

Mister Blue Sky remains the outsider of the field, but with Sylvester Kirk's record at the track and this new trip in mind he should go well (hopefully, anyway).

1345: They're parading for the opener as the sun beats down on the horses in the paddock. Big chance for Sportinglife columnist Fran Berry here with Desert Skyline who was so unlucky in the Listed race at Newmarket last time, where he was in front before the line and after the line but lost on the bob. He's up 4lb but is interesting dropping back into handicap company. He's your 4/1 second-favourite behind the jolly, Tartini, who is 7/2.

1323: Pete is cheering on Cracksman from Trinidad. He says: "Hi Ben. Yes a very international reach, Trinidad has a large UK racing following. Always enjoy your columns and tips. I like Cracksman for the Derby go Frankie -met him here n got his autograph -top of my bucket list...lol thats my pick...hope to win History of the Hill book! Also will support SDS at big odds to find a place. Keep up the great work n finding us winners!"

We all know how this ends. This ends with me posting a racecard to Trinidad, doesn't it?

1315: Just 45 minutes to go until the first race, the Investec Private Banking Handicap Stakes over the 10 furlongs.

Sky Bet's First Race Special concerns this spectacle and it's Money Back if your selection finishes 2nd or 3rd, up to £20.

Click on that link to place your bets.

1252: It really is an excellent racecard today packed full of interesting features. There's one on Royal Palace, the horse that won the Derby 50 years ago in the first renewal that was started from stalls. There's one on the history of The Hill and how that's progressed over the last 238 years. A tribute to the late, great, Walter Swinburn is in there, Derby-winning jockey on three ocassions; on Shergar in '81, Shahrastani in '86 and Lammtarra in '95. 

There's plenty more besides and it's a nice keepsake if you like this sort of thing. I'll post you mine which is in pristine condition if you can email me today's Derby winner. If more than one if you is correct I shall conduct a random draw. Emails to racingfeedback@sportinglife.com please. Off you go!

1230: Hard to believe it's 10 years since Frankie Dettori won his first Derby aboard Authorized. Doesn't seem that long ago. It took Frankie 15 attempts to win the Epsom Classic, but that was nothing compared to the great Sir Gordon Richards who won it aboard Pinza for the first time in 1953 at his 28th attempt. It was his final ride in the race. What drama.

1215: Jim in Sydney says: "Hi Ben, thanks for the thrilling ride on Mythical Madness yesterday. It paid $5.30 for the place! Following your advice again today and the Mister Blue Sky, Excessable, Venice Beach treble sounds like a tempting parlay bet for the win & place. Sounds like the Epsom sunshine is putting soggy Randwick to shame. Enjoy the festivities and good luck to all!"

Thanks Jim, glad the blog has an international reach!

1152: Paul asks: "Hi Ben What do you think of the chances of Glencadam Glory today. Wide draw will allow Doyle to drop him in and work his way through late on, as he did in the Derby Trial. Just got to hope that he doesn't lose too much ground at the start though. 40s looks too good a price to miss." 

I must admit Paul, he wasn't really on my radar. Like you mention he's been slowly away on both occasions he's raced this season, but even if he'd broken on terms I don't think he'd have troubled Best Solution, who was giving him 5lb, in the Lingfield trial last time. I find it hard to believe that he can reverse that form.  

1145: An old friend of Sportinglife racing blogs from years gone by, Jen, is on and she's hoping Ryan Moore is the one travelling with a double handful around Tattenham Corner this afternoon.

She says: "Morning Scoop. Having been given the word about Cliffs of Moher around the time of the Grand National I have had a small interest in him at a value price. I tend to agree with you regarding Cracksman's stamina and the alarming lack of consistency of the Frankel progeny is reason enough for taking him on. Good luck for today."

At least someone agrees, Jen! I've not met many who think Cracksman has a question to answer stamina-wise but I do think it should be a bigger talking point than it has been. 

1135: Today's audio preview now courtesy of Mike Vince, who spoke with Michael Shinners and I ahead of today's action.

If audio isn't your thing, here's the face of ITV Racing Ed Chamberlin with a YouTube video on today's Sportinglife Special Double (Laugh Aloud and Eminent both to win was 16s NOW 20s).

1130: The crowds are flooding through in their thousands here at Epsom. As I strolled around Tattenham Corner Eddie Floyd's Knock On Wood was blaring out to welcome the picnic-goers. The sun is shining, the fair is in full swing and the punters are enjoying themselves in the bit branded Poundland Hill. It's all good fun.

The turf itself is a lush green, no doubt helped by yesterday's thunderstorm. Thankfully, we're forecast nothing but more sunshine this afternoon.

It must be incredible freewheeling round Tattenham Corner on a horse travelling in the ideal position. I always think that's where you begin to see where the race will be won and lost and walking round the sweeping bend just then you get a real feel for just how important position is at that point, even with four furlongs to go.

1120: An end to the Diore Lia story as the filly is a non-runner in the Derby. A 'pulled muscle' the official reason.

1040: Okay, okay, I'll go and get some fresh air and walk the course while looking at Poundland Hill and what it has to offer. I'll report back shortly, probably after placing a wildly ambitious Placepot.

1035: The Galileo that is attracting money this morning is Venice Beach, the Chester Vase winner. He's 12s from 14s generally. I wonder. Would be a huge story with Aidan's son Donnacha O'Brien taking the ride.

The last time I was at the Derby another of Aidan's son's, Joseph, won the race aboard Australia. He saddles his first Derby runner as a trainer this afternoon in Rekindling, who looked an interesting Derby contender before blotting his copybook in the Dante.

1010: The Derby is so special for many reasons, not least the spectacle around this unique track itself. It's the ultimate test for a thoroughbred. It's a day out like no other. The history. But if I had to pin down one reason why it's the race I most look forward to all year it's probably because it defines the Classic generation and future generations.

No less than eight of today's Derby field are sired by former winners of the race. All Coolmore sires. Galileo, the supreme 2001 winner, is responsible for five of today's line-up, but there's a couple for 2002 winner High Chaparral as well and one for 2011 hero Pour Moi.

And then there's Frankel. Could he sire a Derby winner at his very first attempt with either Cracksman or Eminent? Or could the horse that got closest to Frankel on the track, Nathaniel, follow up his Oaks win with Enable yesterday with Glencadam Glory? Or could Godolphin finally win a Derby with a son of Dubawi?

It's a huge day in the bloodstock world.

0948: Three non runners here today. Elbereth, understandably following her excellent fourth in the Coronation Cup yesterday, doesn't go in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes, while stablemate Here Comes When is out of the Diomed as the ground has got too quick for him. Orvar is the other one to cross out of your papers in the Dash.

0945: The bookmakers are puffing their chests out on the morning of the Derby as punters struggle with the most complex of puzzles for a Classic, at least.

It's 5/1 the field with those odds available about both Cracksman and Cliffs Of Moher, while it's 15/2 Eminent, 11/1 Permian and 14s and bigger the rest.

One that has come in for nibbles of support is Sylvester Kirk's Salouen. He was 66/1 earlier in the week but is generally 40s now and 33s in places.

0930: First things first, the conditions. It's warm and sunny already here with just the faintest of breezes and the ground has changed overnight to Good, Good to Firm in places from yesterday's Good.

Clerk of the Course Andrew Cooper says: "We were dry overnight. There was a tiny bit of drizzle early this morning but we are expecting a dry day and fresher conditions, with temperatures up to 20 degrees Celcius.

"Walking the course this morning on the ground we raced over yesterday, it is pretty much Good, Good to Firm in places. The fresh ground on the inside that we kept for today has a little bit more juice in it."

The fresh ground Cooper alludes to there is from the mile pole to the finishing line on the inside after the dolled out rail was taken down.

0915: Can you feel the excitement yet? It's Derby day, the one and only. Magnificent. The best racing day of the year for my money and this year's race looks an open one. That doesn't mean it will be average, we could see a wonder horse emerge this afternoon and that all adds to the anticipation. 

Are you a Cracksman man? Cliffs Of Moher? Something of Godolphin's or a John Gosden-trained outsider? Maybe you're looking down the Ballydoyle pecking order? Nothing in the race seems a ridiculous shout, apart from Diore Lia, obviously.

Send me in your fancies, your Derby memories, anything Epsom-related or otherwise and you can help add to the fun of the fair here today. Email racingfeedback@sportinglife.com with your thoughts, please. We're all set for a belting day of sport.