Ed Chamberlin and Oli Bell go head-to-head with their horse-by-horse verdicts ahead of the Investec Derby at Epsom. So is it yay or neigh for your fancies?
Oli Bell: He couldn’t win the Dante so I can’t see him winning a Derby. NEIGH
Ed Chamberlin: Was highly fancied for the Dante at York and had the race set up for him but I’m sure he quite got home there. NEIGH
OB: Godolphin’s best chance of winning the race. Very impressive at Lingfield and Group One placed. Strong claims. YAY
EC: At my recent Golf Day, sponsored by Sky Bet, for WellChild we had Kieren Fallon on the panel in the evening and he raved about this colt’s chances at Epsom. Who am I to argue with the great man? A contender. YAY
OB: His chance would increase with showers and connections will be anxiously looking to Lucy Verasamy for good news on that front. If it stays dry I can’t see him winning. NEIGH
EC: On my day at Ballydole last September this was a horse Aidan O’Brien clearly thought an awful lot of. He hasn’t matched those expectations on the track yet though. NEIGH.
OB: I wasn’t overly impressed with him in the Dee Stakes at Chester and to my eye he could be one for the Leger later on the year. NEIGH
EC: The winner. YAY
OB: His form took a boost when Permian landed the Dante but this unbeaten and lightly-raced colt still has a bit to prove to me. NEIGH
EC: You just sense from the comments by John Gosden and Anthony Oppenheimer in the build-up that this colt isn’t a world-beater. Will he need to be to win such an open Derby though? YAY
OB: Lady Bamford is looking for her second win in an Epsom Classic but me this is a highly unlikely Derby winner. NEIGH
EC: Andre Atzeni thinks I’m called Ed Chamblers so I might be able to put him right in the post-race interview. A lively outsider. YAY
OB: I was very impressed with attitude in the Derrinstown trial which is often a key pointer to Irish raiders at Epsom. For that reason he’s on the shortlist. YAY
EC: He won the Derrinstown which is usually a strong trial but they finished in a heap that day suggesting none are world beaters. NEIGH
OB: No doubt this horse has tremendous latent talent but perhaps the Derby comes too soon in his fledgling career. NEIGH
EC: Visually impressive when running away with a Newbury maiden on his recent debut but this represents a huge step up. NEIGH
OB: This horse arguably has the best form going into the race and seemed to handle the track well at Breakfast With The Stars. He looks sure to relish the step up in trip and is very hard to crab. YAY
EC: He’s definitely worth another chance after not much went right in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas in terms of pace and draw. Should relish the step up in trip. YAY
OB: No chance. NEIGH
EC: Second in the Lingfield Derby Trial and can’t see him reversing form with Best Solution. NEIGH
OB: Has the services of last year’s Derby winning-rider in Pat Smullen and impressive at Goodwood last week. Not completely out of this but not in my first five. NEIGH
EC: Surprise to see connections supplement this one on Monday but interesting they have. Looks to have a bit to find. NEIGH
OB: Potentially a pace angle and has a lot to find on ratings with most of these. NEIGH
EC: Wide-margin winner of weak Southwell heat last time. Would be huge shock if he won this. NEIGH
OB: Winner of the Dante but needs to reverse form with Cracksman from earlier in the season – not out of the question he could. NEIGH
EC: Rock solid and sure to give you good run for your money but just wonder if he’s quite good enough to win it. NEIGH
OB: My tip for the Dante but he only ran ok there and he’s not for me here. NEIGH
EC: Really well fancied in Dante and surely capable of better than he showed that day, but still has plenty to find. NEIGH
OB: Big, big player who was twice placed in Group Ones at two. Looked in need of the run and a step up in trip on reappearance when second to Khalidi and not many bring top-flight form into this. Underestimate him at your peril. YAY
EC: Would love to see him win for my Sporting Life colleague Fran Berry and Sylvester Kirk is a top trainer but his big price looks justified. NEIGH
OB: Wouldn’t be a massive shock to see him improve on his Chester run but Aidan O’Brien has better chances in here. NEIGH
EC: Third in the Chester Vase and no obvious reason why he should finish in front of the other two here. NEIGH
OB: Of all the Ballydoyle runners this one has the strongest claims in my book. He’s learning as he goes along and still has room for improvement. Talented. YAY
EC: Impressive enough in winning the Vase but I prefer the Dee Stakes and the claims of Cliffs Of Moher. NEIGH
OB: Caught the eye at Chester and should improve as the season goes on but needs to find plenty. NEIGH
EC: Lots of promise at Chester but looked hard ride in the bargain. NEIGH
OB: Not the first – and won’t be the last – horse to run in a Derby with absolutely no chance. Lets hope she raises some money for charity. NEIGH
EC: Would be hard to fancy even in a match bet with the ambulance. NEIGH
And the first five home are...
Oli Bell
1 Salouen
2 Eminent
3 Venice Beach
4 Best Solution
5 Douglas Macarthur
Ed Chamberlin
1 Cliffs Of Moher
2 Best Solution
3 Crowned Eagle
4 Eminent
5 Cracksman
