David Massey and Rory Delargy are back with a look ahead to today's action, the focus on a couple of races at Epsom this evening.
Racing betting tips: Thursday July 16
1pt win Shahbaz in the 19:30 Epsom at 10/1 (Paddy Power, Bet365) – min 8/1
18:20 Epsom – Class 5 (0-70) Handicap 1m113y
Having The Steve Donoghue Handicap as a 0-70 is hardly a way to commemorate such an inimitable horseman, the winner of six Derbys and champion jockey ten times in the era before Gordon Richards. Some might say it’s fitting to run a Class 5 in his memory given the jockey’s habit of buying a first-class train ticket to the big race meetings but then travelling in the guard’s van rather than in the fancy carriages.
Adrian Wintle had a 1-2 in the final race at Bath on Wednesday and his Eutropia has been installed as favourite after showing improved form to finish second at Salisbury last time. The daughter of Study of Man is feared, but preference is for the well-treated Trio from the in-form Eve Johnson Houghton yard. Trio won a Leicester maiden in October, seeming to relish a test at a mile and she has been consistent since, albeit looking unsuited by the drop to 7f at Kempton last time.
This extended mile will suit Trio, as will the sound surface, and she has been given a chance by the handicapper, who has eased her mark despite her running right up to her best at Sandown on her penultimate start. That was a stronger event than this, and she had two next-time-out handicap winners behind her in finishing a close fifth to Law Court and The Joker, who went on to dominate a 1m1f handicap at the Esher venue next time having gone up in the weights.
On that evidence, Trio ran right up to her mark of 71 but is able to compete off 69 in a lesser contest now, and that may enable her to regain winning ways. She’s a little shorter in the market than expected this morning, and we’re not making her a bet as a result. David wants 4/1 before he’d press the button, and it wouldn’t be a concern to see her drift a little from a morning price of 3/1, so she’s well worth a mention.
19:30 Epsom – Ladies’ Derby Handicap (0-80) 1m4f6y
Pride Of Nepal was no match for Gordon Grey in this 12 months ago, but beat the others well enough, and the winner landed the amateur Derby later in the summer for a unique double. Tony Carroll’s mare should not be getting better at the age of eight but comes here at the top of her game having won similar races under Sarah Bowen at Chepstow and Ripon on her last two starts to bring up a handicap four-timer. The daughter of The Gurkha is asked a stiffer question here, however, and although her ability to handle the track is a big plus, a mark of 70 may just prove her undoing given she was running off 63 when beaten 11 lengths last year.
Pride Of Nepal is likely to make a good fist of things but she may have to play second fiddle to SHAHBAZ, who is another already proven over C&D having finished third in the Jump Jockeys’ Derby here last season for Ian Williams.
He has tumbled in the weights this season after a poor run but hinted at a revival at Wolverhampton two starts back and again caught the eye last time with Brodie Hampson on board for both runs. He has his first run on turf since joining Archie Watson and looks geared to run for his life from his reduced mark.
A few of the others are better at shorter trips, so the proven stamina of Shahbaz gives him an edge in our estimation and odds as big as 10/1 leave us in no quandary.
Preview posted 09:35 BST on 16/07/26
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