Our columnist gives us the lowdown on his team of runners this weekend including on the quality Derby day card at Epsom.
Saturday runners
Epsom
13:30 Golden Mind
He’s got to step up on what he’s shown but it’s horses for courses and he ran well at the meeting last year. Soft ground will help him as he needs to be at his very best to be competitive but we’re hoping he runs well.
15:15 Stormy Impact
She won the three-year-old division of this last season but I’m a little worried about the five furlongs for her. She looks like she wants six now but as a course and distance winner we thought we’d give her a chance.
15:15 Vintage Clarets
I think he’s very well handicapped at the moment, will like the ground and he just needs a little luck. I’m happy with the draw for him too. He ran in this race a couple of years ago and the stalls didn’t open so it feels like we're on a retrieval mission. It wouldn’t be a shock if he ran well.
17:55 Strike Red
He was a little disappointing at Thirsk the other day but the owner loves this meeting and the horse has run here the last three years. It’s a typical Epsom sprint and you need luck and to be in the right place. I hope he is.
Musselburgh
15:28 Golden Palace
She’s a tough filly to find a race for - we’re just trying to get some black type. There’s just a little question if she gets seven furlongs but if she is going to get it anywhere then its here. She’s in very good form and we’re very happy with her.
16:45 Kind Touch
It’s his first run of the year. I’m just a little worried the five at Musselburgh might be a tad sharp for him but he needs a third run to get into the better races. He’s doing his best and he’s fit and well; we’ll see what happens.
Doncaster
15:45 Blue Icon
He looks like he might be one for handicaps but ran OK here the first time and the step up in trip will suit him.
17:00 Ziggy’s Angel
He’s been a disappointing horse and it would be great to just see him show something again and take a step back in the right direction.
Lingfield
20:10 Monsieur Kodi
He’s probably my best chance on the day. If the ground is on the easy side down there I think he’ll run very well.
More to read on the Betfred Derby Festival
- Timeform big-race preview and analysis
- Graham Cunningham's Epsom File
- Podcast Tips: Who will win the Derby?
- Betfred Derby: What the trainers say
- Horse-by-horse guide and Nic Doggett verdict
- Betfred Derby preview Podcast
- Weekend View from Andrew Asquith
- Stamina is key according to Simon Holt
- What do pedigrees say and who will stay best?
- Timeform's Derby greats down the years
- Frankel holds the key to Epsom glory
- Egypt the each-way play according to Alex Hammond
- The "most thrilling 90 minutes in horseracing"?
- Aidan O'Brien's unshakeable faith in Pierre Bonnard
- Final field of 14 and Derby draw details
Safer gambling
We are committed in our support of safer gambling. Recommended bets are advised to over-18s and we strongly encourage readers to wager only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
Further support and information can be found at begambleaware.org and gamblingtherapy.org.
