16:30 Epsom Downs

Saturday 2 June 2018

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:3017:1517:50

Investec Derby (Group 1)

Off time: 16:34 | Winning time: 2m 34.93s

(6)

Dee Ex Bee²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S De Sousa| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 110| BF| C

20/1

Gained his second career success here last year (1m½f) and not disgraced in two Listed events either side of the winter. Still improving, running well in the Chester Vase last time at a track that wouldn't play to his strengths. Interesting runner.

Form: 6312-32

(4)

Delano Roosevelt²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110

16/1

Not won since his debut at Leopardstown but has run well in each of his four starts in Group company since and gave the impression there's more improvement to come when staying on behind Hazapour in the Derrinstown. Should stay and can go well here.

Form: 132-22

(3)

Hazapour²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: D K Weld| OR: 112

12/1

Ended 2017 with a promising run in a Group 3 and took his form to a new level when winning a strong renewal of the Derrinstown Derby Trial on return. Should come on for that run, ground versatile and dam's brother won the 2016 Derby. Should go well.

Form: 713-1

(12)

Kew Gardens²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| BF

16/1

Wide-margin Listed winner at Newmarket to end his juvenile campaign but he's been a shade disappointing twice this year, most recently when beaten odds-on in the Lingfield trial. Has 3¼L to find with Knight To Behold on that run; others preferred.

Form: 1241-32

(2)

Knight To Behold²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Kingscote| T: H J L Dunlop| OR: 111| D

14/1

Returned with an impressive 3¼L success in the Lingfield Derby Trial last time. Plenty to like about that effort and should come on for the run having been keen early but he slipped the field to some extent there and unproven in these conditions.

Form: 21-1

(10)

Masar²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 117| BF

16/1

Disappointed on dirt in Dubai but returned with an impressive 9L Craven win and ran well when a well backed 5/2 fav for the Guineas, finishing third behind reopposing Saxon Warrior. Work on to reverse that form here and not certain to stay this far.

Form: 136-013

(5)

Roaring Lion¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 118| BF

6/1

Not seen to best effect in the Guineas when raced alone stand side but ran with credit to finish fifth and confirmed the promise of that with a wide margin Dante win. Propensity to hang a negative in this though and probably needs faster ground.

Form: 112-351

(1)

Saxon Warrior²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 120

4/5

Unbeaten in four starts, staying on well to get back up in the Racing Post Trophy last year and he was a mightily impressive winner of the 2,000 Guineas on return. That's the best form here and likely to stay but the draw is a slight concern.

Form: 111-1

(7)

Sevenna Star³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 107| BF

50/1

Has improved this year and won a Group 3 last time out at Sandown. That wasn't a strong race for the grade but he's been kept in the Derby with the eventuality of soft ground in mind and he's not without place claims if the ground gets testing.

Form: 23-11

(11)

The Pentagon²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| BF

33/1

Failed to justify favouritism when behind Hazapour and Delano Roosevelt last time and down the order on jockey bookings. Ground would appear to have gone against him with the rainfall this week and others make more appeal.

Form: 6113-33

(9)

Young Rascal²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: James Doyle| T: W J Haggas| OR: 112| D

17/2

5L winner of a maiden at Newbury on return and followed it up with a Chester Vase success last month, narrowly denying Dee Ex Bee. Front two pulled clear and still more progress likely upped in trip. Ground should suit and he's interesting here.

Form: 2-11

(8)

Zabriskie¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P B Beggy| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105

66/1

Won his maiden in testing conditions at Tipperary and returned to form with a respectable third in the Dante. Plenty on his plate to reverse the form with Roaring Lion though and yard have stronger claims with others in the line up.

Form: 018-63

Forecasts

Saxon Warrior (4/5), Roaring Lion (6/1), Young Rascal (17/2), Hazapour (12/1), Knight To Behold (14/1), Masar (16/1), Delano Roosevelt (16/1), Kew Gardens (16/1), Dee Ex Bee (20/1), The Pentagon (33/1), Sevenna Star (50/1), Zabriskie (66/1)

SAXON WARRIOR arrives here with the strongest form following his 2,000 Guineas success when last seen and this son of Deep Impact shaped like he would be even better over further that day. His pedigree suggests as much and if he wins well again, there could be a triple crown bid on the cards. While few will argue he's the most likely winner, the value could be with the likes of Young Rascal and Dee Ex Bee who pulled clear of some useful sorts in the Chester Vase last time. Hazapour is a live each-way player and if Dermot Weld's charge has improved since an impressive Derrinstown success, this relation of 2016 Derby winner Harzand could be the main danger.