Hedge Your Bets In The Derby

Aidan O’Brien goes in search of another Classic as racing goes in search of a new star in the Epsom Derby on Saturday and it will be fascinating to see how this wide open Derby develops.

Cliff Hanger
Claims can be made for many, but there can only be one winner. Can it be Aidan O’Brien again?

It will be a long year yet but Bobby Frankel’s Group 1 record has to be under serious threat from Aidan O’Brien this year but that’s for another day and tomorrow he’ll go in search of yet another Derby triumph.

Cliffs Of Moher is the obvious Ballydoyle preference having won at Chester and the master trainer was adamant he would come on massively for the run. With no stand out Derby horse, BoyleSports are betting 4/1 the field and even on Friday evening it’s unclear as to who will go off favourite.

Ballydoyle’s Capri has been the subject of support this week but Venice Beach is a horse that could well outrun his odds and give Donnacha O’Brien a spin to remember in the Derby.

Cracksman looks to be too short a price for what he has achieved so far in his career, while Dubai Thunder is a fascinating runner who will look to win the Derby on just his second start. That might be a bridge too far but expect him to put up a bold showing and make his mark at Group 1 level later in the year.

It would be no surprise if Cliffs Of Moher wins the Epsom Derby and improves dramatically from Chester as O’Brien and the vibes have suggested. O’Brien can do little wrong at the moment, but from a betting point of view, there might be a better option in the race.

Eminent
It’s the Derby and we probably shouldn’t be sitting on the fence, but it is wide open and Eminent is a horse that looks to be a solid each-way prospect.

The two-time winner was sixth in the Guineas behind Churchill but only beaten three and a half lengths and he could have been much closer if he had a clearer run in the vital stages of that race.

We’ll never know if a horse handles Epsom until he goes around there but Eminent should certainly handle the step up in trip and he looks to have done enough to suggest that he can definitely make the frame here.

Given that Cliffs Of Moher is likely to get much shorter closer to the off,

Eminent looks to be value at 8/1.

If you want a novel bet, stick Cliffs Of Moher and Venice Beach in for the tricast!

Oisin’s in a Dash
The Epsom Dash is one of the fastest races in the sport as they race down hill all the way from start to finish over the minimum trip and while luck in running will play a major factor here, the Paul Midgley-trained Desert Law can reel in the years and run a big race at 9/1.

The nine-year-old showed no signs of ageing when he won impressively at Musselburgh on his seasonal debut and having previously won the Epsom Dash and also finished second in the race,

Desert Law knows exactly what is required and can hopefully give a good account of himself.

He missed the race last year but won it in 2015 and was second back in 2012 and there’s every chance he is back on the right side of the handicapper. Maybe himself and Eminent might prove a nice each-way double at the prices.

Recommended Bets:
Desert Law 9/1 – 3:45 Epsom
Eminent 7/1 Each-Way – 4:30 Epsom
Cliffs Of Moher/Venice Beach/Eminent – Tricast – 4.30 Epsom

*Prices correct at time of publication