Ground Leaves Derby Door Open For Idaho

The Epsom Derby of 2016 is being billed as one of the most wide open in some time and with the two heading the betting having not raced since the start of April, such claims are understandable.

Mind How You Go
Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore will combine to try and do the Oaks/Derby double as US Army Ranger disputes favouritism with John Gosden’s Wings Of Desire (5/1) but O’Brien has four other runners in the most valuable ever renewal of the world famous race.

Cloth Of Stars is coming into the race as a 6/1 shot and a bit under the radar for Andre Fabre but the vibes are strong from those quarters and he is a colt that certainly warrants respect but there might be value to be had here.

Ground Importance
Friday’s Oaks was the slowest in the last decade and that could be significant here. We’ve often witnessed Ballydoyle runners make the frame in the Derby at big prices and having been 20/1 earlier in the week, Idaho, the mount of Seamie Heffernan, is now just a 12/1 shot and the ground could well be a factor in that support.

Idaho was an eye-catcher in the Derrinstown when he maybe didn’t get the clearest of runs.

That ground was probably even better than that the horses will encounter on the Epsom Downs and while the value is being squeezed a little now, Idaho is still the colt that I’d be siding with.

US Army Ranger (5/1) is the horse that could be the star in the field and if there is going to be a horse from the ages from this year’s Derby you’d imagine he is the only possible one who could progress that far. But he’d have to overcome some ground concerns and step forward dramatically from his run at Chester which would look a big ask but not impossible considering where he resides on a daily basis.

Harzand is another one who will appreciate the ground as he bids to fill the void on Dermot Weld’s CV but maybe a little nibble on him at 12/1 for the St Leger later in the season would be the play before the Derby.

Recommended Bet:
Idaho – Epsom Derby (4.30)

*Prices correct at time of publication.