Get Ahead with Expert Tips

ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW FOR epsom's Derby day

Information is correct as of 4th June 2021.

Race by race tips

14:00 - Freak Out

This one is a really interesting runner for George Boughey, whose horses have been flying recently. He put in a nice performance at Newmarket coming from the back of the pack to finish second with a strong finish. This step up to 10f should suit and he looks like the one most likely to improve off his current mark here. Cheekpieces are applied for the first time which could help him travel better here.

14:35 - Statement

We’re willing to give Statement another chance here, who just didn’t seem to be suited by Newmarket in the Guineas. She’s bred to stay, so this extended mile could be right up her street. If getting back to her run in the Fred Darling, where she missed out on the nod to Alcohol Free who ran a good race in the Guineas, she should be right up there. With her allowances, she comes out best at the weights and is a lovely, straightforward filly who should handle the Epsom cambers.

15:10 - Century Dream

We’re backing Century Dream to bounce back from a disappointing return at Newbury as he quite often needs his first run of the season. Winner of this race in 2018 and last year when ran at Newbury, he’s won at a higher level previously and is the best rated horse in this field. This race hasn’t got a good record for 3yos, but Ryan Moore doing 8st8lb is certainly worth noting. Sir Michael Stoute’s charge ran a big race at Chester and back down to the extended mile should suit here.

15:45 - Yimou

The World Pool Dash is a race that can be won and lost in an instant and you need to show plenty of early pace to get well positioned here. One who certainly has that is Yimou who comes here after a slightly unlucky run at Newmarket, where he got a bit squeezed for room late on. There was plenty to like about that comeback run and it’s always a good sign when a horse is stepped up in class on their second run of the season despite not winning. He ran a good third in the Portland at Doncaster last year and contests this off 2lb lower. Dean Ivory is an excellent trainer of a sprinter and he can pick up another top prize for the yard.

16:30 - Third Realm

That Ballydoyle pin their hopes on just Bolshoi Ballet here is some nod of confidence and the son of Galileo has been seriously impressive in everything he’s done to date. He might well win this, but the Derby has a habit of throwing up big priced winners. One who looks decent value is Third Realm. Anthony Van Dyke won the Lingfield trial in 2019 before capturing the main event and Roger Varian’s charge could emulate him. The time was much quicker than the Oaks trial on the same day and he showed a really smart kick round the turn to put a couple of lengths between him and the rest of them. He should come on for that performance and it would be no surprise to see him run a big race here.

17:15 - Group One Power

You’d have to be brave to be getting involved with Lost Eden here after an irregular heartbeat led to a disappointing performance at Ascot. He’s not been done too many favours by the handicapper either and while a nine-length victory at Lingfield clearly demonstrated his ability, he probably didn’t beat too much. Therefore preference is for Group One Power, who probably has a bit more scope off a mark of 88. The Andrew Balding 4yo seems to have improved for a gelding operation and scored over course and distance here on his reappearance. The useful Louganini ran him down on soft ground last time but the field was well strung out and he can get back to winning ways here.

17:50 - Ejtilaab

Ian Williams’ 5yo has been running well of late but just hasn’t been seeing out his races over 7f. He tried to do it from the front at Chester, but one just found more in the closing stages. With RPRs of 98, 95 and 97 in his last three races, he still could be well treated off a mark of 92 for this contest and is a well-balanced type, so Epsom should suit. This is his first crack at 6f since winning on debut and Ian Williams won this race in 2018.

Placepot Pointers

After a scintillating first day on the Downs, we’re back for another crack at the Placepot. The average Placepot dividend on Derby Day is £1,775.16 and we’re hoping our perm can land a chunky dividend. Remember to place your bet with Tote online. You’ll benefit from Tote+ if you do, meaning 10% bigger dividends.

If you’re looking to take on the favourites early doors, we’ve added an extra safety net. Placepot Insurance is available at Epsom on Saturday, so if your bet goes down in the first we’ll refund your stake up to £10. T&Cs Apply.

The Big Trend

The favourite has been unplaced in the last three renewals of the Derby. While BOLSHOI BALLET (Leg 5 - 16:30) has looked magnificent to date, and it’s some nod of confidence from Aidan O’Brien to pin all his hopes on this one runner, it’s certainly worth throwing in a couple of bigger prices here just in case there’s an upset once more.

One who will be looking to emulate Ballydoyle’s 2019 winner, Anthony Van Dyke, will be THIRD REALM, who will be looking to follow up his trial win with victory in the Epsom showpiece. He displayed an eye-catching turn of foot around the turn that day and he might just improve again here.

Another potential improver at a big price is MOJO STAR. Still a maiden after two starts, Richard Hannon wouldn’t be sending him over here for the fun of it. On his last run, he looks set to enjoy the step up to 1m4f.

Placepot Banker

It’s typically competitive racing as you would expect on Derby Day, but one to keep on side could be CENTURY DREAM (Leg 3 -15:10) who chases a hat-trick of wins in this race. He quite often needs his first run of the season, so you shouldn’t read too much into his last run and will no doubt enjoy a bit of sun on his back tomorrow. A Group 2 winner previously, he should be too good for his rivals here.

Outsider to Consider

George Boughey had the winner in the first yesterday and looks to have a good chance of doing the same here with FREAK OUT (Leg 1 - 14:00). He put in an eye-catching performance at Newmarket last time, when going from last to second with a late rattle. On that performance, the step up to 10f should suit and he looks open to progression off his current mark. First-time cheekpieces could eek out further improvement.

QUEEN KAHLUA (Leg 2 - 14:35) is an interesting runner for Stuart Williams. Making her second start for the stable having been imported from France, she ran on well in a Listed race at Nottingham on debut. A winner on heavy ground in France, she won’t have minded the rain on Friday.

Torpedo Leg

With the last five winners of the World Pool Dash all being sent off at a double-figure SP, this is a race which is notoriously difficult to pick the winner. One we do like is YIMOU (Leg 4 - 15:45). He ran really well on his seasonal bow at Newmarket and the fact he’s stepped up in class for this suggests that was nothing more than a pipe-opener. He ran a really good race in a big handicap at Doncaster last year and has the early pace to get on the front end here. Hopefully the ground won’t be too tacky and blunt his speed. LORD RIDDIFORD and sprinting stalwart ORNATE complete our line up in the leg.

Our Placepot Perm

Leg 1: Freak Out, Patient Dream

Leg 2: Statement, Queen Kahlua

Leg 3: Century Dream

Leg 4: Yimou, Lord Riddiford, Ornate

Leg 5: Bolshoi Ballet, Third Realm, Mojo Star

Leg 6: Group One Power, Soto Sizzler

2 x 2 x 1 x 3 x 3 x 2 = 64 lines