We’ve got eight ITV racing tips from Saturday’s action at Epsom, with the Derby taking centre stage despite an early start due to the FA Cup final.
The big race is sandwiched by a couple of Group Three contests, before punters can get stuck into a series of wide-open handicaps.
Highland Avenue would take some beating on his form from two years ago but has had a series of setbacks and Roger Varian’s three-year-old is rated a value alternative.
Kolsai was a fine second to Canberra Legend in the Fielden Stakes at Newmarket and then got no luck in running when again runner-up behind Cicero’s Gift at Goodwood, so he could capitalise on a 12lb weight-for-age allowance.
Nothing went to plan when he flopped in the 2000 Guineas but Aidan O’Brien has always spoken extremely highly of this colt, who has been ante-post favourite for the Derby ever since being so impressive when landing last season’s Futurity at Doncaster.
“He’s always been very special from day one, his movement and everything about him,” declared the Ballydoyle trainer, who has saddled a record eight Derby winners. “Nothing has changed our minds about him; the Guineas went wrong and we put it down to a non-event for him.
“He’s a beautiful moving horse and good ground will be what he’d always prefer. He’s a very athletic horse, we’re very happy with him physically, he’s in good form. He’s nice and fresh and we think he’s fit, that’s all you could hope for really.”
Sir Michael Stoute’s mare is another horse bidding to redeem her reputation after being pulled up at Goodwood on her seasonal reappearance, when reportedly suffering an irregular heartbeat.
Connections must be convinced she has fully recovered to be running such a valuable asset inside a month later and Potapova can hopefully go one better than when second to the same owner’s Bashkirova in last year’s Princess Elizabeth Stakes.
Jack Channon would no doubt love to have a high-profile success after taking over from father Mick this term and his speedy sprinter looked tailor-made for the three-year-old ‘Dash’ when just caught close home by Estate at Salisbury recently.
Carries the Burnley colours and appears ready to match that team’s success on the pitch following a couple of encouraging efforts at Musselburgh and Ripon, with this slick five furlongs sure to suit.
Stoute’s son of Roaring Lion left his juvenile form behind him when claiming a convincing victory at Newmarket on his first start at three and everything suggests there is even more improvement to come ahead of the Lester Piggott Handicap.
Was a dual course and distance scorer last July and returned to Epsom with a solid second behind Bad Company in April for David Menuisier, who makes a significant jockey booking by putting Ryan Moore up here.
Got up close home to prevail in the same race 12 months ago and is back for more on just a 2lb higher mark. Caught the eye making late headway behind Bielsa at York last month and ticks a lot of boxes for our ITV racing tips.
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