it's switchback, hilly and cambered track.
Anyway, all that aside, it should be an interesting event. There are
doubts surrounding most of the principals including the likely
favourite and my idea of the winner Motivator. I've backed him
ante-post at 7/1 so I'm hopeful that his temperament stands up to the
razzmatazz of the day. The going will also be significantly faster
than anything he has run on so far and his sire Montjeu also preferred
the going to be on the easy side. They say that good horses can go on
fast ground at least once so I'm hoping that is the case today. There
is also a slight stamina doubt about him, but I think he will stay.
The horse with the best form in the race is Dubawi who won the Irish
2'000 gns, but that was on rain softened ground and he previously
failed to deliver on really fast ground in the 2'000 gns at Newmarket.
He also has so much speed that he is definitely another with questions
to answer on stamina.
Keiron Fallon has chosen the improving but inexperienced Gypsy King
over the battle hardened Oratorio who was second to Dubawi in Ireland.
It must have been a tough call but at least Gypsy King should have no
stamina worries.
The French colt Walk In The Park could also be involved in the shake up
as he was not suited by the slow early pace in the Lingfield Derby
Trial. With Coolmore running a pacemaker he is unlikely to have the
same problems here and he could spring a surprise.
The Diodem stakes at 3.00 looks good for Nayyir. He is a very game and
consistent horse and he should have too many guns for likely chasers
Grand Emporium and Mac Love.
Also keep an eye on Forever Phoenix in the sprint at 5.40. He got no
run at all last week at Musselburgh and certainly has a good handicap
in him. I believe given reasonable luck in running this could be his
day.
The other meetings tend to be overlooked on Derby Day but Haydock has a
decent card and Satin Kiss looks one to bet on in the Cecil Frail
Stakes at 3.05. She should be too good for the likes of Slip dance and
Echelon.
SELECTIONS
EPSOM DERBY MOTIVATOR
EPSOM 3.00 NAYYIR
EPSOM 5.40 FOREVER PHOENIX
HAYDOCK 3.05 SATIN KISS