With regards to The Derby, I don't think many people will argue that if Dawn Approach stays the 12f than nothing will touch him and I am more than happy to take the 7/4 about him doing just that with Ladbrokes in the morning. I've also backed Galileo Rock 33/1 whose emphatic debut success I cannot get out of my head and David Wachman's 3 year old will relish a huge stamina test and can hopefully stay on late in the day to get involved. Although I haven't backed him, I think Libertarian will prove that his Dante run was no fluke and run a much better race than a lot of people expect.
8.10 Newcastle Enchanted Garden 7/1 One final bet as Malcolm Jefferson's Enchanted Garden looks a fascinating contender on his handicap debut off a mark of 60 upped to 2m judged on his bumper form last season. Enchanted Garden ran a couple of blinders on his first two starts in bumpers (one at Newcastle) when finishing runner up to two useful sorts in the shape of Jim Goldie's Caledonia who was 3rd in the Grade 2 Bumper at Aintree and Phil Kirby's Just Cameron before scoring at the 3rd time of asking in a decent contest at Sedgefield back in December. He then ran another fine race under a penalty at Sedgefield in March when beaten 7L in a race that has seen the front two score again subsequently before running 3 times quickly in Maidens over 12f in April/May and he shaped much more encouragingly on his last start 2 weeks ago when a not knocked about 5th in a race where nothing came from off the pace. Judged on his 4 very good bumper runs, a mark of 60 looks potentially lenient for his handicap debut and its no surprise to see this stout stayer upped to 2 miles now switched to handicaps. Malcolm Jefferson has his horses in good form and with Freddie Tylicki taking the ride Enchanted Garden could prove well handicapped in what looks a pretty average contest on paper.
High Troja in the first at Epsom 5/1 looks the bet of the day. I think he'll win but for you nervy sorts I cannot see him out of the 3.
Doesn't look a strong Derby field outside of Dawn Approach. As many have said if he stays he wins. So will he stay. If I had to put money on it I'd say no. So even if he doesn't stay who is still going to beat him (because his class may still get him home). I'd put 3 up: Ruler of the World, Chopin and Ocovango. I'm going to plump for Ocovango after yesterday's old family winner. He may be by a German sire but the bottom quarter of his pedigree is Jim Joel's Picture Play family (so the family of Royal Palace and Fairy Footsteps and many others). By the way ROTO's first choice Livia's Dream is worth a lot more now than she was at this time yesterday. Being by a son of Galileo out great grandaughter of Bireme (Oaks winner), she shares a lot with Talent (by a son of Galileo out of a granddaughter of Bireme). So it goes.
I keep coming back to Battle Of Marengo but I haven't plumped up the confidence to back him in this race. Instead I am going for a couple of quid e/w on Libertarian, sure to stay I can see him flying home off what looks certain to be a stiff pace and think he's the value. edit, plus he's a New Approach
Aiden's first choice Kingsbarn is injured, he's mob handed and therefore doesn't have a derby winner in his stable! For me Dawn Approach wins, Bolger doesn't send his stars if he doesn't think they will win ie New Approach and the arc! 7/4 and I'm a big player, double up with St Nic for an extra 36% any horse with decent Frankel for in all over this season
I too think Mars will fare best of the ballydoyle runners. I'm pretty confident that he has been their main derby hope all along, possibly kingsbarns aside. He has been kept under the radar after being given his first run of the season in the 2000 guineas where I think they knew he wasn't going to win but wanted to give the horse the experience of running in an English classic and he hardly disgraced himself. Battle of Marengo is a one paced, slow horse and I don't think the other ballydoyle horses are good enough. My other bet will be Chopin as I was very taken by his last win and is completely unexposed. If dawn approach doesn't stay/handle the track then I don't think this race will take much winning as there appears to be no other stars in this lineup. Therefore I'm willing to give a chance to Chopin in the hope that he is better than we think
On the coach on route to Epsom. Just skimmed through the bible and my selections at present High Troja Cool Bahamia ST. Nicholas Abbey Ajjad The Derby : have been changing my mind all morning . Dawn Approach is becoming very backable and if he stays convinced he will win . My two against him if he doesn't are Battle of Marengo and Festive Cheer (the only Montjeu in the field )
I have just put 1 e/w on ocean applause @ 750/1 lol stranger thinhs have happend even atat a place still over 150/1 come on the maiden! Lol
Right I'm putting my faith in Jim Bolger: Enhanced double - St. Nicholas Abbey and Dawn Approach to win - big bet at 5/2 Dawn Approach to win by more than 3 lengths - medium-sized bet at 13/2 Go on my son
Morning all I had a sneaky feeling ESTEAMING would be mentioned by the main man ROTO and as usual he has covered all aspects with a cracking write up I just find it hard to believe it is still 6/1 in places roll on 3.30 good luck all
Morning all. Today I'm having 2 lucky 15's. 1-35=Epsom.Space Ship.(Nap) 2-05=Epsom.Thunder Strike. 2-40=Epsom.St.Nicholas Abbey. 4-00=Epsom.Battle Of Marengo. 2-00=Donny.Novirak. 3-10=Donny.Remote. 4-45=Donny.Queensberry Rules. 5-20=Donny.La Bacouetteuse. Space Ship & Remote double. Good luck to all.
Got a special offer from paddy power. dawn approach at 2/1. Thought i might as well. Only asked for 20 on, got offered £10.24. Stick it, paddy
All on here should remember that its not always been O'Briens first string that does best in Classics as we have seen before. Richard Hughes must be ultra confident after his recent wins in the English classics. Watch out everyone we could be seeing something run from a different Planet !! Lol All the soft would have gone in the going description come Derby Race Time too !!
£2 yannkiee 14:20 MUSSELBURGH=Justice Day 15:10 DONCASTER=Matrooh 14:55 MUSSELBURGH=Bin Singspiel 13:55 WORCESTER=SPARVILLE
I just about remember Bireme..I think Dick Hern also trained the third that day..name escapes me but I recall she only had one eye.
