Epsom Derby Preview Saturday 7th June 2025

Betfred Derby (In Honour Of His Highness Aga Khan Iv) (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo) Winner £909,628 19 runners 1m4f6y Good ITV

race conditions  £1,500,000 guaranteed For  3yo colts & fillies NOTE: Horses will only be eligible to run in this race provided that they have a current BHA Handicap Rating of 80 or higher at midday of the confirmation stage. Horses which do not qualify for a rating may also be eligible providing the BHA Handicapper is satisfied that the horse's racecourse performances up to and including 31 May merit a provisional assessment of 80 or higher. Horses which have not run will not be eligible. Weights  colts 9st 2lb; fillies 8st 13lb pay £3,000 Penalty value  1st  £909,628.40 2nd  £344,860.00 3rd  £172,590.40 4th  £85,974.40 5th  £43,147.60 6th  £21,654.00 

 

19 runners declared for the Epsom Derby, the biggest field since 20003 when Kris Kin came home first of the 20 runners .Ground conditions are likely to be good/soft or softer With further showers forecast .

 

Aidan O'Brien seeks a record-extending 11th victory in the £1.5 million contest with three chances, Delacroix, The Lion In Winter and Lambourn

Ryan Moore will ride Delacroix, with Colin Keane partnering The Lion In Winter and Wayne Lordan aboard Lambourn. The draw was made at 11am on Wednesday with Delacroix in stall 14, Ruling Court in seven, Pride Of Arras in 16 and The Lion In Winter widest of all in 19.

Last month's 2,000 Guineas hero Ruling Court bids for a Classic double at Epsom, while Dante winner Pride Of Arras will look to provide a first Derby success for trainer Ralph Beckett, who also saddles Stanhope Gardens .

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2000 Guineas winner RULING COURT  is clear on official BHA ratings on 121, after winning strong  Guineas at Newmarket last month, that looked decent form with second Field Of Gold winning Irish 2000 Guineas next time, though hasn't looked short of speed ,winning both starts at mile this season.There has to be big question mark of staying this half-mile longer trip at Epsom. Not for me with big stamina doubts,especially with more rain forecast .

The unbeaten PRIDE OF ARRAS  should go well for Ralph Beckett & Rossa Ryan, after winning the Dante Stakes in good style at York last month, that looked decent effort on only his second start,beating Damysus and the reliable 110 rated Wimbledon Hawkeye. Looks open to further improvement over this longer trip with trainer Ralph Beckett reporting the horse likely to take big step forward after his Dante victory.Unraced on ground worse than good ,though has soft ground pedigree. Odds 5-1 or above look solid value.

DELACROIX  looks the pick of the Aidan O'Brien three runners, after winning twice at Leopardstown this season, including the Cashel Palace Derby trial in good style last month ,though that didn't look the strongest race, run in slow time.Has Yet to finish outside the first two in seven starts, though the Dubawi colt needs prove his stamina over this longer trip in strongly run race .

Former Ante Post favourite THE LION IN WINTER is difficult to weigh up after finishing disappointing sixth in Dante Stakes,though Can't be ruled out on his useful two-year-old form, has been  weak in market with Ryan Moore preferring Delacroix,will need bounce back over this longer trip .

Chester Vase winner LAMBOURN is one the few guaranteed stayers in the field, needing every yard of 1M 4F trip at Chester to beat Lazy Griff , had previously finished staying on second to Delacroix in 10F Ballysax Stakes in March .Will be staying on in closing stages.Further rain will suit .Place claims .

Of the others the John & Thady Gosden trained DAMYSUS looks the most interesting after finishing promising second in Dante behind Pride Of Arros, staying on nicely in closing stages after having wide trip.The Frankel colt looks open to further improvement over this longer trip on only his third start. Place claims .

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VERDICT:  

1ST : PRIDE OF ARRAS 

2ND : DELACROIX 

3RD : DAMYSUS 

4TH : LAMBOURN

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RECOMMENDED BET : PRIDE OF ARRAS 3.30 EPSOM DERBY 

1PT EACH-WAY @ 5-1 OR BIGGER WITH FIRMS PAYING 4 PLACES 

(UNPLACED SP 4-1) LOSS -2.00 PTS )

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FULL RESULT : 

1ST LAMBOURN 13-2 

2ND LAZY GRITH 50-1

3RD TENNESSE STUD 28-1

4TH NEW GROUND 50-1  

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