One of the biggest days on the horse racing calendar is set for Saturday, 6th June, as the Group One Derby headlines the six-race televised card on ITV from Epsom Downs.
We have gone through all televised races on Saturday, picking out ITV horse racing tips, and an accumulator for ITV racing.
ITV coverage on Derby Day kicks off with the Group Three Tattenham Corner Stakes. Never So Brave has plenty in hand based on official ratings, and the Andrew Balding runner should be primed to run well with a reappearance under his belt.
The five-year-old was fifth in the Group Two Bet365 Mile in April, but this drop back to seven furlongs could see him to best effect.
Oisin Murphy was also aboard the selection when he produced a career-best effort to land the Group One City of York Stakes last August.
Fillies and mares will be in action in the 14:05, as the Group Three Princess Elizabeth Stakes covers an extended mile.
Any rain will be regarded as a positive for David Loughnane-trained Sparks Fly, who was a winner of a Group Three on very soft ground in France last season. Is yet to reach the same heights in two starts this season, but she ran with credit when stepped up in trip at Chester when finishing two lengths behind Lambourn.
Has previous experience at Epsom, finishing third in this race 12 months ago. Softer conditions this weekend will play more to her strengths.
Next up is a star-studded renewal of the Group One Coronation Cup, which features a rematch between last year’s first two, Jan Brueghel and Calandagan.
However, this could be a tactical affair with three Aidan O’Brien runners likely to try and take the sting out of Calandagan’s finishing effort. Therefore, Convergent could be the overlooked improver.
The Karl Burke yard is in excellent form, and the four-year-old returned to action with an excellent display when holding off Al Aasy to land the Group Three John Porter.
Convergent excelled over this trip throughout last season, winning group races in Ireland and France. Any rain will be appreciated, as the selection has won on soft.
The race before the Derby is the Dash Handicap, run over five furlongs.
Low draws could be ideal, meaning that previous course and distance winner Dream Composer could be an interesting each-way angle. The eight-year-old won this race two years ago, and was hindered by a poor draw 12 months ago when running no race.
Has looked back to his best since joining the Tony Carroll yard, winning over five furlongs at Ripon and finishing within a length of Seven Questions at Goodwood.
All eyes will be on the Group One Derby on Saturday afternoon, as a high-quality field has been assembled. Aidan O’Brien should be respected due to his excellent record in the race, but potential rainfall would be a negative for Benvenuto Cellini.
Therefore, a chance could be taken on Joseph O’Brien’s James J Braddock. His sire’s only Group One win was over the Derby trip, and the second looks as though this step up in trip after getting up late in the day to best Pierre Bonnard in the Group Three Derby Trial at Leopardstown.
Has form on more testing ground, and that could be a key consideration if the forecast is correct this weekend. Hugely respected for a trainer, who could become just the fourth figure to achieve wins in the Derby as both jockey and trainer.
The coverage on Derby Day rounds off with the Cherryfield Lester Piggott Handicap, run over a mile and two.
Pendella looks to be on a workable mark for the Karl Burke team. The three-year-old filly was narrowly beaten last time out when fading in the closing stages to be touched off by Pearl River at York.
Is yet to win in two starts on the turf, but progression is clear from her latest efforts at York. Should be ahead of the handicapper, and looks to be ideally drawn to play a leading role on Saturday.
