Our resident tipster Ben Morgan selects his best bets for Epsom on Friday and Saturday, including his pick for the Derby.
Epsom 4.00 – Hauk to swoop late for Oaks glory
I think the Oaks is a little bit more open than the market and most pundits will have you believe.
The 1000 Guineas heroine, Desert Flower, unquestionably looks right out of the top drawer, but there have to be serious doubts over whether or not she will stay this trip.
Her breeding wouldn’t convince me, and the fact that you don’t see many horses even attempt the double, let alone achieve the double, advertises the scale of the task she is facing.
I’m quite strong on her main market rival at present, MINNIE HAUK, who I got great vibes off at Chester.
Ryan Moore was very complimentary about her, and you got the feeling connections knew there was plenty more to come.
Recent comments back that thought process up and being by Frankel out of a Juddmonte mare who herself is out of the legendary Zenda, suggests she should have all the necessary class to win a race like this.
With Aidan O’Brien running 3 in the race I suggest they will attempt to run the finish out of Desert Flower and if she wins, ok fair enough, but for me at the prices it’s Minnie Hauk who I want on my side in the last 2f.
Epsom 5.10 – Handicapper might need some more Information
MISS INFORMATION’s victory at Newmarket last time out led to a 4lb rise in the handicap, but I think that might be a little lenient.
It was a messy enough race where I think the keen eye of Oisin Murphy won the race as he kicked at the right time before long-time leader Physique was allowed to get too far ahead.
In a small field, she could have easily gone down as an unlucky loser, but the fact that she got up suggested to me there should be plenty more to come, especially in a bigger field.
Connections have undoubtedly targeted this race after that Newmarket victory as she boasts an important ‘CD’ victory to her name already, and with normal progression forthcoming, I expect her to be hard to beat in the finale on Day 1 of the Epsom Derby meeting.
Epsom 4.00 – Minnie Hauk
Epsom 5.10 – MIss Information
Saturday – Hard to find just one ‘Arra’ to throw in high class Derby
Epsom 2.45 – Speed should prevail in Dash
I’m having two win bets in the Dash this year as I am sure either DEMOCRACY DILEMMA or JUM JUNGLE can win this race.
The former just got touched off in last year’s renewal by a rare closer, which was typical as we were on that day and I vividly remember the heartbreak.
This was because this race usually goes the way of a real rip-snorter of a sprinter, one that bursts the gates and kicks for home 4f out, but last year a fast finisher just had enough in hand to get up on the line.
I can’t see that happening again, which is why I’m sticking with last year’s second as I don’t think many will get in front of him from the gates.
I anticipate JM Jungle to be fast out, too, which is why I’m putting him up also. If the weight is too much in the final half furlong for my first tip, I expect this fellow to be in prime position to pick up the pieces.
A couple of respectable efforts at York show he is in rude health, but in both runs he has been crying out for a lead horse which he just hasn’t got. I expect Democracy Dilemma to take him deep into the race, where in the final furlong it will be down to who wants it more.
Epsom 3.30 – The Derby
I am savouring this year’s edition of the Epsom Derby as I think it’s as good a Derby as we have seen for some time, certainly in terms of depth.
We have the 2000 Guineas winner, a battalion from Ballydoyle and countless potential stars of the future who could improve no end for this step up in trip. I’ve been whittling my shortlist down all week and I’ve still got Ruling Court, Stanhope Gardens, Tornado Alert and PRIDE OF ARRAS on there.
However, it is the latter who I keep coming back to as I think the step up to 1m 4f is going to bring about bundles of improvement.
To win the Dante like he did on only his second start is some achievement, in fact, I don’t think he gets the credit he deserves for that victory because he put daylight between himself and the rest and the rest finished closely bunched which, to me, suggests he could be a class apart.
If you were to watch his debut run back you will be wondering how he won 1f out but it was that seemingly endless pit of stamina that kicked in and eventually meant he won easily.
The draw here hasn’t been too kind but as long as he doesn’t get too far back I think he simply has to be in the 3 here.
Ruling Court did the business for us in the Guineas and I can see him tanking into the straight here.
However, at 7/2, he doesn’t offer me the value I want for a horse who has to be a suspect stayer after showing so much pace in the Guineas.
Guineas 4th, Tornado Alert really impressed me after staying on again in the Newmarket classic despite at one point looking like he was about to get swamped by the field.
He definitely wants further than a mile but I’d rather see him in the Hampton Court at Ascot than a big field Derby.
Finally, Stanhope Gardens, being by Ghaiyaath, is sure to appreciate this distance, which is a big positive considering he is rated 111 despite only racing over no further than a mile so far in his career.
Ralph Beckett has 3 top-class middle-distance 3-year-olds this yea,r and it will be interesting to see which one turns out best as if you listen to the whispers, it’s Stanhope Gardens who works best at home.
However, I was too visually impressed with his stablemate at York to desert him so I’m having a good each way bet on Pride Of Arras at 5/1.
Epsom 2.45 – Democracy Dilemma / JM Jungle
Epsom 3.30 – Pride Of Arras
READ MORE: Epsom Derby Festival 2025 – Derby analysis and preview
