ITV Racing - Epsom Derby Day Preview - 04/07/20

Owen Burrows had a nice winner of the King George V Stakes at Royal Ascot and he looks to have a brilliant chance of opening Epsom Derby day with a winner in the Woodcote Stakes.

Twaasol is by Adaay and a half brother to the once 100 rated Deputise so he is bred to be pretty useful and his debut performance at Windsor was impressive.

He took on horses with experience and looked in trouble 2f out but his finishing power was too much for his rivals, even despite him drifting out to the left of the track.

The near side can be a big advantage at Windsor as can being prominent so we feel this colt's 16/1 victory can be marked up further.

Safe Voyage is the one most likely to benefit from the recent rainfall in this tight looking handicap. This 7-y-o had a terrific record with some juice in the ground and the form of his seasonal debut has been stacking up nicely.

He sandwiched Space Blues who has since won the Prix De La Porte Maillot Stakes over in France and Happy Power, who followed up with an excellent second to Limato in the Criterion Stakes at Newmarket last week.

Daarik is a potential improver as a John Gosden 4-y-o but he has to prove himself on both turf and soft conditions.

This is a tricky looking handicap with Desert Icon the obvious favourite having won by 8l last time out.

The William Haggas horse will prove popular with punters however he has never raced away from good ground, and all of his victories have come with firm in the going description.

At 5/2 he looks opposable and we have landed on 10/1 shot Tinandali, who recently switched to David O'Meara from Dermot Weld. This gelding has to improve on what he achieved on UK debut but the yard's horses have been stepping forward for the run.

Jim Crowley booked.

Aidan O'Brien's horses have to be feared but Love is short enough with question marks around her seeing out the trip and Ennistymon, who does rate a solid e/w bet, is unlikely to improve past Frankly Darling if the selection has learnt to settle.

The Frankel filly had no right to kick clear in the Ribblesdale having pulled so hard in the early stages so she is obviously a top class animal and should take all the beating if Frankie can switch her off.

If she does burn that energy again then admittedly the Epsom finish could prove difficult.

This filly is a full-sister to Benbatl and she has shown plenty of promise in her two career starts.

She won with loads in hand whilst giving weight to the favourite last time out and the clock backs up what was visually pleasing.

The step up in grade means she has something to prove but a rating of 100 after winning two maidens speaks volumes.

It is hardly a vintage renewal of the Derby and with many of the usual trials not taking place we have less information to utilise, but at an each-way price with four places on offer Russian Emperor looks the solid option.

This exceptionally-bred Galileo colt showed fierce staying power over 1m on heavy ground at Naas looking every bit a Derby contender and his subsequent second can be forgiven having come on the quickest ground they will get in Ireland this season.

He returned to form on a slightly easier surface in the Hampton Court at Ascot where he stayed best having took a wide path. This for us proves he will relish the Epsom test and last year's winning jockey takes the ride.