17 in the Epsom Derby

Epsom, Saturday 4 June: The English Derby winner will be decided from 17 contenders at Epsom Racecourse today. The £1.5 million classic is run over 2420 metres and will start at fifth (5.30pm).

Charlie Appleby and Godolphin won for the second time as a team last year through Adayar (2018) and the success story could continue today. Nations Pride (William Buick), Walk Of Stars (James Doyle) and Nahanni (Adam Kirby) are the names of the three hopefuls for the Royal Blues. The former is one of the favourites after his superior win over Hoo Ya Mal (David Probert) at List level in Newmarket. Sir Michael Stoute, who last took the Blue Riband to his stable twelve years ago with Workforce, saddles the favourite in the Dante Stakes (Group 2), Desert Crown (Richard Kingscote). Royal Patronage (Jason Hart) held up magnificently when clearly beaten for second. Aidan O`Brien is well remembered as a Derby `winner` in the recent past through Serpentine, Anthony Van Dyck and Wings of Eagles. Trying to follow in their footsteps is Stone Age (Ryan Moore), who showed not a hint of weakness in winning the Derby Trial (Group 3) over Glory Daze (Ronan Whelan) to remain unbeaten this year. Chester Vase (Group 3) winner Changingoftheguard (Wayne Lordan) and the day`s successful Star Of India (Seamie Heffernan) are also registering early chances for the Ballydoyle quarter. Piz Badile (Frankie Dettori) pinned the Ballysax Stakes (Group 3) to his banner and, like Westover (Rob Hornby) who ran strongly in the Classic Trial (Group 3), is being traded at three-figure odds.

Emily Upjohn the horse to beat in the Oaks

Epsom, Friday, June 3: The two-day Derby Festival begins today at Epsom with the Oaks (5th race/5.30pm/550,000 pounds/2420m) taking center stage. Highly traded is John and Thady Gosden`s Emily Upjohn (Frankie Dettori), who proved her great class in the Musidora Stakes (Group 3) and came out superior. Hardly rated lower is training companion Nashwa (Hollie Doyle), who played `cat and mouse` with her opponents in the Fillies Trial at Newbury. In the running are three mares owned by Aidan O`Brien. Tuesday (Ryan Moore) and Concert Hall (Seamie Heffernan) placed last in the Irish 1000 Guineas. The former was also ahead in the English equivalent. Thoughts Of June (Wayne Lordan) won at List level at Chester against Above The Curve, who was later ahead in the Prix Saint-Alary (Group 1) at Longchamp.

In the Coronation Cup (3rd race/16.10pm/445,000 pounds/2420m) Pyledriver (Frankie Dettori) tries to defend his title from last year. Most recently, the five-year-old finished fourth in the Dubai Sheema Classic (Group 1). At the same time, Manobo (William Buick) contested his last race in the Dubai Gold Cup (Group 2), where he finished a strong second. Together with High Definition (Ryan Moore), who was narrowly beaten in the Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1), he is among the closest favorites.

Vintage under the saddle

Paris-Vincennes, Friday, June 3: The saddle cracks are in focus today in Vincennes. In the five-year-old Prix Victor Cavey (3rd race/19.33/120,000 euros/2700m), Hirondelle du Rib (Jean Dersoir) should be the winner after her recent Group 2 honors ahead of Hilyrose d`Icelea (Mathieu Mottier), Happy and Lucky (Adrien Lamy), Hytte du Terroir (Leo Abrivard) and Hera de Banville (Benjamin Rochard). Eric Raffin, who is in over-form, will steer Hallix, who is competing again in her special discipline after two unsuccessful attempts in front of the sulky. Best remembered is her honorable mention in the Prix du President de la Republique (Group 1) two lengths behind the sovereign Hirondelle du Rib.

The one year younger `I` yearling is under order in the Prix Lavater (6th race/21.15pm/120,000 euros/2700m). Ici C`Est Paris (David Thomain) meets again Ines des Rioults (Florian Desmigneux), who made short work of the Allaire stallion in the Prix Henri Balliere (Group 2). Ideal Jibay (Jean Dersoir), who impressively won the Mauquenchy, could intervene in the new duel, but Indigo du Poret (Eric Raffin), who showed up in the Prix Louis Le Bourg (Group 2), is also a candidate for the front.