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Derby Day Saturday 2nd June 2012

An excellent Oaks day has setup a tremendous final day in which could see a potential superstar in the shape of Camelot, could Aiden O Brien train both the Oaks winner and Derby winner in one weekend and indeed gone on to win this years triple crown only time will tell.

To get anywhere near the heights of what Sea the Stars achieved will be a tough task and with all the hype around Frankel being one of the best horses ever to step foot on a racetrack, I want to remind you all that Sea the Stars has seemingly been forgotten a horse who won over 1m, 1m 2f, 1m 4f and who quite simply ran the greatest race I have ever seen in the Arc bar Dancing Braves gritty win from way off the pace.

Any how it could be Camelot who is the new kid on the block, or is it?

On with the card...

1.35pm Diamond Jubilee Handicap 1m 2f

Sylvester Kirk has an excellent record in this race winning two of the last four renewals. He has the Giving Tree lining up here but I believe this will be too tough a task for that horse. I'm looking at what I deem the most unexposed, has the right profile and is still on the upgrade. Using all those variables it seems to me that Jeremy Noseda has the horse to be on GRANDEUR. If you've watched the apprentice in recent weeks this name was synonymous with an English wine with a French name. A terrible idea and indeed that team lost on that day, however Noseda won't lose here he has his horses in rude health, in the last seven days he has trained five winners and looks like his yard is firing off all cylinders. The trip won't be a problem for this grey gelding and I was very impressed with his latest win at Goodwood, I'm sure this horse is progressing in the right direction with ground and track to suit.

2.05pm Invested Woodcote Stakes 6f

A competitive little sprint race this. Most of these come from the same ilk, the times over this trip are similar and the progress made by many of these is also similar. So with that in mind I'm going with a proven trainer at Epsom who had a winner yesterday with Clinical. Sir Mark Prescott turns this Ishiguru colt out very quickly after winning very easily at Carlisle the other night. I believe connections have seen that he has ability ran a good time in his last race and looks very progressive indeed. LIBER for me has the ability and speed to land this competitive stakes race.

2.40pm Coronation Cup 1m 4f

Aiden O Brien as we know is having a terrific season, the trainer is a bit of a virtuoso in the realm of training winners. The opportunity he has with owners and the breeding industry obviously helps with this but we should take nothing away from his expertise in making them run so well. ST NICHOLAS ABBEY was highly thought of as a two year and three year old, he didn't quite live up to the hype and indeed was very disappointing in the 2000 Guineas and in races thereafter. Consequently, now a five year old he is undoubtedly the class act here. The trip and ground will play into his strengths, he has the turn of foot in the finish to land this prize and I actually believe he will do this quite easily against weak opposition.

3.15pm The Dash 5f Sprint

Quite simply your cavalry charge, you need a jockey that won't miss the break a horse who is brave and a speedy type who can travel well with enough gas to land a blow in the finish. The form I'm looking at first is that of CATFISH this Brian Meehan trained bay filly will have her work cut out but with Barzelona on board and coming from the stands side I believe this speedy type has every chance. I like her most recent form when losing only by half a length to a big field at York, I'm sure she'll come on for that run and is a nice each way price currently. I'm also going with CONFESSIONAL this horse finished second to Captain Dunne in last years race and has gone up the handicap quite markedly he is in terrific form winning at Chester and running a blinder in the Temple Stakes.He does however have a dodgy draw but with good course form I see him as a real danger. The Easterby's usually have one or two at this meeting!

4.00pm The 2012 Derby 1m 4f

The greatest derby in the world with no exceptions, we really have the greatest racing in this country and this will always be a highlight of the flat season calendar. I've already backed him before today, he is a little toe rag at home so I've heard but has the class and potential to be a superstar. The breeding of this horse is excellent Manduro was an excellent top level horse between 1m 2 and 1m 4f, the owners are Highclere and they have had some excellent horses in recent years. BONFIRE is the one for me this horse had a lot in hand last time out in the Dante Stakes at York and won that with a little up his sleeve. I believe that is always a good trial for the Derby and with Andrew Balding in terrific form I can see a huge run on the cards. Camelot is a worthy favourite but is that really value? He has a great pedigree and won the guineas very well but at 4/7 on I'm looking else where.

Thats it good luck if your having a punt!

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