Epsom Day 2 Betting Tips – Channel 4 Live Races

Horse racing betting tips for each race shown live on Channel 4 from Epsom on Saturday.

 

The biggest race in the UK Flat calendar is the Epsom Derby, a race that brings together an enormous crowd on the downs and a real carnival atmosphere for Channel 4 racing to cover.

 

 

 

 

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1.35pm Epsom

 

The opener is a handicap for three year-olds over a 1m2f and looks to be a competitive little contest.

 

Mark Johnston makes the puzzle trickier by fielding three of the eleven runners with DOUBLE BLUFF (16/1 Betfred) looking to be the pick of the trio.  He was disappointing on his most recent start but a repeat of his effort the time before behind Western Hymn at Newbury would give him a solid chance.

 

Black Shadow (6/1 William Hill) did the job nicely at Goodwood last time, staying on stoutly to win a maiden impressively.  His debut on Polytrack gives the impression that he doesn't necessarily need very soft ground while a good showing from Honor Bound in the Oaks would be a nice form boost.

 

This is a considerably tougher contest than the pair of races Al Busayyir (6/1 SkyBet) has won this season but he deserves a shot stepped up in grade.  This event contains plenty of those who like to race up with the pace but also plenty with stamina to prove, no concern at all for Marco Botti's inmate.

 

Willie Haggas has an interesting pair in Yenhaab (5/1 bet365) and Flippant (9/1 bet365), both of whom should have plenty of improvement in the tank given their yard.  The former went off favourite for a similar Newmarket handicap last time when in the wrong group while the latter looks like she will appreciate the step-up in trip and could be the pick of the pair.  

 

1.35 Betting Tip – DOUBLE BLUFF (E/W) (16/1 Betfred)

 

 

 

 

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2.05pm Epsom

 

The Woodcote is a unique test for two year-olds over six furlongs.  Plenty in this race down the years have failed to adapt to the track and more are sure to fall prey to the undulations once again.

 

BAITHA ALGA (11/4 Coral) did well to come out on top at Chester last weekend, finding trouble in running before looking to win with masses in hand once finally in the clear.  He shouldn't have any problems round here with that Chester experience in the bag and should put up a brave show.

 

Ballymore Castle (11/4 Ladbrokes) also has a Chester win to his name but he looks to have a tendency to hang left, and a repeat of that down the camber here could put him in some trouble when push comes to shove but he merits respect nonetheless.

 

As with the majority of Brian Meehan's juveniles, Lightning Strike (6/1 bet365) showed masses of improvement for his debut run when winning at Leicester last time out.  On that occasion he looked like the step-up to six furlongs would suit and a win would be a huge boost for Equiano in his first crop of two year-olds.

 

Red Icon (7/1 Coral) showed improvement stepped up to this trip at Haydock making every post a winning one.  Tom Dascombe does well with this age group and that win is arguably the best form on show.

 

2.05 Betting Tip – BAITHA ALGA (WIN) (11/4 Coral)

 

 

 

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2.40pm Epsom

 

The Coronation Cup is often the first step in an older horses’ campaign with plans geared towards other major Group 1 contests later in the season. 

 

Cirrus Des Aigles (5/6 Coral) might be eight years-old now but that has proved no obstacle to him this season.  Undoubtedly the class act in the field, his beating of Treve in April is the best recent form on offer.  However, he wouldn't want the ground to dry out further and he is only 3/13 over 1m4f.

 

EMPOLI (10/1 bet365) has been a model of consistency in top class races and comes over from Germany to add extra spice to the race.  1m4f on good ground suits him perfectly while the potential battle between Battalion (33/1 Coral) and Ambivilant (14/1 Ladbrokes) for the lead should turn this into the test he needs and he represents a spot of value.

 

Flintshire (7/2 Ladbrokes) is the lightest raced in this lineup with strong form credentials, especially his massively impressive Group 1 Grand Prix De Paris win.  He was slightly unlucky in the Arc and it is very interesting that Andre Fabre brings him here for his seasonal debut rather than staying at home.

 

Talent (7/1 Betfred) boasts all important C&D winning form, earned last June when successful in the Oaks.  She improved on that in the St. Ledger when runner-up to Leading Light but she looked rather one paced stepped back down to this trip on her final start at Ascot.  

 

2.40 Betting Tip – EMPOLI (E/W)(NAP) (10/1 bet365)

 

 

 

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3.15pm Epsom

 

Given the likely underfoot conditions there will not be any world records set over the worlds fastest five furlongs but this is going to be fast and furious nonetheless.

 

Not much to choose between STEPS (9/1 Betfred) and Eton Rifles (14/1 SkyBet) on their Haydock run last weekend when they fought out the finish.  Steps had the better of the argument on that occasion as he did at Ascot last October and, although 2lbs worse off, he has a better draw and should uphold the form.  

 

Smoothtalkinrascal (8/1 William Hill) is an inconsistent type but should find things very much in his favour here.  He ran a very close second off the same mark in this race last year and came from an improbable position to score at Musselburgh in April.  The harder they go in front the better, although he will need the gaps to appear at the right time given his draw close to the rails.

 

Swan Song (14/1 William Hill) is a C&D winner and would be an appropriate winner so shortly after the death of her dam, Lochsong.  A sharp five furlongs is perfect and she wasn't seen at her best last weekend when missing the kick.

 

Caspian Prince (9/1 Betfred) is another with winning credentials over this C&D having run away with a handicap in April.  Two excellent places efforts have followed and he should go well again but he has opposition for the lead on this occasion which will make things tougher.

 

The main threat for the lead comes in the form of EVEN STEVENS (12/1 Betfred) for Scott Dixon who has the plumb rail draw.  His turf form doesn't stack up as well as his all-weather efforts but this track should play to his strengths.  He was clear at halfway at York last time and with the first half of this race coming downhill he could prove very had to peg back for talented apprentice Matthew Hopkins.  

 

3.15 Betting Tips – STEPS (E/W) (9/1 Betfred)

                        – EVEN STEVENS (E/W) (12/1 Betfred)

 

 

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4.00pm Epsom 

 

The appetisers are done with, it's time for the main course, probably the most unique test of horse and jockey of any Group 1 in the world.

 

AROD (16/1 William Hill) improved greatly stepped-up in trip this season, staying on to good effect in the Dante having found trouble.  The Grey Gatsby who won that contest franked the form in no uncertain terms when winning the French Derby at Chantilly last weekend.

 

AUSTRALIA (6/4 bet365) has been the talking horse for this race for a long time, no surprise given his regal breeding.  He ran a stormer in the 2,000 Guineas first time up this season, form that looks even stronger after Kingman bolted up in the Irish equivalent and the step up in trip is sure to suit.

 

The Derrinstown Stud trial has been a good guide to this race in recent times with the race represented by the first three home that day.  Geoffrey Chaucer (8/1 Coral) should prove best of the trio as that was his seasonal debut and he wasn't given a hard time of things while Ryan Moore has done well with Coolmore "second strings" in the past.

 

Kingston Hill (15/2 Coral) was a massively impressive winner in the Racing Post Trophy to round out 2013.  The step up in trip will be massively in his favour and he should prove better than his staying on eighth in the 2,000 Guineas.  The recent rain will have taken the sting out of the ground and there has been plenty of each-way money around for him this week.

 

Western Hymn (14/1 Ladbrokes) puts his unbeaten credentials on the line, the only such runner in the field.  He has been given a steady introduction to racing being kept out of the limelight before winning the Classic Trial at Sandown last time.  He showed signs of greeness that day on ground that was very testing.  The third hasn't done the form any harm since and there are worse each-way shouts in the race. 

 

4.00 Betting Tip – AUSTRALIA (WIN) (6/4 bet365)

                          – AROD (E/W) (16/1 William Hill)

 

 

 

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