LETS DASH ON EPSOM DERBY DAY

A super day of racing at Epsom on Derby Day.

It is the Epsom Dash that we target this afternoon with a max field of 20 runners declared. The rain yesterday has thrown a spanner in the works but we rely on a proven course performer as well as an inform runner.

We back two agasint the field with extra places on offer by most of the bookies. Skybet are standout offer 7 places!

Sunday Sovereign has been well backed but is the most likely winner in my book. He arrives here back in good form having finished second to Pendleton at York. At York Sunday Sovereign led for most of the race only for his run to flatten out nearing the line handing the initiative to the stouter staying sprinter Pendleton. Epsom offers the fastest turf spring course in the world and is ideal for Sunday Sovereign ridden by Silvestre De Sousa. The icing on the cake is his plum high draw in stall 19 with the string of trainer Tim Easterby remaining in great form.

Caspian Prince has been withdrawn this morning due to ground, so we switch to another old timer in Duke of Firenze. This horse has won over course and distance and finished an unlucky third behind Caspian Prince in the 2016 Dash. He has sneaked into this race at the foot of the weights off a rating of 78 which is a pound above his official rating. That leaves this classy performer carrying a featherweight of 8 stone with David Egan booked to ride. Duke of Firenze showed he retains plenty of ability when third here beaten ¾L behind Recon Mission in April. The heavy ground did not suit last time out at Catterick, and we can expect a bold run today. The ground will dry up throughout the day and could be on the good side later in the afternoon. Duke of Firenze has a decent draw in stall 12 and if getting some luck in running can power through the field late to grab the spoils.

Epsom - 3:45

1/2 Point Each Way Sunday Sovereign 9/2 Paddy Power & William Hill, both paying 6 places.

1/2 Point Each Way Duke of Firenze 28/1 Skybet paying 7 places.

Compare Odds at Epsom Downs Saturday 15:45 Betting Odds- Winner | Horse Racing | Oddschecker