Bolshoi Ballet 'certain' to start Derby favourite as Teona shortens for Oaks

It's full steam ahead to this week's Epsom Classics, the Cazoo Derby and Cazoo Oaks, and Classic Clues, our series running every morning, has you covered. Here's a recap of the latest Classic news and how it's impacted the big-race betting.

O'Brien drops Moore hint for Bolshoi Ballet

Cazoo Derby favourite Bolshoi Ballet shortened at the head of the market on Sunday as his trainer Aidan O'Brien hinted that stable jockey Ryan Moore may find it hard to jump off the Derrinstown Derby Trial winner.

O'Brien was speaking on Luck on Sunday and said that it would be "very hard" for Moore to ride one of his other stars in the race, with jockey bookings to be decided early this week.

Bolshoi Ballet has been the strong favourite for the Derby since his demolition job at Leopardstown earlier this month and he heads the betting at 6-4 (from 15-8) with Coral to give his trainer a record-extending ninth win in the race.

Stablemate High Definition is next in the betting at a best-priced 4-1, with Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney and John Leeper available at 11-2 and 7-1.

Coral's David Stevens said: "Bolshoi Ballet is certain to start favourite for the Cazoo Derby following his two wins this season.

"With Aidan O'Brien strongly hinting that Ryan Moore will be on board the Derrinstown winner on Saturday, the colt's position at the head of the betting will only be cemented."

Cazoo Derby card and betting

Teona shortens for Oaks as Varian tightens grip

While fellow O'Brien-trained Santa Barbara remains solid at the top of the Cazoo Oaks betting, the Roger Varian-trained Teona has been cut to 6-1 (from 7) for Classic glory on Friday.

Out of Group 1-winning mare Ambivalent, Teona was a striking winner at Newcastle last November and lost little in defeat when third in the Musidora Stakes, in which she raced too freely.

She will be one of three representatives for Varian in the Oaks, with the Shadwell-owned Zeyaadah also bound for Epsom having finished second in the Cheshire Oaks on her latest start as well Lingfield Oaks Trial second Save A Forest.

Cazoo Oaks card and betting

Youth Spirit owner seeking Epsom redemption

Ahmad Al Shaikh will be in attendance at Epsom on Saturday as Youth Spirit bids to take the Dubai-based owner one place better in the Cazoo Derby.

Shaikh is the owner of Khalifa Sat, who finished second behind shock winner Serpentine when sent off at 50-1 last year but has a more fancied chance this time around with Chester Vase hero Youth Spirit.

The son of Camelot finished fourth in the Feilden Stakes on his return but relished the step up in trip when winning the Group 3 at Chester earlier in the month.

He is a best-priced 33-1 for the Derby and the owner is spending a period of quarantine to be in attendance on the Downs.

Read more Epsom news:

'He has tactical speed and a change of gear' – Youth Spirit team back for more

'She's in a good place' – Adam Kirby delighted with Oaks hope Saffron Beach

Aidan O'Brien: 'It will be hard for Ryan Moore to overlook Bolshoi Ballet'

Homebred win would be 'so special' for Shadwell as Zeyaadah leads Epsom assault (Members' Club)

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