Derab impresses for Derby and more Classic hopefuls in action on Saturday

The 2021 Flat season is well under way and it's full steam ahead to the first of the Irish Classics this month – and – and next month's Epsom Classics, the and .

Market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials are run in Britain and Ireland, but big-race contenders can come from anywhere and it's easy to miss a potential dark horse. Classic Clues, our new series running every morning, has you covered.

Here's a recap of Friday's action and how it impacted the Classic betting.

Racing round-up: Derab delivers at Newmarket

Derab impressed for John and Thady Gosden when getting off the mark at Newmarket. It was a first win for the son of Sea The Stars in three starts, after coming second to Snow Lantern in October.

Following a comfortable six and a half length success, Derab's Cazoo Derby odds were cut to 20-1 with Paddy Power (from 40-1).

Elsewhere, all eyes were on Snow Lantern, who could manage only third when tackling Listed company for the first time in the Fillies’ Stakes at York.

'Very exciting' - Royal Ascot Group One beckons for Ed Walker's Primo Bacio

Previously a 16-1 chance for the Cazoo Oaks with Paddy Power, Snow Lantern was pushed out to 25-1, but holds shorter odds for other potential targets. She is 14-1 for the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and 16-1 for the Coral-Eclipse in July.

Mojo Star’s half-length second at Newbury did little to change the bookmarkers’ estimations, and he was left unchanged at 66-1 with Paddy Power and Betfair for the Derby. However, bet365, who had the Richard Hannon runner at 250-1 for the Classic, shortened his odds to a more reasonable 80-1.

Market movers

Cazoo Derby

Derab 20-1 (from 40-1), bet365
Mojo Star 80-1 (from 250-1), bet365

Cazoo Oaks

Santa Barbara 2-1 (from 9-4), Paddy Power
Snow Lantern 25-1 (from 16-1), betfair
Zeyaadah 8-1 (from 10-1), betvictor
Saffron Beach 12-1 (from 33-1), Betfred

Today's racing: several Classic contenders in action

There are plenty of Classic entries to be found across the cards in Britain and Ireland today, as Newmarket, Newbury and Navan play host to Derby and Oaks contenders.

Derby fancy John Leeper, who is 16-1 for the race with bet365, runs in Listed company for the first time at Newmarket (2.05). It is the second start of the year for the Ed Dunlop-trained colt, who will be aiming to pick up another win off the back of his ready success at Newcastle.

Three other Derby hopefuls are competing alongside John Leeper, with Tasman Bay (66-1 with Paddy Power), Sea The Shells (66-1), and Flying High (100-1) all aiming to make their mark before next month.

What they said

Key preview quote

Ed Dunlop, trainer of John Leeper, favourite for 2.05 Newmarket
This will be a different test for John Leeper. Up to now he's gone in a straight line on a flat track at Doncaster and then around a bend on another flat track at Newcastle on the all-weather. The undulations on the Rowley Mile will be a bit different and he'll enjoy the juice in the ground, although we don't want it too soft.

2.05 Newbury: Is the hype about John Leeper justified? Tom Collins on a tricky Fairway Stakes

The following race (2.40) also holds two Tattersalls Irish Guineas runners, with Devilwala aiming for the Irish 2,000 Guineas, while Thank You Next holds an entry in the Irish 1,000 Guineas this month.

Newbury is the venue for some promising fillies aiming to prove their Classic credentials, notably Sea Empress, who is 8-1 for the Oaks with Paddy Power.

The William Haggas-trained runner takes on the Fillies’ Trial Stakes (4.10), aiming to continue winning ways after beating Teona in her maiden race in October.

Other runners in the Fillies' Trial include Twisted Reality (50-1 with bet365 for the Oaks) and A’Shaari (66-1).

Richard Hannon’s Happy Romance attempts to take her second Listed win on the bounce (1.50) and is 25-1 for the Commonwealth Cup at Ascot with an Irish 1,000 Guineas entry.

Confirmed runners and riders for the French 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas on Sunday

Finally, Navan stages the Listed Yeats Stakes (4.15), which contains two Aidan O’Brien runners, Wordsworth and Sir Lucan, who hold Irish 2,000 Guineas and Derby entries. Wordsworth is 16-1 with William Hill for Epsom, while Sir Lucan is a 33-1 chance.

Read a selection of our Saturday previews . . .

1.50 Newbury: 'We wanted Ryan' - why Karl Burke favoured Newbury over Newmarket for Spycatcher

2.25 Newbury: St Leger hero Logician on the comeback trail but Al Aasy poses a stern test

2.40 Newmarket: 'The bookmakers have it right' - exciting Bellosa tests Royal Ascot claims

3.00 Newbury: Another Al Kazeem or Defoe? Graeme Rodway on the London Gold Cup contenders

3.35 Newbury: Find out what John Gosden has to say about Lockinge Stakes favourite Palace Pier

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