Derby mover: Mac Swiney backed into 9-1 (from 12) for Epsom before Sunday trial

The 2021 Flat season is well under way and it's full steam ahead to the first of the Irish Classics this month – the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas and Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas – and next month's Epsom Classics, the Cazoo Derby and Cazoo Oaks.

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 news and the impact it made on Classic betting.

Racing round-up: support for Swiney

Last season's Vertem Futurity Trophy winner Mac Swiney was backed into 9-1 (from 12) for the Cazoo Derby with Paddy Power on Friday after he was declared for Sunday's Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial (3.15) at Leopardstown.

The Jim Bolger-trained colt takes on another leading Derby contender in Bolshoi Ballet in the 1m2f Group 3.

Mac Swiney was a three-time winner from six starts at two, including a victory in the Futurity Stakes at the Curragh.

Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield said: "Connections were talking about Mac Swiney being their Derby horse after he won a high-class maiden at the Curragh last July from Wembley.

"He went into the winter as a strong contender for the Epsom Classic having scooped the Vertem Futurity and punters have now decided he was too big a price given the comparisons made with illustrious stable companion and 2,000 Guineas hero Poetic Flare."

Results, replays and analysis

Market movers

Cazoo Derby

Mac Swiney 9-1 (from 12), Paddy Power
John Leeper 16-1 (from 25), Paddy Power

Cazoo Oaks

Technique 20-1 (from 25), Betfair Sportsbook

What they said

Martyn Meade, trainer of Technique, favourite for the Lingfield Oaks Trial
Technique ran very well against the colts at Epsom. The step up in trip at Lingfield should suit her well. The Oaks has always been the long-term plan with her, but no final decision has been made. Hopefully she'll go close on Saturday. She certainly handled Epsom well, which is a huge plus in terms of a possible Oaks run and this race at Lingfield.

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Adayar, favourite for the Lingfield Derby Trial
Adayar has definitely come forward for his Sandown run and the step up in trip at Lingfield should bring further improvement. I’m not worried by the ground or weather forecast, which suggests there could be plenty of rain. He's a big horse but he seems well balanced and I'm hopeful he'll handle the track. We're all in the same boat in testing the water for the Derby and I'd like to think Adayar can prove himself a real contender.

Today's racing: all eyes on Lingfield

Lingfield's Derby and Oaks trials take centre stage on Saturday with Adayar and Technique heading the betting for the two Listed contests.

Adayar (2.50) finished second in Sandown's Classic trial last month and is a best price 14-1 to win the Derby with William Hill.

He hails from the yard of Charlie Appleby, who landed the Classic with Masar in 2018.

Kyprios – 25-1 for the Derby with bet365 – and 50-1 shot Carlisle Bay represent Aidan O'Brien in a race he won with subsequent Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck in 2019. They sport cheekpieces for the first time.

Anapurna completed the Lingfield trial-Oaks double in 2019, while 2016 scorer Seventh Heaven landed the Irish Oaks.

Technique (2.15) is a general 20-1 hope for the Oaks and finished second in the Blue Riband trial at Epsom last month. Ocean Road, Divinely, Save A Forest and Sherbet Lemon are the other Oaks entries in the nine-runner event.

There could be some Oaks clues on offer at Naas, where Friday's Chester Cup-winning trainer Dermot Weld runs Emaniya (2.40), 40-1 for the Oaks with William Hill, in the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes.

She takes on two Ballydoyle Oaks entries in Willow, a general 33-1 shot, and 50-1 chance High Heels in the 1m2f event.

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Read more Saturday previews:

2.15 Lingfield: 'gorgeous filly' Ocean Road to test Oaks mettle for Hugo Palmer

2.30 Ascot: 'He's in great shape' – Crisford bullish about Without A Fight for Buckhounds

2.50 Lingfield: is there a genuine Epsom contender ready to pounce in the Derby Trial?

3.40 Ascot: high numbers could hold sway in Victoria Cup puzzle if forecast rain arrives

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