Derby festival big-race tips: why this horse can win the Derby or Oaks at Epsom
It's another Classic weekend with Epsom hosting the Betfred Oaks (4.30) on Friday and the Betfred Derby (1.30) on Saturday. Here our experts provide their best bets for the two big races . . .
Betfred Oaks (4.30 Epsom, Friday)
Savethelastdance is a solid favourite following a staggering trial win but since 2012 Aidan O'Brien has had two winners and a third from his 22 horses in the Oaks priced 16-1 or bigger and Red Riding Hood looks a great each-way contender. The ability is clearly there. She finished a close third in the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes at Naas which was encouraging given she pulled hard in the early stages and looked inexperienced at the finish.
She is only going to improve and future entries suggest she is thought highly of. Was finished third in that same trial before causing a 20-1 upset in the Oaks in 2012. Perhaps a similar path can prove successful.
James Stevens, West Country correspondent
She may be a short price but it was hard not to be impressed by the way Savethelastdance won the Cheshire Oaks. With an American pedigree there’s every chance she will be even better suited by the quicker surface she will encounter here.
Stuart Redding, tipster
Soul Sister can provide Frankie Dettori with his seventh Oaks victory with her four-length success in the Musidora the strongest form on offer. She beat a strong field that day, with the second Novakai a Group 1 runner-up at two and the fourth Midnight Mile filled that same position in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. This daughter of Frankel remains lightly raced and is open to plenty of improvement.
David Griffiths, reporter
Savethelastdance and Soul Sister won their respective trials in good fashion and are deservedly short in the market, but I'm willing to chance the once-raced Maman Joon at a big price. Being beaten nine and a half lengths on your sole start may not scream 'Oaks winner', but that was behind a soft-ground-loving winner and Maman Joon made eyecatching headway on the bridle before not quickening in the conditions.
That performance along with her pedigree – she's a half-sister to good-ground winners Candleford and Atty Persse – suggest she should relish quick ground. She is clearly well thought of by connections who had the 50-1 Derby runner-up Mojo Star, also a maiden heading into that race in 2021, and 50-1 is worth an each-way go.
Harry Wilson, reporter
Betfred Derby (1.30 Epsom, Saturday)
His defeat in the 2,000 Guineas was a huge disappointment but I’m keeping the faith with Auguste Rodin. The colt looked high class last season, especially when brushing aside Epictetus in the Futurity at Doncaster in October. If his genius trainer Aidan O’Brien is happy to put a line through his comeback run then I’m not going to argue.
Stuart Redding, tipster
A big eyecatcher in the Dante, Passenger was then supplemented for £85,000 and his connections can reap the rewards for that gamble given that was only his second start and further improvement is very likely. That looked the best Derby trial in terms of depth, and in what looks a very open year, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained son of Ulysses may well prove a cut above. Waipiro and The Foxes can chase him home. Both seem well balanced and agile types who should be suited by the unique demands of this track.
David Griffiths, reporter
I expect the Dante will work out to be a very hot race this season and Passenger looked to travel like by far the best horse in it. Every door seemed to slam shut on him and Richard Kingscote but he finished well in the circumstances and looks a prime Derby contender. He strikes me as a seriously classy colt who continues to improve while I'd be fairly confident the challenges of the track will be fine for him, as will the trip.
James Stevens, West Country correspondent
My one worry before the Dante was whether White Birch, whose victory in the Ballysax Stakes had come on heavy ground, would handle the quicker conditions, and I was glad to see that he did. To come from where he did at the back of the pack and be beaten just a neck was eyecatching, especially as he was one of the first off the bridle.
He was finishing quicker than most at York and looked better the further he went in a race that is sure to work out well. There's no doubt in my mind he'll stay a mile and a half. I can't believe there's so much difference between White Birch and Passenger in the market, even if Sir Michael Stoute's horse was unlucky when finishing a length and a quarter behind in third. He is overpriced and could make it a special day at Epsom for Colin Keane and John Murphy.
Harry Wilson, reporter
Derby festival at Epsom: best betting offers
- TODAY'S BEST OFFER: Paddy Power are giving away free bets to new and existing customers. Sign up here
- bet365 have a new customer offer available and you can sign up here. Existing customers can also claim super boosts on the biggest events
- Sky Bet are offering new customers free bets when they sign up. They are also the kings of money-back offers on racing. Sign up here
- Betfair have lots of daily offers, extra places and money-back specials as well as free bets for new customers. Sign up here
- New William Hill customers can claim free bets plus weekly 'Epic Odds' boosts on the major events. Sign up here
- Get free bets from Ladbrokes if you sign up to a new account. Sign up here
- Sign up for a new Coral account today to claim a free bet. Sign up here
- If you're a new customer, Tote will give you free bets when you create a new account. Sign up here to claim
- Commercial notice: This article contains affiliate links. Offers are handpicked and come from operators that our experts have first-hand experience of. Opening an account via one of these links will earn revenue for the Racing Post, which will be used to continue producing our award-winning coverage of horseracing.
Read more . . .
2023 Betfred Oaks at Epsom: the runners, the odds, the verdict
Confirmed runners and riders for the Betfred Oaks at Epsom - plus a big-race tip and draw details
Do you want £200+ of free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.
Published on 1 June 2023inDerby festival
Last updated 13:07, 1 June 2023
Copy- Crypto Force '50-50' to run in Prix Ganay on Sunday as Amo Derby hopeful Dallas Star features at second entry stage for Epsom
- 'We enjoyed it every bit as much as the first' - Aidan O'Brien still on cloud nine and Curragh could be next for Auguste Rodin
- Roger Varian: Derby defeat for King Of Steel 'a stronger disappointment' than Kingston Hill in 2014
- Watch: from the ridiculous to the sublime at Epsom, the Derby in review | The Front Page
- Animal Rising protester to remain in custody after being refused bail at magistrates' court
- Crypto Force '50-50' to run in Prix Ganay on Sunday as Amo Derby hopeful Dallas Star features at second entry stage for Epsom
- 'We enjoyed it every bit as much as the first' - Aidan O'Brien still on cloud nine and Curragh could be next for Auguste Rodin
- Roger Varian: Derby defeat for King Of Steel 'a stronger disappointment' than Kingston Hill in 2014
- Watch: from the ridiculous to the sublime at Epsom, the Derby in review | The Front Page
- Animal Rising protester to remain in custody after being refused bail at magistrates' court