Derby build-up gets a shake-up as Europe's finest converge for Classic week at Epsom

Monday

The Betfred Derby countdown enters the final phase and confirmations for the Epsom Classic on Saturday will be revealed at noon.

A total of 25 remain on course for the weekend highlight, although that figure is likely to be reduced at the five-day stage.

Confirmations for the remainder of Saturday’s action, which includes the £100,000 Dash, will also be announced.

On the track, four last-time-out winners are in the feature seven-runner 2m4½f handicap hurdle (3.25) at Market Rasen. Letterston Lady takes on fellow recent scorers High Fibre, Donnie Azoff and Go Go Chicago.

The Flat fixtures in Britain are at Brighton, Windsor and Wetherby.

There is British interest in the 142nd Derby Italiano at the Capannelle (4.00), with Andrew Balding and Marco Botti represented by Our 'enery and Molveno respectively.

It’s a bank holiday in Ireland and the pick of the action is the €200,000 Gowran Classic (2.42) at Gowran Park. The Dermot Weld-trained Deressa bids for a course-and-distance hat-trick, while Inventress and Heavens Gate are also well fancied. There is also a jumps fixture at Listowel.

Tuesday

There could be a number of juveniles to follow in the 6f novice (7.15) at Lingfield, with 150,000gns purchase Balthamos and 210,000gns buy Shaatir in the six-runner contest. 

The Cheveley Park-owned Archivist fetched 600,000gns as a yearling and makes his second start for William Haggas in the mile maiden (4.17) at Leicester. New York Minute, a €400,000 purchase, is set for his first outing since being gelded last year.

The remaining action comes from Southwell over jumps and on the all-weather at Wolverhampton.

The Epsom Derby takes centre stage this weekCredit: Edward Whitaker

Wednesday

It’s a big day off the track as declarations for the Betfred Derby will be announced at 10am. 

Connections with runners in the big race will gather in Epsom for the live draw, which will use balls and containers from the official FA Cup draw to determine which stalls this year’s field will enter in the Classic.

The opening 7f maiden (4.45) at the Curragh has produced stars such as Lope Y Fernandez, Point Lonsdale and Hotazhell in recent years and there could be some top-class talent on show again.

The 1m6f handicap (7.30) could feature Group 3 winner Dawn Rising and Cheltenham Festival runner-up Sixandahalf.

Britain has Flat fixtures at Nottingham and Ripon and jumps cards at Newton Abbot and Warwick.

Thursday

Punters are treated to midweek Listed action at Leopardstown, where the King George V Cup (5.55) and Glencairn Stakes (6.25) headline a strong card.

Aidan O’Brien won the former in 2023 and 2024 with Tower Of London and Portland respectively and has options with Acapulco Bay, Galveston, Rock Of Cashel and Scandinavia.

Group 2 winner Diego Velazquez, also trained by O’Brien, is entered for the Glencairn and could make his first start of the season. He also has a number of Group 1 entries later in the year. The 2,000 Guineas sixth Green Impact is also a possible runner.

Afternoon racing in Britain takes place at Uttoxeter and Hamilton, before the day is rounded off with an all-weather fixture from Chelmsford and jumps action at Ffos Las.

Friday

It’s the first of a Classic two-day meeting at Epsom, with the Betfred Oaks (4.00) taking centre stage on a card that also includes the Group 1 Coronation Cup (2.40).

Desert Flower: 1,000 Guineas heroine favourite to win the OaksCredit: John Grossick

Desert Flower is expected to be sent off favourite in the Oaks as she bids to make it six wins from six for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin following her impressive 1,000 Guineas success at Newmarket.

Aidan O’Brien, who has won the Oaks six times since 2015, could be heavily represented, with last-time-out winners Giselle, Whirl and Minnie Hauk all having serious chances. 

Elwateen, Revoir, Qilin Queen, Wemightakedlongway and Go Go Boots all remain in contention at this stage.

O’Brien also has strong contenders for the Coronation Cup, with last year’s St Leger winner Jan Brueghel on course to feature alongside stablemate Continuous. 

However, French raider Calandagan, who finished second in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in April, remains ante-post favourite. 

The Listed Surrey Stakes (1.30) and the Woodcote Stakes (2.05) tee up a fantastic card at the track.

Meetings also take place at Bangor, Thirsk, Bath, Goodwood and Doncaster

Saturday

All eyes will be on Epsom for the Betfred Derby (3.30), which is being run in honour of His Highness Aga Khan IV.

Aidan O’Brien has dominated this Classic in recent years, winning the last two runnings with Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy, and again has serious contenders in favourite Delacroix, The Lion In Winter and Lambourn.

Can Aidan O'Brien win yet another Epsom Derby?Credit: Alan Crowhurst

Ante-post favourite Delacroix appears to be the choice of Ryan Moore and the Dubawi colt will bid to build on the promise of his Group 3 victories in the Ballysax and Leopardstown Derby Trial.

The unbeaten Pride Of Arras, who laid down his Classic claims with a stunning Dante victory at York, appears to be Delacroix’s chief rival in the betting, while the Charlie Appleby-trained Ruling Court, who struck in the 2,000 Guineas last month, is also well fancied.

Before the main event, the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes (1.00) and Group 3 Diomed Stakes (1.35) provide the early-afternoon entertainment.

Action also takes place at Musselburgh, Worcester, Doncaster, Hexham, Lingfield and Chepstow.

There is also British interest on the other side of the Atlantic with the Jamie Osborne-trained Heart Of Honor set to take on the likes of Journalism and Sovereignty in the Grade 1 Belmont Stakes, the third and final leg of the US Triple Crown. 

Sunday

The week concludes with a fantastic Goodwood card featuring two Listed events, the Agnes Keyser Fillies' Stakes (3.35) and Tapster Stakes (4.45).

The Perth Gold Cup (4.32) headlines a strong jumps card in Scotland, with the Silver Cup (3.57) providing the perfect appetiser. 

Ireland has a fixture at Punchestown.

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