Warrior won’t be beaten

SAXON WARRIOR will take all the beating in today’s Investec Derby and it’s impossible to oppose him.

The Aidan O’brientrained runner, left, looked a cut above his rivals when landing the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket just under a month ago to give 19-year-old Donnacha O’brien his first Classic win.

Ryan Moore is back on board today, having missed the Guineas to ride Mendelssohn in the Kentucky Derby, and is aiming to win the race for the third time after tasting success on Workforce in 2010 and Ruler Of The World in 2013.

Just like three (Galileo, Camelot and Ruler Of The World) of O’brien’s six Derby winners, Saxon Warrior comes to Epsom undefeated and undefeated he shall remain.

Of the other runners, stands out for Dermot Weld.

The Co Kildare trainer won this race with Harzand, who is from the same family as Hazapour, in 2016 and this lad looked a class act when landing a Derby trial at Leopardstown. The fourth that day, Platinum Warrior, done the form no damage when landing a Group 3 at the Curragh last weekend.

Elsewhere on the card, looks a good bet in the Investec Diamond Stakes.

This is just his third run for David Simcock since returning from Australia, where he ran in some top class races.

He won on his second start for Simcock at Windsor last time and I can see him doing so again here.

is a very consistent performer and she can go close in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes for Roger Varian and Ryan Moore.

Second in a listed race behind Nyaleti, who has since won the German 1000 Guineas, Shenanigans should run a big race here.

In the Investec Corporate Banking “Dash” Handicap, top weight has to be worth an each-way punt.

He won this race five years ago and has finished third in the last two renewals. Although at nine years of age, a concern would be that he isn’t getting any younger.

At home, could go close in the Royal County Handicap – the feature contest at Navan this afternoon.

He’s ran a lot of races recently, but is the only course and distance winner and landed a handicap at Leopardstown eight days ago.

If all the races haven’t taken their toll, he could be victorious again.