DERBY IS REAL CLIFFS HANGER
Market leaders hard to split
THE bookmakers cannot separate Cliffs Of Moher and Cracksman at the top of the market in today’s Epsom Derby, which is live on ITV at 4.30.
We go 4-1 for each of the two market leaders.
Cliffs Of Moher is our biggest liability in the 1m 4f showpiece after we laid several chunky bets following his Chester success in May.
If the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt follows in the hoofprints of Ruler Of The World, who also completed a Chester/Epsom double in 2013, it will have us reaching deep into our satchels to pay out.
The John Gosden-trained Cracksman has valuable experience around this unique track which is a massive string to his bow and there are plenty of shrewd judges around who think this could give him the edge.
He appeals as the more solid punting option.
Others backed in an extremely compelling field include Capri, who has been popular each-way at 10-1.
And then there is Eminent, a very lively contender from the Martyn Meade yard, who has always been strong at 7-1 after his Breakfast With The Stars work-out.
This son of Frankel should be overlooked at your peril, as could 12-1 chance Best Solution, who bids to become the first colt to carry the Brett Williams looks at all the weekend racing action Godolphin blue to success in this race and could not have been more impressive in the Lingfield Derby Trial last time out.
From 10am, Stan James will be top price for all runners in racing’s Blue Riband event.
Our ambassador Richard Hannon saddles the favourite in the 3.10 Diomed Stakes in the shape of 7-2 shot Oh This Is Us, who showed great tenacity to win a Listed race at Haydock on his last appearance and thoroughly deserves this step up in grade.
His other runner, 6-1 chance Kool Kompany, boasts very strong claims on his extremely good juvenile form.
Don’t blink otherwise you will miss the Epsom Dash which goes to post at 3.45 where Duke Of Firenze and Desert Law are our 7-1 joint jollies.
Both won on their latest starts but in a race of this nature, so much is down to luck in running.
This has not, however, put punters off backing El Astronaute at 8-1 and Excessable at a massive 25-1 for trainer Tim Easterby’s Malton yard.
Both runners are seeking to complete a three-timer.
But the handicapper has had his say and each of them are much higher in the weights this time around.