Epsom Saturday

1.30 Betfred Tattenham Corner Stakes (Group 3) 7f 3yd

Never So Brave is the best horse in this race, but he has shown all his best form on quick ground, and further showers on Saturday morning will not help his cause. The difficulty if you want to oppose the market leader is that there isn’t an obvious alternative who ticks all the boxes, with Alcantor racing at a trip which looks sharp enough on balance and Ten Bob Tony disappointing without excuse at Haydock last time.

Balmacara has it all to do on ratings, but will find the ground to his liking and finished ahead of both Poet Master and Ten Bob Tony when third to Lake Forest at Haydock last month. He was third in the Surrey Stakes on his only previous outing here in 2024 and, while that form needs improving upon, he should get the run of things from the front and may well be good enough to sneak a place.

2.05 Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3) 1m 113yd

Sparks Fly was third in what looked a stronger renewal last year and ought to go close with easy ground suiting her well. She ran well on form when a close fourth to Lambourn in the Huxley Stakes at Chester last month and should get the run of the race from stall two here.

Shes Perfect was controversially demoted after finishing first past the post in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at Longchamp last spring and would have a big chance if in the same form, but she’s been seen only once since – when down the field in the Prix de Diane – and the ground was much quicker than the official at Longchamp, raising questions about whether she will be as effective on a softer surface.

2.40 Coolmore Coronation Cup (Group 1) 1m 4f 6yd

Calandagan proved slightly disappointing when beaten by Jan Brueghel in this race last year, perhaps finding the track unsuitable, but also not well served by ground with soft in the description, and he’s opposable again for all he’s a cut above today’s rivals under ideal conditions.

Jan Brueghel has obvious enough claims, as does stablemate Lambourn, who landed the Derby in impressive style 12 months ago with some ease in the ground. I was tempted by the latter, but if you were impressed by his win in the Huxley Stakes at Chester last month, then you have to give Bay City Roller a big chance, with the latter conceding 5lb to Lambourn that day and beaten just a neck.

He was penalised for his easy win in the Grosser Preis von Bayern (mile and a half, soft) at the back-end of last season and again ran well to be second to Almaqam in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He’ll appreciate the return to a mile and a half and any more rain will be very much in his favour.

3.15 Betfred ‘Dash’ Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 5f

The draw in the ‘Dash’ is not as important as the ability to sustain speed on the downhill course, which is the fastest five furlongs in the world, and Democracy Dilemma looks to have a tremendous each-way chance having dropped below the mark off which he was runner-up in this contest two years ago, while he’s won three of five starts when wearing a first-time or refitted visor (i.e. didn’t wear the headgear on his most recent start).

A draw in stall three may put some off, but with none of those around him having notable early speed, the draw is perfect to ensure this front-runner gets an uninterrupted passage through the race, and that could prove all important.

Eclairage is another with blinding early speed and Danny Murphy’s filly ran a cracker on her first start since a breathing operation, when just touched off at Navan last time. The stiff finish just counted against her there, but she will be better for the run and looks absolutely ideal for this sharp test. I’ll be backing both to decent stakes and hope they can have the race between them from the start.

4.00 Betfred Derby (Group 1) 1m 4f 6yd

With the first turn in the Derby a slight right-handed one, the draw tends to favour those drawn high over low, although both Adayar and City Of Troy managed to win from the previously-cursed stall one. Despite that, seven of the last 10 winners have been drawn nine or higher and it’s especially hard for those drawn low who want to race handily, having to cover extra ground in order to avoid being trapped on the rail behind the pace-setters.

All of the main contenders this year have emerged from traditional Derby trials, with Chester Vase winner Benvenuto Cellini arguably the one to have enhanced his reputation most in victory when landing the Chester Vase, although Item impressed when beating Action in the Dante and the Lingfield Derby Trial saw Maltese Cross and Bay Of Brilliance separated by a neck and looked an above-average renewal.

The Ballysax and the Leopardstown Derby Trial have been excellent guides in the past, although perhaps not so much in the current era, with Aidan O’Brien happy to use Chester as a preference. James J Braddock and Christmas Day won the Leopardstown Derby Trial and the Ballysax respectively, with highly-regarded Pierre Bonnard beaten in both races to see his reputation dented.

Christmas Day was then beaten in the Dante, which suggests the York race is the best trial, but it’s possible to make excuses for him given he looked less happy on fast turf on the Knavesmire than he did on softer at Leopardstown. I must admit to being impressed with the physicality of Benvenuto Cellini at Chester and the son of Frankel proved his stamina with his Chester Vase romp, for all he may not have beaten much compared to Item’s Dante win.

Item was withdrawn from the Futurity last season because of soft ground, which is a slight concern, for all yielding turf ought to be no issue; of more concern is a draw in stall three, which may force him to work harder than ideal to maintain a good pitch, or be forced to come from off the pace, which will need the leaders to go off too hard.

With going, stamina, physique and draw all positives, it’s hard to get away from Benvenuto Cellini, and Aidan O’Brien’s favourite looks hard to oppose all things considered.

4.40 Cherryfield Lester Piggott Handicap 1m 2f 17yd

The draw is more likely to suit those drawn low with the start so much closer to Tattenham Corner and Hell Yeah He Did is just preferred to Allegresse.

Ralph Beckett is in fine form right now and Hell Yeah He Did advertised his claims when winning a traditionally hot maiden at Nottingham on his final start last year, seeming to relish the extended mile on soft ground, and sure to improve again this term, with the 10 furlongs of this contest looking perfect for his return.

He did, in fact, try this trip at Pontefract on his penultimate start, staying on late to be beaten less than a length behind the useful Galilean Quality, who has won two of his three subsequent starts.

Allegresse would have been the selection on quicker ground and isn’t easily ruled out, having shaped better than the result on his Goodwood reappearance.

A dual winner at a mile last year, he represents the connections who have won this race with Swilcan Bridge and Drochaid in recent years, and local owners Mick and Janice Mariscotti love to have a winner at this meeting.

Recommended

Bay City Roller 2.40 Epsom - 1pt win @ 20/1 (general)

Democracy Dilemma 3.15 Epsom - 1pt e/w @ 11/1 (Hills; 9/1 general - 5 places)

Eclairage 3.15 Epsom - 1pt e/w @ 9/1 (general - 5 places)

Benvenuto Cellini 4.00 Epsom - 2pts win @ 2/1 (general)

Rory recommended Blue Courvoisier last week at 14/1.