THE Betfred Derby and Oaks are upon us and both races look sure to produce some fascinating data. A study of mile and a half races at Epsom reveals that races over this trip are won by horses who are able to show sustained speed in the home straight and record a Finishing Speed Percentage (FSP) well over 100% with the par over this trip at Epsom being 112.34%.

The inference is that jockeys ride conservatively from the stalls as they race uphill and then horses get to freewheel and save energy down the hill and round Tattenham Corner. Thereafter, the pace picks up considerably in the final half-mile and an ability to pick up and sustain speed over those final four furlongs is a crucial factor