With the big Epsom Classic coming up, the Weekend Winners team returns to analyze the best betting angles for Derby day.
A field of 14 runners has assembled for the Classic colts, which will start at 4pm on Saturday afternoon.
Having impressed in the Chester Vase last week, Benvenuto Cellini leads the market for Aidan O’Brien, with Item and Ballydoyle stablemate Pierre Bonnard also attracting support.
James J Braddock represents the connection of Joseph O’Brien and Kevin Blake from stall 13, while Maltese Cross and Bay Of Brilliance are also fighting for the British team.
Declan Rix…
“I see this race is very similar to the Derby won by City Of Troy [in 2024]. Ballydoyle has four horses here and for me Benvenuto Cellini and Pierre Bonnard are both confirmed stayers on this trip – they are both top class. I know ongoing data suggests that Pierre Bonnard may struggle a bit as Epsom is a strong test of stamina over twelve, but he is a brother to Crepe Suzette – whose performance improved over fourteen metres.
“I see Action and Christmas Day both going forward, setting a lot of pace for this race. I think it’s going to be well organized. Benvenuto Cellini. It’s a big thing that people will catch hot on the ground, but it won’t be as soft as what he experienced in the Futurity Stakes last year. That race was run at a solid pace and it handled the world well that day and I think it’s guaranteed to stay. There’s a lot of Frankel in him – he’s a big galloping horse. You could easily see him transitioning to Leger later on.
“Mentally, he’s rock solid and when he won the Chester – he looked like he didn’t even have a race. He came in like a lamb after putting the race to bed very quickly. Last year there were five or six horses who completely melted before the Derby – it could be the same tomorrow but this guy won’t be one of them.”
Kate Tracey…
“I’m here Benvenuto Cellini like that. I did an ante-post video for the Flat season back in October for my Guineas and Derby hopefuls. Both Guinea horses have won and my third horse was Benvenuto Cellini to win the Derby.
“I liked what he did last time in the Chester Vase as a three-year-old under penalty, coming back to a sound place. It worries me but because he’s a big, wide horse and has been running for a long time – he’s given himself time to build himself up. I like the fact that he’s the one who got the penalty to go to Epsom, although I didn’t tell him what happened because of the weather. to the same extent as the others.
Sam Boswell…
“Benvenuto Cellini’s a bit short, isn’t he? I’m not sold on him even though he looks good playing Chester, as I’m not sure what he beat that day.
“Maltese cross it will be the angle I play each way here. I like this horse very much, but the first time he was beaten by the head on soft ground at Ascot, he was not going to lose. I don’t know if it’s because William Haggas doesn’t have many runners in this race I’m promoting? I don’t see him not being involved in the end.
“He will do his best work late on and his pull in one didn’t stop City Of Troy or Adayar.”
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