It’s fast approaching Derby weekend at Epsom – with the main event scheduled for 16.30 on Saturday. In anticipation of arguably the most famous race in the flat calendar, top tipster Daryl Carter has his ante-post eye on the race – identifying a horse that he is very keen on that’s currently freely available at odds of 40/1. Check out his preview below, which comes alongside an exclusive offer from 888sport, which provides new customers with up to £100 in free bets.
There’s no doubt that Irish racing tends to favour those that are ridden prominently, with many of their races (flat and jumps) turning into sprints from the home turn.
That is more than frustrating for any punter casting a net across the Irish sea day to day – a reason why I tend to leave the scene alone most of the time.
It can also offer up an opportunity, and I hope that’s what it has done here in the Cazoo Epsom Derby market.
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Bolshoi Ballet was clearly the best horse at Leopardstown when scoring in the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial. Still, he was also well positioned on the front end of the pace, and his price is hardly inspiring at 7/4 – especially as he has been beaten both times travelling outside of Ireland.
The same can be said for Mac Swiney in the same race, but he was out-paced but still sits in at a very short 7/1 (ish) for the Derby – especially with the ground quickening up all the time (all wins on yielding or worse).
The big eye-catcher was SOUTHERN LIGHTS who was green out of the gates and held up on the inside running rail for much of the race. He was caught in a pocket but travelled like the best horse in the contest and was last off the bridle. He also had the weakening leader and 200/1 shot Wexford Soil, falling back through the pack into his lap as he was trying to quicken up.
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He responded extremely well to pressure but was forced to switch back inside to the running rail only to find his path blocked again.
All the talk post-race was about the well-positioned Bolshoi Ballet, but Southern Lights would have indeed finished much the best second from his unpromising position. That race is enough to suggest he is wildly over-priced at 40/1 compared to the favourite and Mac Swiney, who boosted the form next time out by winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas.
Southern Lights finished that race on the bridle and far enough off the winner to go unnoticed by the Irish commentary and pundits – the Irish love a winner and nothing else! So much so he didn’t even get a write up in the RP analysis after the race.
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He was impressive when scoring in his maiden at Leopardstown before, and after only three starts, he is open to significant improvement.
His best work was at the finish in both starts this season, so the step up in trip is likely to see him to best effect.
He looks a lively outsider in this, and I recommend a 1pt e/w ante-post bet.
Daryl Carter’s Ante-Post Derby Preview
SOUTHERN LIGHTS (Epsom Derby, 1pt each-way 40/1)
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