It’s Derby Day at Epsom on Saturday and the Tote are guaranteeing £250,000 in the Placepot for it.
GG Editor Rob Plumbridge
Leg 1: 12.50pm
Leg 1 Selections: (3) Imperial Fighter (6) Kolsai
Looking for a big dividend I’m going to take on hot-favourite Highland Avenue in this, with the yard not firing right now and him being so short. Kolsai goes in for us with a very nice weight-for-age swing in the weights and hasn’t been out of the two in his four starts. I will also take a shot on four-year-old Imperial Fighter who is more than capable of improving and having a say.
Leg 2: 1.30pm
Leg 2 Selections: (2) Arrest (9) Passenger
The big one in which I’m happy to take on Augustin Rodin with Passenger who looks set to run a big race having been supplemented having been unlucky in the Dante and running well. We’ll also play the winner of that race Arrest who is drawn well and has all the credentials of a Derby sort, under Frankie Dettori.
Leg 3: 2.10pm
Leg 3 Selections: (1) Random Harvest (5) Roman mIst
A third favourite in a row I’ll take on today in Prosperous Voyage who ideally needs some cut in the ground. Roman Mist may only have won at Listed level last time, but that was his first run this year and he’s entitled to come on. At the very least we know he is in good heart. I will also play live outsider Random Harvest who gets conditions in her favour.
Leg 4: 2.45pm
Leg 4 Selections: (2) Can To Can (3) Russet Gold (7) JM Jungle
The beginning of three very tricky legs to negotiate. I want to keep Russet Gold on side in this as he has huge potential at this level. I will add in promising types JM Jungle and Newcastle scorer Can To Can who are both with trainers adept at training sprint handicappers round here.
Leg 5: 3.20pm
Leg 5 Selections: (1) Silky Wilkie (9) Ancient Times (12) Lord Riddiford
The proverbial minefield. We have to get three in here and the eye is immediately drawn to course winner Ancient Times who gets a handy claim of 7lbs from the jockey. Silky Wilkie is all class and sure to give his running, despite the top weight. At a bigger price Lord Riddiford can run a big one under Marco Ghiani.
Leg 6: 3.55PM
Leg 6 Selections: (2) Torito (9) Fox Journey
Fox Journey looks like exactly the type of runner that Sir Michael Stoute excels with through the handicap ranks. He was a convincing winning a Newmarket handicap last time and should have loads more to come.
Torito looks the least exposed here and will improve again for just his fourth start.
Suggested Placepot
Leg 1 Selections: (3) Imperial Fighter (6) Kolsai
Leg 2 Selections: (2) Arrest (9) Passenger
Leg 3 Selections: (1) Random Harvest (5) Roman Mist
Leg 4 Selections: (2) Can To Can (3) Russet Gold (7) JM Jungle
Leg 5 Selections: (1) Silky Wilkie (9) Ancient Times (12) Lord Riddiford
Leg 6 Selections: (2) Torito (9) Fox Journey
144 Lines @ 20p per line = £28.80