The Epsom Derby meeting kicks off a spectacular month of horse racing in the UK. The meeting has been given fresh investment, with the makeover likely to pay dividends across both days of the festival.
On Friday, the Oaks takes centre stage, and Matty Sutcliffe has a tip in the Classic, as well as three others, for you to follow.
Epsom Racing Tips (Friday 5 June 2026)
The first day of Epsom’s revamped festival shines a spotlight purely on the Oaks, with the Coronation Cup moved to Saturday. Matty Sutcliffe has four best bets to follow, including a tip for the big race.
13:30 Epsom – Win With Zyn 3Yo “Dash” Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-100) – Call Margot 25/1 1pt EW 5 places
Gemma Tuttty won this with Blue Storm in 2024 and I suspect this will have been the plan for Call Margot after her pleasing turf reappearance for her new connections.
The daughter of Blue Storm, who also sired her winner in 2024, was evidently well regarded enough in Ireland to make her debut in Listed company when five lengths behind the subsequent Molecomb winner Lady Iman, with the 1000 Guineas winner True Love in second and the Phoenix Stakes winner Power Blue in third.
She failed to match that form in two subsequent runs, and made her debut for the yard in January when given what can only be described as a spin at Southwell. She stepped forward from that to be beaten a length having raced keenly, before reversing that form with the winner when winning a shade cosily after being short of room throughout.
Call Margot caught the eye at York last time out, faring well from an unfavourable position toward the near-side in rear to be beaten five lengths, staying on. She takes on a few of these rivals here, but they were better positioned to the fore and a patient ride from a draw towards the rail could strongly suit here, as it did with the yards winner in 2024.
14:05 Epsom – Oddschecker British EBF Woodcote Stakes (Conditions Race) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (2yo) – Hickory Lad 9/2 1pt WIN
Phil Makin hasn’t had a wealth of smart juveniles in recent years but Hickory Lad has made an excellent start to his career and strikes me as the sort who can take this.
The son of James Garfield made a promising debut when a length second to 6/4 favourite Where Love Lives at Thirsk. The pair pulled well clear of the third, and the winner franked it healthily when landing the Listed National Stakes at Sandown.
Hickory Lad then easily took a three runner affair at Musselburgh to confirm that initial promise, fending off a subsequent winner for Karl Burke.
He then shaped well behind the unbeaten Adonius when second in the Lily Agnes. The winner made all from stall one and had the perfect position throughout, whereas Hickory Lad was just slightly outpaced after tucking in for a position on the inner. He still stayed on well there once in the clear, and the fourth won very well in a valuable contest at Musselburgh last time out.
His form is among the best of these, and the step up in trip looks to suit strongly judged on that effort at Chester.
14:40 Epsom – Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Ice Max 5/1 1pt WIN
This could be a repeat of last season’s contest, except the prospect of soft ground could swing the race in favour of the second Ice Max who was too keen to justify hitting the front early enough behind the well backed Persica in this race last season.
The Dark Angel gelding has a respectable 7-22 strike rate, with all of those victories coming on a soft surface. He returned to winning ways last season when recording a career best effort to win the Autumn Mile Handicap at York off top-weight in good style, and backed that up in Listed company at Nottingham.
He failed to justify favouritism in a German group 3 on seasonal debut, but he ran an excellent race in the Huxley Stakes at Chester when staying on well for third behind Derby winner Lambourn, with Irish Champion Stakes runner up Bay City Roller in second.
He appeared to be a non-stayer over 1m2f at Goodwood behind stablemate Boiling Point, but he was only beaten a length and is 3lbs better off now. The drop back to this trip can suit, and the prospect of soft ground can see him go one better than last year’s effort.
16:00 Epsom – Betfred Oaks (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo) – Legacy Link 4/1 1pt WIN
I was wildly impressed with Legacy Link at York on seasonal debut, who won the Musidora going away in a smart manner, fending off the rallying Felicitas who looked set to go by.
The daughter of Dubawi, from the family of Frankel, made an eye-catching debut behind 1000 Guineas runner up Evolutionist at Newmarket, before reversing the form with the second there to comfortably make all at Haydock.
She was a staying on fourth in the Fillies Mile, again behind Evolutionist, with Precise franking that form in the Irish 1000 Guineas.
She looks every inch to be suited by this step up in trip for a yard who have won this three times since 2017, and is bound to step forward from York.
Matty Sutcliffe’s Tips for Friday 5 June
13:30 Epsom – Win With Zyn 3Yo “Dash” Handicap (Class 2) (3yo 0-100) – Call Margot 25/1 1pt EW 5 places
14:05 Epsom – Oddschecker British EBF Woodcote Stakes (Conditions Race) (GBB Race) (Class 2) (2yo) – Hickory Lad 9/2 1pt WIN
14:40 Epsom – Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1) (3yo+) – Ice Max 5/1 1pt WIN
16:00 Epsom – Betfred Oaks (Group 1) (Class 1) (3yo) – Legacy Link 4/1 1pt WIN
Matthew Sutcliffe’s Best Bets – Friday 5 June
FAQs
What are today’s racing tips?
Matthew Sutcliffe provides his best bets at Epsom on Friday 5 June.
When were Matthew Sutcliffe’s tips published?
Matty Sutcliffe’s racing tips were published at 10.32am on Thursday 4 June.
Who is Matthew Sutcliffe?
Matthew Sutcliffe is GGs newest contributor, often providing a value angle for his tips. He writes weekly columns for the weekend’s racing, as well as taking aim at ante-post markets at the Cheltenham Festival. Follow him on X: @MattySutcliffe
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