Who wins the derby? Horse-by-horse guide for Epsom on Saturdays UK News

Join the more than 70,000 people who wrap themselves around a unique course and soak up the effervescence of an occasion full of excitement.

That atmosphere was silenced last year when the first coronavirus lockdown forced the race behind closed doors.

But as the restrictions continue to be relaxed, around 4,000 will be allowed to Epsom for renewal this Saturday. And by next year, normalcy should have resumed, with crowds basking in the tradition of what remains one of the most famous races in the world and what is still the most prestigious flat race in win in the British calendar, despite annual attempts to denigrate it.

For now, most of us will be watching on ITV or Racing TV, sitting on the couch, so to help you find the winner here is my potted guide to all the racers in the 1.125million Pound Classic, sponsored. for the first time by online car retailer Cazoo.

Leading trainer Aidan O’Brien and main owners Coolmore kicked off an 11th hour, an explosive key in the works by declaring just one of their planned six runners, namely the Bolshoi Ballet favorite.

Perhaps this is in response to the sickening and ridiculous criticism they are directed for their domination of the race in recent years (six of the last nine winners). Maybe it’s because they have unwavering faith in the Bolshoi Ballet and don’t need to complicate matters.

But given that four of their last five Derby winners since 2012 have been colts not seen as their number one in the race, it’s a curious change in policy.

Since 2004, O’Brien has saddled only one horse. And there is no doubt that the removal of High Definition, Van Gogh and, to a lesser extent, Kyprios, deprived Saturday’s contest of considerable interest.

Champion coach John Gosden and champion jockey Oisin Murphy are also notable for their absence, but it is encouraging to see that ten different yards are represented.

Each horse here is listed in the order of the race card, with its odds at time of printing and the name of the trainer. Comments are made on the assumption that the ground at Epsom, on the 40th anniversary of the Shergar Demolition Derby in 1981, will be good, almost quick. Good luck!

CAZOO DERBY (1m4f, 3 years old foals, Saturday, Epsom 4.30)

1 ADAYAR (Charlie Appleby, 40/1)

A tall, lanky colt who could be Operation Godolphin’s third string, but finished a solid second in two Derby trials this spring at Sandown and Lingfield. However, he negotiated the descent down the straight at Lingfield like a crab, which doesn’t bode well for similar contours at Epsom. Additionally, relations made the bizarre decision to dump champion jockey Oisin Murphy, who was originally booked for the ride, and replace him with Adam Kirkby, as he also received the draw of a coffin.

2 BALLET BOLCHOI (Aidan O’Brien, 11/10)

Favorite auction to give O’Brien and his Coolmore owners their ninth Derby, and master Galileo his sixth on the 20th anniversary of his own success at Epsom in 2001. This colt was a very ordinary 2 year old but s’ is propelled to the top of the middle of Ballydoyle. pecking order by convincingly winning Ireland’s two most trusted Derby events this spring. The form of these races is mixed, and he’s not entirely sure how he will fare with fast ground on Saturday, but as a full brother to a horse that finished third in the St Lightweight, he should stay the trip, even though he seemed to wobble a bit after hitting his forehead the last time. Jockey Ryan Moore is aiming for his third Derby, but his first since 2013.

3 EQUIPMENT (Mark Johnston, 50/1)

The fiery Scottish flag bearer Mark Johnston, who is the most successful trainer in British racing history, but has never approached Derby glory and has not won a classic since 2004. This robust colt and persevering won a France group race as a youngster and actually had Saturday’s favorite, the Bolshoi Ballet, beaten well that day. But he may have been flattered because it was on difficult terrain that many of his rivals couldn’t handle, and he was disappointing in his seasonal reappearance when he was only fifth in our first try. of Derby, the Dante Stakes in York.

4 TRACKS OF HURRICANE (Charlie Appleby, 9/1)

The number one contender for the powerful Operation Godolphin, and the same trainer / jockey combination that took Masar home in the 2018 Derby ….