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RacingBetter News |
| Thursday 23rd May 2019 | |
Epsom Derby Value
I’m not usually one to look for “value” in races because, after all, a loser is a loser whatever the price.
However, the Epsom Derby looks like a pretty open race this year and there may be some decent chances at reasonable prices to be had, especially in the each-way market.
With this in mind I have picked out some contenders that may be going slightly under the radar as far as the bookies are concerned.
Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien could run as many as eight horses in he race, as he seeks a record-equalling seventh success, and he has the likes of Sir Dragonet, Broome and Anthony Van Dyck at the head of the market.
It's an Aidan O'Brien 1-2 as Investec Derby entrant CIRCUS MAXIMUS beats stablemate MOHAWK in the Dee Stakes @ChesterRaces pic.twitter.com/8MlImCQDJz
— Champions Series (@ChampionsSeries) May 9, 2019
Amongst his others, Circus Maximus battled well to win the Dee Stakes at Chester, and is bound to improve for the outing.
O’Brien remarked at the annual Breakfast With The Stars media event at Epsom: ”I know Maria [Niarchos-Gouazé] and the lads thought about Epsom for Circus Maximus after Chester and I think we knew that he would come forward from Chester.”
The son of Galileo is currently trading at around 20/1 generally, and slot machines free games are all worth a look.
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Roger Varian’s Kingman colt Surfman finished third in the Dante Stakes at York and is a possible runner, with Varian commenting at Epsom:
"I was thrilled with Surfman's performance in the Dante. I thought it was a slightly frustrating race in terms of how it panned out. We wanted to ride him quietly as he didn't have vast experience. I wanted to continue his education. However, turning for home on good to firm ground on a flat track, we were a little out of our ground. He made up eye-catching ground in the straight.
"I thought it was a good performance and who knows how lose he would have come if the race had panned out slightly differently. He has come out of the race well. He is in the Derby and we don't need to make any decision about whether he runs in the Derby until Thursday morning next week.
"I would love to have a crack at the Derby, but it is about doing what is best for the horse. He is going to be a great horse going forward. I think he is a genuine Grade 1 performer. Whether he is a horse to chance our arm in the Derby next weekend, I honestly don't know. I want to watch him for seven to 10 days before making a decision. I have not seen him much since York and I want a full week to watch him train. Next week, we will have a clearer idea in terms of the field so he is no more than a possible at this stage.”
Kevin Prendergast is set to be represented by Madhmoon, who finished fourth behind Magna Grecia in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas.
The Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned colt, who defeated Broome impressively in a Grade 2 contest at Leopardstown in September, has yet to race over further than a mile.
Prendergast said: "Madhmoon is doing very well and we are very happy with him.
"We thought the draw was all right going into the Guineas, but listening to the jockeys and everybody afterwards, it was not a good draw. The first and second came up the stands' rail as did the sixth who raced that side.
"Madhmoon finishes his races well. He won twice over a mile as a two-year-old and that is usually a good indication for longer trips as a three-year-old. Hopefully, he will get the extra half mile at Epsom.”
