Yesterday’s Review

0.5pt e/way Whirl (107) – It was right to take on the short priced favourite Desert Flower (105) who failed to stay the extra four furlongs. They say that the most important part of winning a race over the 12f distance at Epsom is conserving your energy for the opening uphill part of the journey. When I saw jockey Wayne Lordan two lengths clear of the field having used up a decent bit of energy to get the to the front I wasn’t too confident in him staying there. The filly still ran a remarkable race over a trip that is not her best to just go down by a neck. The winner Minnie Hauk (108) had apparently improved so much since Chester that the decision to ride her for Ryan Moore was a simple one. The selection will be much better suited to ten furlongs going forward. Result 2nd 7/1, 13/2 adv…15/2 SP.

1pt e/way Two Tempting (96) – A shocking performance from the selection who found nothing when asked to quicken over a furlong out. I was expecting him to record a figure 13 lengths per mile superior to this effort. The strength of his recent form was highlighted by Partisan Hero (the horse he finished ahead of at Chester last time out) winning the 5.10 race. The winner Mirsky (110) improved greatly recording a career best, and even if the selection reproduced his performance in winning this race last year he would have only finished second.

1.5pts win Miss Information (103) – The selection was well backed from 7/2 into 85/40 favourite before the race. Conditions on the day were riding 8.4 lengths per mile slower than my standard times which equated to a Good to Soft surface. It had looked like the selection would have no problem with conditions judging by her win on a Good to Soft surface at Chepstow last year, but when I went deeper into the results conditions were 8 lengths per mile faster than standard that day, and 3.5 lengths per mile faster than standard for her course and distance win last year. It looks like she needs a faster surface at the moment, until we see her at her best on softer going than standard, as she failed to pick up when asked in the home straight coming home a well beaten eighth.

0.5pt e/way Happy Pharoah (105) – The fastest race on the card, with the selection being well backed from 8/1 into 7/2. Unfortunately he hung right and weakened out of the places when asked for more in the home straight. Jockey Gavin Ryan reported that he became upset in the stalls beforehand, but it is debatable if that is a valid excuse for the performance. He looks more like a follower than a leader at the minute.

Today’s Advice

PRIDE OF ARRAS/MIDAK – The (3.30) Epsom Derby, known as the most important horse race in the world, will see nineteen of the finest three-year-olds in Europe go to post today. The key trial appears to be the Dante Stakes at York and Pride of Arras looked to win very comfortably despite not getting the clearest of runs. It’s hard to see anything from in behind improving past him, although backers of Damysus could argue that Kieran Shoemark was giving him an educational ride with today’s prize in mind. Considering his finishing sectionals were similar to the winner’s I can see their argument. But the manner of the winner’s performance just swayed me more towards the son of New Bay.

His pedigree looks to have plenty of stamina in it, and as an unbeaten lightly raced colt he looks to have plenty of boxes ticked, and I am surprised he is not favourite. Rossa Ryan has improved his riding skills over the past few year’s, and it would be great to see the fellow Irishman hold horseracing’s greatest prize aloft.

Midak may not appear to have the greatest of form with a recent five runner Group 3 victory to his name, but this was the fastest race on the card that day, and a reproduction of his (112) speed figure on the day would see him very competitive in today’s field. He is also from a staying family, and considering he is also unbeaten I would have him a couple of points shorter in the betting.

1pt e/way Pride Of Arras (4/1 General 4 places only) 3.30 Epsom

1pt e/way Midak (11/1 general 4 places only) 3.30 Epsom