2017 Epsom Derby Preview and Betting Tips

The Epsom Derby is often billed as the greatest flat race in the world. And few would argue with that bold statement. The one mile, four furlong and 10 yard race takes place on the first Saturday in June every year.

For the 2017 edition, the participants will compete for a £1.5 million prize fund, a significant increase from last year.

The meeting is held over two days, with seven races on the Friday including the Oaks and the Coronation Cup, while the showpiece event takes place at 16:30pm on the Saturday.

The race is the second race in what is known as the Triple Crown, which also includes the 2000 Guineas and the St Leger. Despite the link between the three races, few have achieved or even attempted to win all three. In fact, the last horse to complete the feat was Nijinsky way back in 1970.

The Derby remains the richest in Britain and the most prestigious of what are known as the Classics. First run in 1780, the race is held in such esteem that several other races around the world have now adopted the ‘Derby’ name.

The most successful jockey in the history of the event is Lester Piggott who rode nine winners. Leader the top trainers charts with seven apiece are Robert Robson, John Porter and Fred Darling.

Recent Winners

  • 2010: Workforce (Ryan Moore, Sir Michael Stoute)
  • 2011: Pour Moi (Mickael Barzalona, Andre Fabre)
  • 2012: Camelot (Joseph O’Brien, Aidan O’Brien)
  • 2013: Ruler Of The World (Ryan Moore, Aidan O’Brien)
  • 2014: Australia (Joseph O’Brien, Aidan O’Brien)
  • 2015: Golden Horn (Frankie Dettori, John Gosden)
  • 2016: Harzand (Pat Smullen, Dermot Weld)

Contenders

From a field of 19 runners, Cracksman and Cliffs of Moher will head off as favourites.

The former, trained by John Gosden, is unbeaten in two outings including a win on this track back in April (Derby Trial). The significance of that performance was heightened when runner-up Permian bagged a listed win at Newmarket and also won the Dante Stakes at York.

Cracksman may not be up to the standard of Gosden’s 2015 winner Golden Horn but that may not matter in what appears to be an open field.

Meanwhile, trainer Aidan O’Brien will be hoping that Dee Stakes winner Cliffs of Moher can hand him his sixth win in this event. While there are those that remain unconvinced by his run in Chester, the general consensus is that he will by the horse to beat on the day.

There has also been plenty of interest in Eminent despite his sixth-place finish in the 2000 Guineas. The feeling is that this race will suit him much better and will justify the form that he showed when winning the Craven Stakes.

Those three look to be the ones to watch this year but who will bag the top prize?

Prediction

There is little to separate Cliffs of Moher and Cracksman in the betting with both floating at around 4/1 at the time of writing, while Eminent is slightly further back at 7/1. However, we feel that liffs of Moher is ready to make that step up and hand Aidan O’Brien his sixth victory here.

You can back Cliffs of Moher at 4/1 with Betfair.

 

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