Epsom Racing Tips for Today: The Best Bets for Saturday

May 31, 2013 Thatsbettingtips Staff

New Approach sired the winner of the Investec Oaks yesterday and connections of the Derby favourite Dawn Approach will be hoping that trend can continue as the colts bid for Classic success in the biggest race of the season.

Here we take a look at the live Channel 4 racing and provide some free horse racing tips for the day.

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1.35 – Investec Out Of The Ordinary Handicap (Class 2) 1m2f18y

E/W Selection: FORGING THE PATH @ 7/1 with Sky Bet

Lightly raced filly who got off the mark on her seasonal reappearance last month with a convincing win at Thirsk. That was probably not the strongest of heats but she has been given a workable mark of 79 off which to start off in handicaps and connections will be hopeful she can improve on that. A nicely bred filly, she is a daughter of four times Group 1 winning miler Henrythenavigator and is from a family of Grade 1 American winners and there should be more to come from her. The step up in trip ought not to prove a problem and she can prove competitive off a fair opening mark.

2.05 – Investec Woodcote Stakes (Listed) 6f

Selection: THUNDER STRIKE @ 3/1 with Bet Victor

Unbeaten in two starts to date showing plenty of speed on both occasions. The earliest foal in the field, he is bred to be sharp and the extra furlong should not be an issue judged on what he has shown so far. A son of Champion sprinter Sakhee’s Secret he looks likely to take the step up in class in his stride and a bold bid expected in a bid to maintain his unbeaten record.

2.40 – Investec Coronation Cup (Group 1) 1m4f10y

Selection: ST NICHOLAS ABBEY @ 2/5 with Bet Victor

Set to go off a very short price but it is hard to look past St Nicholas Abbey in his bid to win the race for a third year in succession. An impressive winner in the contest last year he put in one if his best performances to date when winning the Dubai Sheema Classic last time out. He is proven at the track and with 7lb in hand on official ratings he looks tough to beat, especially with his main rival Dunaden probably more effective over further than the 12f here.

3.15 – Investec Specialist Bank ‘Dash’ (Heritage Handicap) (Class 2) 5f

E/W Selection: LA FORTUNATA @ 20/1 with Bet Victor

Wide open contest with several previous winners of the race lining up but the selection is a 6 year old mare who has a good record at the track, despite failing to get her head in front in 5 previous attempts. She finished third in this race back in 2011 behind the re-opposing Captain Dunne and has two Newmarket handicap wins to her name since then. She was unfortunate not to get back in the winners enclosure last time out when narrowly beaten by Ajjaadd, another who runs here, over this course and distance. A prominent racer she is well drawn in stall 6 to attack from the front and although she races off her highest career mark she appeared as good as ever on last months reappearance; promisingly she has come on for her first outing of the season in the past. Wide open race but decent each-way chance.

4.00 – Investec Derby (Group 1) 1m4f10y

E/W Selection: RULER OF THE WORLD @ 8/1 with William Hill

Didn’t make it to the racecourse as a 2 year old but has impressed on two starts to date this season, especially when romping away with the Group 3 Chester Vase. Faced little opposition that day and didn’t always travel comfortably but quickened up nicely and bounded clear. He looks sure to stay this trip and more; there was little sign of him stopping at Chester over 1m3f. The undulations of Epsom may provide a test for him with his lack of experience and he will need to avoid being outpaced at a key point of the race coming down the hill. Still rates an unknown quantity and one of the more interesting contenders if he turns up on the day, with his stamina likely to bring him into contention late in the race.

(For further analysis see the Investec Derby preview article here)