Derby Day Lucky 15: Four Horses To Back In Epsom Acca

The Oaks is out of the way and now it’s on to the big one, the Epsom Derby. This is the race that they all want to win and it will crown the best middle-distance three-year-old colt of their generation.

The second of two superb days features eight races at Epsom and five live on ITV.

Here's our Lucky 15 for Derby day, which runs from 13:25-17:50 on Saturday afternoon and is headlined by the Derby itself at 4.30pm.

14:35 - Diomed Stakes

This doesn’t look like a strong race for a Group 3 and the one to be on is ROYAL DUBAI, who appeared to be improving for Lucie Botti in Dubai and might have more to offer.

The lightly-raced four-year-old has won two of his last three starts at Meydan and the form of his latest victory in a mile handicap there was franked when the runner-up won next time.

Royal Dubai was carrying a big weight that day, so there is no doubt he has the ability to make the step up in class and he wasn’t beaten far in a Group 2 at Meydan on his previous outing. That was a stronger race than this and a reproduction of the form might be enough.

Oisin Murphy is an eye-catching booking for the Botti team as he has a win and three seconds from just 10 rides for the yard and Royal Dubai looks like the value bet.

Selection: Royal Dubai

15:10 - 3YO “Dash” Handicap

This is only the second running of the “Dash” solely for three-year-olds and it looks like a good opportunity for the Andrew Balding-trained ENCHANTING to make her mark.

The lightly-raced Blue Point filly has been undone by her free-going nature on her last two starts, but that shouldn’t be a problem on this track as they will go flat out from the start.

Enchanting proved that she is capable of getting her head in front on testing ground when she won a 5f novice at Beverley on heavy going last year and conditions are right for her.

Selection: Enchanting

15:45 - “Dash” Handicap

The real “Dash” comes up next and it’s often thought that a high draw is preferable. However, two of the last 10 winners were drawn one and one other came from stall two, so with that in mind I won’t be put off LOOKING FOR LYNDA, who comes from gate one here.

The Karl Burke-trained four-year-old appears to be at his peak and his latest second behind the reopposing Clarendon House at York was his best effort yet. He was the only runner to finish in the places after racing prominently in a race that seemed to suit those held up.

There is every chance he can reverse the places with the winner, especially as he has a 5lb turnaround in the weights, and Hollie Doyle is an eye-catching booking for the Burke team.

Selection: Looking for Lynda

16:30 - The Derby

The big one and it might pay to stick with Balding again. He has saddled the runner-up in the Derby twice in the last five years, but can go one better this time with BELLUM JUSTUM.

The lightly-raced son of Sea The Stars has produced his two best efforts on his last two outings and is definitely improving quickly enough to play a part now that he is up in trip.

He travelled powerfully and was strong at the finish when beating subsequent 2000 Guineas sixth, and last week’s Sandy Lane winner, Inisherin, in a Newmarket maiden over a mile last season and looked even better when winning the Blue Riband Trial here on his return.

That proved he handles this course and the well-held third, Chief Little Rock, has franked the form by winning a Group 3 at the Curragh since.

Bellum Justum needs to improve again, but has been put away with this race in mind since his win here in April and, if anyone can get it right, it will be Balding.