ITV Racing Tips: Two Additional Derby Day Picks

The racing world will descend on Epsom this Saturday for the most iconic of all flat races, The Derby. Billy Grimshaw has a big race preview in the works but also has a couple of recommended plays on the supporting card to get stuck into here...

13:35 Epsom

Harry Eustace sends stable star Docklands here and he heads the market, but I can't escape the feeling this will be merely a prep run for the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot, which is surely his cup final this season considering the horse's brilliant record at the track. Even if he is tuned to the minute for this race, I am not convinced this slower going will suit him and so I am siding with current second favourite - although their prices are contracting as I type - PERSICA.

It's easy to forgive him for bombing out in the Lockinge last time out considering the calibre of opponent that day at Newbury as well as the fact the ground was rattling quick, which is not something he has ever particularly enjoyed. Back at Epsom, where he won in taking fashion in a handicap when last seen here, and on slower ground it looks like he has everything in his favour to land this prize and of course, the booking of Ryan Moore is another feather in his cap.

It is not a two horse race despite the odds heavily favouring the aforementioned duo and I do expect to see Royal Playwright bounce back somewhat after disappointing in the Dante, perhaps not seeing out the trip. He will be more suited by this test but would have to put in a career best to live with the big two, and while it's not out of the realms of possibility his price doesn't tempt me enough to look away from the obvious most likely winner in Persica.

14:45 Epsom

As a diehard Caspian Prince fan boy, I absolutely love the Epsom Dash and cannot wait to see it as the precursor to The Derby every season. There is no track more suited to rapid speedballs off the front end than Epsom and hopefully we get to see a blisteringly quick time, even though no records will be broken due to the softer ground than usual. I was half tempted to forgiven Democracy Dilemma for his recent flops when carrying my cash as he was second here last year when attempting to make all and for anyone looking for an each-way play I couldn't put you off, but the softer ground and his draw have put me off.

Although the definite front runner does have a good record in the dash, those who race prominently have also fared well and I think SPARTAN ARROW looks tailormade for this. Hollie Doyle rides Archie Watson's course and distance winner and I am more than happy to put a line through his latest run when down the field as I'm confident since that win here this race has been circled in thick red pen in the calendar.

His high draw near the standside rail is ideal and there is pace around him but Doyle could well make use of his early speed and lead that group, but even if she is placed a bit back from the real early paceballs I am confident this horse has the speed when needed to win. Of course the Dash is a massively competitive affair so this is by no means a high stakes play, but I'll be backing Spartan Arrow each-way with the extended place terms and will be disappointed if we don't at least collect some place money.