Saturday at Epsom brings a packed ITV Racing schedule, topped by the prestigious Epsom Derby with Benvenuto Cellini in the spotlight. Alongside, Group One action in the Coronation Cup and competitive handicaps promise excitement for punters. Key selections include Ten Bob Tony in the Tattenham Corner Stakes and Lambourn in the Coronation Cup, both thriving on softer ground. Each race features value bets, especially with tested form in soft conditions. The article's top tip: monitor ground conditions for optimal betting opportunities while considering value picks across races.
The eyes of the world will be on Epsom on Saturday, as Benvenuto Cellini leads the field into the 2026 Derby. A second Group One, the Coronation Cup will also take place on Saturday, as well as the Princess Elizabeth Stakes and the popular Dash handicap.
The John Of Gaunt Stakes has been moved from Haydock to Epsom and rebranded for this year's Epsom Derby Festival. TEN BOB TONY (5/1) won the final running of this race on Merseyside, and I don't see why Ed Walker's charge can't retain his crown.
Ten Bob Tony produced a brave, battling display to get the better of Kinross at Haydock 12 months ago. Walker's charge didn't appear again until the autumn, where he ran well to finish third in the Prix de la Forêt at Longchamp, either side of two limp performances at Doncaster and Ascot.
Kieran Shoemark's mount ran well under a penalty when fourth on his reappearance at the Curragh, before getting thoroughly outpaced behind Lake Forest on his return to Haydock. Softer ground is key to Ten Bob Tony's chances, so the more rain that falls on Derby day, the better.
2:05pm Epsom - Princess Elizabeth Stakes Tips
With negatives against most of the runners in this Group Three, I'm happy to chance PRINCESS CHILD (16/1) at a lengthy price.
Joseph O'Brien's mare has won at this level before, having edged out Queen Of Thunder to land the Fairy Bridge Stakes at Tipperary back in August. Princess Child finished second in a Listed race before an impressive handicap win during the Galway Festival, prior to that Group Three success, with both races coming on very soft going.
O'Brien's five-year-old has already run four times this season, losing out narrowly to stablemate Celestial Orbit in the Park Express Stakes at the Curragh before two sound defeats behind the excellent City Of Memphis. Dylan Browne McMonagle's mount has won around similar tracks to this in Ireland, and she's a proven winner on soft ground.
2:40pm Epsom - Coronation Cup Tips
Jan Brueghel got the better of Calandagan in this race 12 months ago, before Francis Graffard's star went on his Group One-winning spree. Mickael Barzalona's mount returns to Epsom as the highest-rated turf horse in the world, which has forced Aidan O'Brien to run two potential pace-setters, rather than last year's one.
One of those is LAMBOURN (7/1), who made all when winning the Epsom Derby here 12 months ago. Aidan O'Brien's colt managed to secure the Derby double at the Curragh three weeks later, but his form slipped after that, and Lambourn was beaten three lengths in both the Great Voltigeur and the St Leger.
Under an excellent ride from Ryan Moore, Lambourn returned to winning ways in the Huxley Stakes at Chester, edging out Bay City Roller to claim a hard-fought victory. Returning to a mile and a half will be a huge plus for Lambourn, and he's won on soft ground in the past. We know from last year's Derby that Lambourn won't wilt if he's allowed a lead coming down the hill. Is he good enough to hold on and repel Calandagan? We'll find out on Saturday.
Jockey, Wayne Lordan on Lambourn leads the Betfred Derby during Derby Day at the The Betfred Derby Festival. (Getty)
3:15pm Epsom - Dash Handicap Tips
I'm going to back one on either side of the track in the Dash, starting with DYONISOS (8/1), drawn in stall 15. Ian Williams' recruit won a couple of good handicap sprints during his time in France, but is yet to get off the mark since being bought by Fitri Hay.
Dyonisos went close on his final start out in Meydan, and wasn't beaten far when third behind the hugely progressive Jakajaro on his return to British soil at Newmarket. David Egan's mount then fought through traffic at Goodwood, and looked to have the win sewn up until Seven Questions flew home from the rear and pipped his stablemate to the post.
Williams' four-year-old is at his best on slower ground and we've seen plenty of sprinters win the Dash from a high draw. Dyonisos looks set for another solid effort.
With fast starters Democracy Dilemma and Emperor Spirit drawn in stalls three and seven, BETSEN (25/1) could be well placed to challenge from stall five.
Having won once in 17 starts for Jack Davidson in Ireland, Betsen made a winning start to life with Tony Carroll at Southwell in November. After several narrow defeats during the rest of the all-weather season, Carroll's star relished the drop back to the minimum distance at Chepstow two weeks ago, coming from off the pace to land a Class 4 handicap fairly comfortably.
Betsen is a Class 2 winner and has placed in Listed company before, so stepping back up to this sort of level isn't a worry. Carroll saddled Caspian Prince before his victory in the 2014 Dash, and Betsen is certainly classy enough to follow his former stablemate's example.
This has been a bad race for the bookies in recent years, with seven of the last ten winners returning an SP of 7/1 or shorter. Andrew Balding has registered three wins in that time too, and he looks to have a strong chance this year with top-weight ALLEGRESSE (5/1).
Oisin Murphy's mount won both starts around Kempton last season, making all to win his maiden before a hard-fought success in a competitive conditions race. Allegresse bumped into a smart one when beaten on debut at Doncaster, and rounded off his season with a sixth-place finish behind Derby contender Pierre Bonnard in the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket.
Balding's charge was the outsider of the quartet and was forced to make the running on his reappearance at Goodwood, and although he eventually finished last, Balding will have been pleased with that comeback effort. On breeding, Allegresse should improve for this step back up to ten furlongs, and Murphy won't have to do the donkey work on this occasion.
Verdict
Saturday's ITV Tips:
Best Bet1: Ten Bob Tony 1:30pm Epsom @5/1 at BOYLE Sports - 5 Units
Best Bet2: Lambourn 2:40pm Epsom @7/1 at bet365 - 5 Units
Best Bet3: Dynisos E/W 3:15pm Epsom @8/1 at Star Sports - 5 Units
Best Bet4: Allegresse 4:40pm Epsom @5/1 at Betgoodwin - 5 Units
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