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Epsom is set to take centre stage this Saturday, with a fascinating undercard accompanying Britain’s feature flat race of the season.
This year's Epsom Derby looks to be yet another thriller, with the well fancied Auguste Rodin looking to bounce back from his Newmarket disappointment to record yet another Derby victory for the Ballydoyle team.
It is not only the Derby however, we have to look forward to this Saturday, as Epsom treats us to an action-packed card throughout.
Derby day kicks off in superb style, with the Group 3 Diomed Stakes (1m 1/2f). Godolphin's globetrotting Highland Avenue is the one at the top of the market.
This now 5-year-old son of Dubawi was campaigned at the beginning of last year in Meydan, finishing both 8th and 9th in a Group 1 and Group 2 contest.
Having had 428-days off the track, he returned to action at Newmarket's Rowley Mile last month, finishing 3rd behind Adayar in the Gordon Richard Stakes, making him a worthy favourite if he is to maintain that level of form this Saturday.
An interesting inclusion in this year's Diomed is the Roger Varian trained son of Oasis Dream, Kolsai. Being the only three-year-old in the field, he is also the most inexperienced, running on just four occasions before today, consisting of a first and three seconds.
His last effort saw him finish 5 ½ lengths off the winner in a Class 2 Conditions Stakes at Goodwood last month, meaning a slight step up from that performance may be required to be successful here.
It is a field of 6 for the Group 3 Diomed this Saturday, with Regal Reality, Escobar, Imperial Fighter and Marie's Diamond the remaining four runners in this exciting opener kicking off Derby Day.
The 2:10 at Epsom is the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes (1m 1/2f) with the Ralph Beckett trained Prosperous Voyage being the well backed favourite. She was last season's winner of the Group 1 Falmouth Stakes, and ended last season's campaign with a 4th in the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes.
Her seasonal reappearance saw her finish 5th in the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes back at Newmarket last month, with the inform Frankie Dettori set to take the mount on the filly for the second time, hoping to have a successful day on what is his final Epsom Derby weekend.
The Sir Michael Stoute trained runner in the field is the Cheveley Park owned 5-year-old Potapova. She was last season's winner of the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes at Sandown, and was a subsequent fourth in the Group 2 Dubai Joel Stakes won by Mutasaabeq.
Her only start this season was that last month, where she was pulled up, with vets reporting the Mare had an irregular heartbeat. That run was just 28 days ago, however, if she is to return to form shown at the end of last season, she is well within her right to run much better this Saturday.
Roman mist, the runner for Archie Watson also poses a danger to the favourite.
Having moved from the Tom Ward team earlier this year, she won on debut for her new stable with
an impressive performance in a Listed Fillies Stakes on heavy ground, making her an interesting inclusion in this high class 6-runner contest.
The 3:20 on the card is the 5f Aston Martin Dash Heritage Handicap, with Live In The Moment at the head of affairs in the market. Having moved to the Alice Haynes stable this season, his first start for the team was a 13th of 15 last April.
He was far better last time out however, finishing a close second in a competitive Class 4 Handicap at Doncaster over 6f. All his previous wins have come over 5 furlongs, meaning further improvement could be expected returning to that trip today.
Middleham park run Clarendon House in the race. Following a 240-day break, he returned to action at York last month, where he finished 5th of 13 in a quality filled race, including the winner Regional and second placed Korker.
With that run under his belt, he is a serious contender this Saturday, bidding to improve again on that run and return to form he has shown in the past.
