Saturday 4th June 2016

Minding did everything and more I expected her to, she’s an exceptional filly, breathing taking and the best we’ve seen for a long time. The race couldn’t have gone more wrong, however she still destroyed her rivals and would have won the Oaks by ten lengths with a clear run. The odds against available during the afternoon was very welcome and I hope you punished the bookies.

Unfortunately, the Epsom Derby winner is going to take a bit more finding, if honest I don’t really have a clue and it looks a pin stick job. It’s the Derby though and a bit like the Grand National a small investment does no harm. I’ve backed Port Douglas EW at 20-1 and Harzand EW at 10-1.

If you think the 2^nd favourite US Army Ranger has a chance, then Port Douglas odds look on the large size. He could have beat US Army Ranger with a more forceful ride at Chester and was giving him 4lb. There won’t be any playing second fiddle today and he should go ok.

Harzand could be anything, the step up in trip will be ideal. The worry is he might not handle the ups and downs of Epsom. Harzand is big strong horse and maybe too big for Epsom. His form is rock solid though and I think it’s significant his trainer Dermot Weld has given him mini break and allowed Harzand to grow since his last outing. He will either go really close or blow out and not handle the track.

Elsewhere at shorter odds “11-8” Aflame in the 8:20 at Lingfield should take a bit of stopping with normal improvement from first to second start. One of the newcomers would have to run to good level of level of form on racecourse debut to beat her.

Postponed 3:10 Epsom is arguably the best 14-furlong horse around. He has to give weight to the fillies today but I think he will have too many gears for them. I’m surprised even money is available, he looks a odds on shot in my eyes and a good thing.