Friday 5th June 2015

It’s the first day of the Epsom Derby meeting today and the ladies get their chance to shine. This year’s renewal of the Oaks looks very strong and cases can be made for six or seven of the contenders.

The favourite and the 1000 Guineas winner Legatissimo clearly has the best form whilst Ryan Moore keeps faith with the mare despite been able to ride some of the other market leaders. Trained by David Wachman Legatissimo has stamina in her pedigree so the trip should be fine and she’s not easy to oppose even from stall 1. The mare has a solid favourite’s chance if handling this unique racecourse.

Legatissimo is not easy to pass over but I have done so and backed Crystal Zvezda who I was deeply impressed with on seasonal debut at Newbury. Although that was only a Listed Class win, the way she went about things was very exciting.

Very few horses can show a turn of foot as she did in the last furlong despite not having a clear run and off the back of a steady pace. The way she quickened away from her rivals with ease suggests she’s a Group horse in the making. Her trainer Sir Michael Stoute has gone on record saying she’s very smart, and it’s not often he’s so bullish.

I’m not concerned about the trip as further she was going at Newbury the better she looked, the undulations of Epsom shouldn’t be a problem either as Crystal Zvezda has a beautiful action. I would have liked her to be a couple of points bigger in the betting but at 4-1 Crystal Zvezda can still be backed EW and she should give you a good run for your money.

The other horse I’ve had a bigger bet on is Odeliz in the first race. This globetrotting mare deserves to win a Group race and looks to have a big chance in doing so this afternoon. She was second in this last year but today’s event doesn’t look as strong and everything seems in her favour.

Even though she's not won for a while her placed efforts still put her a long way ahead of her rivals, priced at 3-1 I think Odeliz will run a big race.