London Gold Cup runner-up, Poet’s Prince, can go one better at Epsom on Saturday – according to Seymour Biz, who will be taking his Summer break following this week and will be returning later in June.
The presenters will have their glad-rags out of the wardrobe on ITV on Saturday to host the programme from Epsom. The rest of the UK’s racing is ignored as they concentrate on the Derby meeting so that is what I will look at for this weeks Lucky Fifteen. There are five races on offer concluding with the Derby itself and Saxon Warrior looks absolutely nailed on. His victory in the 2000 Guineas was tremendous, the way in which he mowed down his rivals and asserted his authority was the mark of a champion. However he did edge slightly left in the last furlong and that could let one of his contenders sweep past on the outside. I have fancied Roaring Lion since the end of last season and after his early disappointments this year, his comeback in the Dante showed he must have a squeak. But there is better value to be found in the earlier races so these are the races I will concentrate on for this weeks bets.
The first race on the card is at 2.00 is the Investec Private Banking Handicap and the favourite looks to be Mark Johnston’s Poet’s Prince. He has three wins on the all-weather under his belt this year, his latest run was on turf at Newbury running second to Communique in the London Gold Cup. That was a good effort and he can come on for that. Tigre De Terre was a winner at Ripon last time cruising home by 10 lengths after making all, but he didn’t beat much that day. Ship Of The Fen won well at Doncaster in his last contest where he was doing his best work at the finish. I must also mention George trained by Sylvester Kirk, whose horses have won this race three times in the last ten years. He can go well at a big price and take a place.
The 2.35 is the Princess Elizabeth Stakes and although there are only 12 declared at the 5 day stage it is still a real tricky race. Urban Fox heads the betting which is unsurprising considering her victory last time out at Ascot where she got up in the last strides to beat Tribute Act. Lincoln Rocks from David O’Meara’s stable was second at Lingfield previously, beaten by Tomyris, that was a good effort and she can improve on that. Shenanigans is due to get her head in front soon after two seconds this year but I’m afraid she will have to wait as I can’t see her doing it here. Richard Hannon’s Anna Nerium started the year with a good win at HQ when springing a surprise at 25/1 and then was not disgraced when running seventh in the 1000 Guineas, she can use her weight allowance to take this.
The Investec Diomed Stakes is at 3.10 and I like the look of Mark Johnston’s Love Dreams for this top class Group 3 contest. His win at Goodwood last time where he made all and was fully in command crowned off a busy few weeks for him, he has certainly been kept on the go. Arod has looked a different animal this season, he won this race as a 4-year-old when trained by Peter Chappell-Hyam in 2015. Now under the guidance of David Simcock his victory last time at Windsor in a Listed race came at the expense of Khafod Shememi and Sovereign Debt where he made virtually all. True Valour is another worth a mention, over from Ireland he had a prep race for this at Leopardstown running third. He can go well for Johnny Murtagh.
At 3.45 is the Investec Corporate Banking Dash Handicap, and I really enjoy watching these sprinters go hell for leather over 5 furlongs. Last week I tipped Line Of Reason at York and he was a non-runner, has he been kept for this contest? If so he must have every chance for Paul Midgley for the same reasons I gave last week. He was staying on at the end in his last contest and Dark Shot who was second that day is now 5lbs worse off here at Epsom. Boom The Groom is high in the betting but has shown most of his best form on the all-weather. Amomentofmadness carries a 4lb penalty for his latest victory at Chester, where he was suited by the turns, the penalty may hold him back. So although there are some speedsters in attendance I will stick with Line Of Reason.
Saturday’s Epsom Lucky 15 Tips
2.00 Poet’s Prince
2.35 Anna Nerium
3.10 Love Dreams
3.45 Line Of Reason
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Contact Seymour Biz, with your own thoughts, tips and questions, at the following address: ahroberts99@yahoo.com