ITV Racing Tips: Aidan’s charge assured of a warm Derby welcome on the Downs

It's Betfred Derby day! At 16:00 we'll sit up and take huge notice as one of the world's most famous sporting events plays out on those dramatic Downs. Echoes of Dancing Brave sensationally not quite getting up; Shergar setting sail for home and majestically disappearing over the horizon; the rat-a-tat-tat of Lester Piggott's persuader, as The Minstrel gets up in the shadow of the post.

The 2026 renewal looks an open affair, and several throwing their hat into the ring will feel they've got a real squeak. The great race is of course the centrepiece of ITV's coverage for Saturday 6 June, and in fact the first SIX are being televised LIVE by the channel starting at 13:30. If you're playing, have fun. It's a fantastic day in the sporting calendar, and has been since 1780.

Horse Racing Odds

Full ITV schedule;

13:30 Epsom - Betfred Tattenham Corner Stakes G3, 7f
14:05 Epsom - Princess Elizabeth Stakes G3, 1m 0.5f
14:40 Epsom - Coronation Cup G1, 1m 4f
15:15 Epsom - Betfred “Dash” Handicap, 5f
16:00 Epsom - Betfred Derby G1, 1m 4f
16:40 Epsom - Lester Piggott Handicap, 1m 2f

Rationale;

13:30 Epsom - Ten Bob Tony @ 11/2

Our selection won this G3 last year when it was still being held at Haydock Park. He bids to repeat the feat now rated 2lb higher.

TEN BOB TONY is a five-year-old Night Of Thunder gelding out of a Dark Angel mare. Solidly bred for this kind of test then (7f) and has run respectably once at a mile in a G2.

He's won three of his 16 starts and if there is a mention of 'soft' somewhere in the going description he's not likely to be inconvenienced by it, having put up a superb effort at the Curragh on soft/heavy at the end of March in a Listed heat (beaten just 1.75l behind Big Gossey, who has since run really well, close-up, in a G2).

Drawn three is a plus, as he tends to race in touch with the leaders and could enjoy a decent passage on the inside. Kieran Shoemark is on top and knows the horse well, while trainer Ed Walker's string are in good nick (23% strike-rate in the last 14 days).

Looks wide-open in fairness and is an exciting curtain-raiser on Betfred Derby day.

14:05 Epsom - Breckenbrough @ 12/1

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy rides this four-year-old Kingman filly for French trainer Mario Baratti.

BRECKENBROUGH steps up into G3 company and is known to UK race fans as she was previously housed at Andrew Balding's Kingsclere base in Hampshire until last August.

Any cut in the ground will be very welcome given that she seems extremely comfortable under such conditions, and her form has really taken off since relocating.

I like the booking of Oisin very much and perhaps he's ridden her on the gallops previously, as he has strong ties with the Balding operation? I like the value too, and each way support is probably the way to go here.

Murphy is in terrific form, operating at a 21% strike rate over the last 14 days, and though the horse looks to have a bit to find on official figures she's an improving filly and I very much doubt we've seen anything like her ceiling yet.

14:40 Epsom - Calandagan @ 10/11

Quite simply one of the planet's premier middle-distance racehorses these days, and a great credit to trainer Francis-Henri Graffard and his staff.

CALANDAGAN is unbeaten in his last five; ironically since coming second in this very contest 12 months ago behind the re-opposing Jan Brueghel. His form has been rock-solid and spectacular since, hoovering-up five G1 contests all over the globe.

France, England twice, Tokyo, Meydan - he's been well-travelled, and foot-perfect. A slow pace could find him out, and if Jan engineered a bit of a crawl up to the two pole he might be able to hang on again, as per last year.

Could Bay City Roller make it? Illinois, and then slow it down? It's a small-ish field so there's always the chance it will become tactical, but the likely favourite surely has the tools to get the job done.

No brave stakes - a watch and savour job, and hope we see another thrilling climax.

15:15 Epsom - Dyonisos @ 15/2

The one before the Derby!

This sprint will redefine the word 'hectic' and fits that old cliché beautifully - run the race a dozen times and you'll likely get a dozen different results.

Twenty are slated to face the starter, which is the maximum number. They'll hurtle downhill most of the way, and the place to be is invariably as close to the stands' rail as possible, which equates to a high draw.

DYONISOS has drawn stall 15 - not bad at all. The four-year-old gelding can race fairly prominently, and will I suggest need to on this occasion if he's to be successful.

Ian Williams trains, and David Egan, on board when the horse last ran 15 days ago, has the riding assignment. That spin was a belter, a head defeat at Goodwood (another super-quirky, flying 5f experience). Should have put him spot-on for this, and has only been raised a pound by the assessor - result.

This is DEFINITELY each way territory for me, and we're paying FIVE places, 1/5 odds. Will be an arresting, utterly gripping affair; blink-and-you'll-miss-it material; and all over in about 60 seconds. Marvellous.

16:00 Epsom - Benvenuto Cellini @ 2/1

The 247th running of the Betfred Epsom Derby. A race with centuries of tradition, and awash with memories of some of the very very best horses to have graced our sport.

This year's renewal sees 14 scheduled to compete, and they'll all be dreaming to some extent, however fanciful that might be in some instances. The mighty Aidan O'Brien has four entered, and it's one of those that I'm most interested in for win purposes.

BENVENUTO CELLINI is a son of the imperious Frankel, never asked in his own illustrious career to tackle Epsom on the first Saturday in June, and he's won three of the five races he's contested.

Two wins and two places in his two-year-old campaign, and on seasonal reappearance he announced himself as as an important contender when sluicing up in the G3 Chester Vase 31 days ago by 4.25l.

He was a very skinny price to prevail on the Roodee but the way he travelled and quickened was most encouraging. There could be lots of improvement to come on Saturday afternoon and he has the inestimable benefit of Ryan Moore on his back, seeking his fifth win in the race.

His biggest rival could be stablemate Pierre Bonnard, with Christophe Soumillon in the saddle, but the unique nature of the track means you can't really rule anything out entirely. It'll take just over two-and-a-half minutes, talent plus luck in running are prerequisites, and then we'll know.

More Aidan/Ballydoyle domination, or perhaps a new kid on the block who dared to dream big? Answers soon after 16:00, Saturday.

16:40 Epsom - Allegresse @ 9/2

The channel's last offering is a 10f handicap celebrating the life of the 'Long Fellow.' 'Old Stoneface.' The 5ft 8" tall, gaunt, quietly-spoken, beyond-brilliant nine-time Epsom Derby winner Lester Piggott.

Another great champion of the present-day, Oisin Murphy, rides a horse he knows well here for trainer Andrew Balding; the three-year-old Oasis Dream gelding ALLEGRESSE. 

The selection has two wins from five starts and when last seen 36 days ago at Goodwood produced a standout piece of form in defeat (2.5l), recording a special Racing Post rating into the bargain.

That was his first start after a gelding op and it seems to have had the required, galvanising effect. He's relatively unexposed, and though burdened with 9st 9lb as the clear top-rated entry another racing cliché is doing the rounds in my head as I type - potential Group horse in a handicap.

For me, a fantastic chance.

NAPS table with Betfred Insights.