Sunday Racing Tips: Miller can show the right spirit at Epsom

Three meetings will take place across the UK and Ireland on Sunday afternoon, with turf cards from Epsom and the Curragh joined by an all-weather meeting at Southwell.

At Epsom, the Betfred Apprentices' Derby Handicap (15:30) takes centre stage on a day when Betfred are sponsoring all seven races on the card, while over at the Curragh there is plenty of Group-race action ahead of the ultra-competitive Irish Cesarewitch (16:25) on a quality card. Amongst our strongest fancies on Sunday is one for Joseph O’Brien in the Curragh’s feature event, who arrives here off the back of a major success over hurdles.

Horse Racing Odds

15:30 Epsom - Miller Spirit @ 7/2

The Betfred Apprentices' Derby will see a field of eight tackling the famous Epsom mile-and-a-half trip and bidding to round Tattenham Corner and land this Class 4 prize.

The only runner in the line-up with such an experience under his belt is MILLER SPIRIT for Gary & John Moore.

The four-year-old son of Australia won the Jump Jockeys Derby here earlier this month, coming up the Epsom straight in very powerful fashion to land that contest.

He is only 3lb higher here and has a good ally in Alec Voikhansky as he bids for an Epsom Derby double.

14:40 Curragh - Heavens Gate @ 9/4

The Group 3 Weld Park Stakes for two-year-old Fillies' at the Curragh is run over 7f and looks a good stopping point for Aidan O'Brien's HEAVENS GATE.

The daughter of Churchill has plenty experience on her CV now, with two wins from six starts. After bagging her maiden here over 6f in May, she was placed in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket before winning €150,000 in the Ballyhane Stakes Sales at Naas last month.

O'Brien suggested after that win she would be ideally suited going up to 7f, but still allowed her to take a crack at York's Lowther over 6f, where she was fourth after contesting the early pace.

With this extra furlong in her favour and this representing a drop in class, she can score under Ryan Moore – a rider at the very top of his game currently.

16:25 Curragh - Nurburgring @ 13/2

Joseph O'Brien bids for a unique double here as Galway Hurdle winner NURBURGRING seeks to add the Irish Cesarewitch in the hands of Dylan McMonagle.

This Zoffany gelding was a Grade 3 winner over timber last season and contested the major races at Cheltenham and Punchestown in elite company. He then turned the Ballybrit showpiece into a procession in August under JJ Slevin off a mark of 139 over timber.

Back on the level, he took aim at the Petingo Handicap at Leopardstown this month over 1m5f during the Irish Champions Festival and caught the eye doing his best work late on to finish fourth.

With this 2m1f trip set to be in his wheelhouse, he makes good appeal from an unchanged mark as he seeks to add another €330,000 to the coffers.

17:15 Epsom - Come On You Spurs @ 4/1

Fans of the North London outfit will be hoping it's an omen for their trip to Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon as COME ON YOU SPURS looks the one to be with in the concluding Betfred 'Triple Crown Bonus' Handicap for trainer Richard Spencer with in-form Oisin Murphy legged up.

This filly remains lightly raced and has two wins and two placed efforts from five starts on turf.

She loves a bit of give in the ground, with her wins at Lingfield (1m1f) and Sandown (7f) both coming on soft ground.

Horse Racing Tips from Betfred Insights.