Lucky 15 Tips: Wathnan to get the Derby meeting off to a flyer

It's Day 1 of the Betfred Derby Festival at Epsom - Friday, June 6. Today's standout is of course the Betfred Oaks, but the card is made up of seven outstanding contests.

Here's what I intend to do. Today's Lucky 15 will of course come direct from Epsom, and I'll take in the first four races (start-time, 13:30). Then, in a companion tipping piece, I'll cover the remaining three races, including of course the fillies' Classic, which is due off at 16:00. Everything then will be covered - a fantastic card, and all just 24 hours away from the Betfred Derby on Saturday.

Enjoy!

Horse Racing Odds

Fast Racing Results

13:30 - Diego Ventura @ 7/4

The opener for the Betfred Derby Festival - a 7f Listed heat for three-year-olds.

I'm siding with a Wathnan Racing-owned Mehmas colt trained by Hamad Al Jehani at Newmarket, with retained pilot James Doyle having the riding assignment.

Diego Ventura began life with Gavin Cromwell before shipping in after a Naas maiden win at two, on debut. In five highly-tried subsequent starts he's won two including a Listed heat at Longchamp when last seen three weeks ago, and has generally been ultra-consistent.

He strikes me as by far the most likely winner and there could be plenty more under the bonnet, with his rivals having a more exposed look in my view. There are more question marks about them than the selection.

14:05 - Maximised @ 11/8

Will Buick/Charlie Appleby/Godolphin time. What a 24 hours or so it could be for them at Epsom - anyway, let's not get ahead of ourselves!

Maximised goes 6f here in a field of inexperienced two-year-olds, having had the benefit of a debut win at Haydock 15 days ago, at this trip.

The son of Mehmas out of a Pivotal mare cost £720,000 at the Breeze-ups and looked to have a little up his sleeve when winning in the north-west. It looks a deep field but he's decently drawn in the six box and represents powerful connections who let's not forget are responsible for just about the favourite in both of the weekend's Classics.

Cracking race.

14:40 - Calandagan @ 4/5

Last season's G2 Royal Ascot scorer over this Derby/Oaks trip, and the class of the race for me.

Calandagan is a four-year-old Gleneagles gelding out of a Sinndar mare and runs in the colours of the late Aga Khan, in whose name this year's Derby is being run by way of commemoration and respect for such a wonderful supporter of Epsom, and racing in general. Shergar, anyone?

Francis-Henri Graffard trains at Chantilly and Mickael Barzalona rides. He's got a few pounds in hand on official figures and it will be a seismic shock to this scribbler at least of he doesn't prevail, but this is sport, it's a horse race, and talented rivals will be looking to produce an upset.

15:15 - Mutaawid @ 7/2

Gentleman Jim Crowley is aboard this gelded four-year-old son of Frankel out of a Dubawi mare, clad in Shadwell blue, and looking to defy a 10lb hike for dotting up last time 19 days ago at Newmarket.

Team Gosden train, and that last run at this 10f trip was an eye-opener. He was gelded in September at the conclusion of his unremarkable three-year-old season, and his two runs this term have comprised a 5l+ defeat (typical Goodwood, troubled passage-affair), and that demolition job (6l) at HQ.

Looks like the penny has well and truly dropped and Mutaawid could be the proverbial Group horse-in-waiting, though I note he's got an entry in the prestigious John Smith's handicap at York next month, too.

Another thriller in prospect.

This is an example of a Lucky 15. If you can improve upon my selections (of course you can), then go for it!

The odds can fluctuate between publishing our pieces and race-time. As a guide, a £0.50p win Lucky 15 on today's selections, at the prices, and assuming all four won, would return around £95 for your total £7.50 stake.

Fred, 'The Bonus King,' invented the 'Lucky' series of bets and their bonuses. My colleague Adam has set out all you need to know with this handy guide - take a look by clicking here.

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Lucky 15 tips from Betfred Insights.