/ Editor / 01 June 2007 /

Derby Stakes (Group 1 - 1m 4f 10yd) Epsom - Saturday 16:20

Authorized heads a very lop-sided market for the Vodafone Derby (16:20) and at evens or worse, surely the horse is crying out to be laid given that there are several horses with similar chances who can be backed at double-figure odds.

There has been a great deal of hype attached to Authorized, not least because he gives Frankie Dettori arguably his best chance of breaking a Derby hoodoo on his 14th ride in the race, and trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam admits that keeping a lid on the Italian's emotions is one of his main tasks on Saturday.

Authorized has won his last two races impressively, quickening up smartly off the bridle but punters must ask themselves whether the horse, who is only joint top-rated on official figures with Eagle Mountain, deserves to be so short.

You could argue that his form is style over substance. The 13 horses who finished behind him in the Racing Post Trophy last season have mustered just two wins between them since and the horse that chased him home in the Dante Stakes at York (Raincoat) was at the time rated 32lb Authorized's inferior.

Layers of Authorized need something on their side to beat him of course, but even from the unusually large number of runners beginning with the letter A, there are a couple of good candidates in Admiralofthefleet and Aqaleem.

Admiralofthefleet's tame loss on his Leopardstown return is worrying, until you note that he was also well beaten on his first start last season. His profile is that of a horse who improves hugely between races, that was the case last season which he ended by winning the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes. There was a lot to like about the way he brushed aside classy Esher Cup winner Desert Dew in the Dee Stakes last time.

Aqaleem finished in front of Authorized on the only occasion they met, outstaying him in the Haynes, Hanson and Clark Stakes. The way he put daylight between himself and the rest at the finish of the Lingfield Derby trial was most encouraging.

Three others who look especially overpriced are Lucarno, Soldier of Fortune and Yellowstone.

Lucarno has burst on the scene only this spring and this front runner attracts in the back-to-lay category, as he is still likely to be vying for the lead halfway up the straight.

Like Admiralofthefleet, Soldier of Fortune won for Aidan O'Brien at Chester and appears to have a lot going for him, despite a jockey booking which suggests that he is some way down the Ballydoyle pecking order. He was touched off in a Group 1 last season (by Oaks favourite Passage of Time) and is unbeaten this year, comfortably defeating a smart French field in the Prix Noailles before giving Derby supplementary entry Arabian Gulf 4lb and a narrow beating in the Chester Vase.

Yellowstone is a tempting place prospect as he appears to be improving and his style is to finish well - he was going on much better at the finish of the Leopardstown Derby trial, for example, than his much better fancied stable companion Archipenko.

Open Woodcote looks a minefield

Woodcote Stakes (Listed 6f) Epsom - Saturday 14:30

A terrific, open contest for the Woodcote Stakes (14:30) means it is very tough call for punters. The race will draw together several juvenile form lines, but being hard and fast about them at this stage is almost impossible.

Cracking conceded weight all around when winning the Lily Agnes at Chester and will have to do so again. Along with Listed-winning stable companion Sweepstake and two other scorers in this field (Bespoke Boy and Cee Bargara), Cracking has helped first-season stallion Acclamation to make a great start and being out of a mare by Bustino, he shouldn't find the extra furlong too onerous.

Richard Hughes cannily engineered an easy lead on Cracking at Chester and always seemed to be holding the favourite Fast Feet. Wins at Chester and Brighton show his adaptability, which is another plus at this unique track.

Both Declaration of War and Kersaint were able to beat the Listed-placed Silver Quest on their respective debuts. Kersaint is a toughie who went on to run a close third to the penalised Mount Pleasure at Ascot. Preference though, is just for Peter Chapple-Hyam's Declaration of War, who showed a lot of natural pace in the early stages and then a good battling attitude at the finish when winning at Newmarket.

Mount Pleasure's stable companion Cee Bargara is an interesting contestant and looks overpriced, which marks him down as a back-to-lay possible. He pulled too hard and ran green before chasing home subsequent Listed placed Cristal Clear at Ripon, then winning nicely under a confident ride from Tom Queally at Pontefract. Mick Kinane is sure to get a good ride from this one.

Irish Jig got very close to one of Ireland's top two-year-olds (Warsaw) at Leopardstown and then bolted up at the same track by five lengths and looks a major player.

Mister Hardy won in likeable style at Newcastle and it is intriguing that Bryan Smart, whose Nickel Silver chased home successful gamble Bespoke Boy at Ripon, takes on that impressive winner with Lieutenant Pigeon, who eventually got well on top of hot favourite Latin Class at Hamilton.

Bespoke Boy has been the early ante-post favourite for this race, but laying whoever starts as market leader could be the best advice in a very open heat.

Emperor to reign supreme

Diomed Stakes (Group 2 1m 114yd) Epsom - Saturday 15:00

A fascinating tactical battle is on the cards in the Diomed Stakes (15.00) with three potential front runners in the small line-up, so there will be plenty of scope for in-play action.

Blue Ksar ended last season in great form, twice beating better fancied Godolphin stable companions at Newbury and Newmarket, on both occasions leading some way from home and seeing off all-comers.

He continued his winning ways on his Lingfield return and is probably a worthy favourite, without representing any value at odds-on.

Ranged against him are the hard-working and progressive handicapper Blythe Knight, while Welsh Emperor drops in class after tackling either Group 1 or 2 company on his last six starts.

Blythe Knight, last year's Lincoln winner, was kept busy over the winter both on the sand and in hurdle races, winning a Grade 2 novices' event at Aintree and put up his best performance on the Flat when beating Victoria Cup scorer Wise Dennis in the Hambleton Handicap at York.

Blythe Knight has plenty to do on official figures but is so tough he cannot be dismissed.

Welsh Emperor is another hardy competitor who, under a fine ride from Jamie Spencer, scored a great battling victory over Jeremy in the Hungerford Stakes at Newbury last season. Micky Fenton might have to be a little circumspect since Welsh Emperor is trying a new trip, but he still looks favourite to make the running.

King Jock and Ordnance Row will be there to pick up the pieces if the early pace is too fast.

Much-travelled Irish raider King Jock just lacked the finishing speed to win the two Group races he contested in Britain last summer, but he tries hard and has already been a good third in Germany this spring behind the Queen's Banknote.

Ordnance Row came from last to third in a valuable handicap at Newmarket last time and for all that, he appears to have a mountain to climb on official figures. It would be no surprise if Richard Hughes launches a telling late challenge on him.

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