Epsom Derby Betting / Timeform / 05 June 2009 / Leave a comment

It's Derby Day on Saturday and, following the withdrawal of William Haggas's South Easter, twelve go to post for the big race which is dominated by Irish entries, writes Timeform.

Aidan O'Brien runs six in the Epsom showpiece, including the unbeaten Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Fame And Glory.

The biggest challenge from across the waters, however, may come from John Oxx's Two Thousand Guineas winner Sea The Stars who, as a half-brother to Derby winner Galileo out of Arc winner Urban Sea looks an ideal type for this race. British hopes for the race seem to rest on Brian Meehan's Crowded House despite the colt putting in a bitterly disappointing reappearance run behind Black Bear Island in the Dante at York. It is sure to be, as always, a fascinating contest.

As might be expected, the rest of the card at Epsom has a competitive look to it. James Fanshawe's Spacious makes her seasonal reappearance in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes and she must go close based on her creditable efforts in Group 1's last year. The trickiest race on the day for punters is surely the Epsom Dash. A field of 20 line up and it is certain to be fast and furious. Kevin Ryan's enigmatic Wi Dud appears to have found some form and looks potentially well handicapped if putting his best foot forward. Sprint king Dandy Nicholls has won the race three times in the last ten years and runs four this time around - it is notable however that stable jockey Adrian Nicholls is riding Masta Plasta at Musselburgh in the feature race in Scotland, the Scottish Sprint Cup Stakes.

As well as Epsom and Musselburgh the racing this Saturday comes from Doncaster, Hexham and Worcester in the afternoon and Lingfield, Newcastle and the Curragh in the evening.

Sunday's cards have a rather more low-key feel to them. Southwell, Brighton and Worcester providing some mundane fare to bring the curtain down on the week.