Epsom Derby Betting / Wayne Bailey / 02 June 2009 /

Wayne Bailey takes a look at the main protagonists for Friday's Group one contest, where the Mick Channon-trained Youmzain heads the early markets...

Youmzain
My wife and I attended the 2008 Prix de l´Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp, and when it became clear that Duke Of Marmalade (which we had backed) wasn't going to win, I cheered for Youmzain as he's been an unlucky horse throughout his career. It's wasn't his day however, and the outstanding Zarkava went home with the prize money (see picture) with Mick Channon's horse runner-up.
Indeed, he also had to settle for second place when he contested the Coronation Cup last year, the winner being Aidan O'Brien's Soldier Of Fortune; but in fairness, he did go on to reverse that form later on that month at Saint-cloud.
So is Friday finally the big day? If he can stay out of trouble in-running, the answer is a cautious 'yes'. One of the main problems with the six-year-old is that he likes to be held up and ends up doing his best work in the final stages of a race. But he can't always get away with that style against top class animals and it's usually a case of too little too late. However, if I've read the form book correctly, he should have a couple of pounds in hand here, and a price of [3.7] on Betfair seems fair for this versatile sort than can handle most types of ground.

Ask
I quite like this Sir Michael Stoute trained horse and was particularly impressed with his run last-time-out when winning the Group 2 Emirates Airline Yorkshire Cup at York. I'd rather not back him ante-post however as he seems to like a bit of cut in the ground. His record on good-to-soft reads 11161 but if you compare that to his good-to-firm record of 32055 you will see why the weather is an important variable. At the moment, the forecast is for good ground but that could well change if the sun keeps shining. He's definitely a contender for a place, but [8.4] in the win market is a little too short for me.

Look Here
It's been 25 years since a female horse won the Coronation Cup so on that basis, Look Here is up against it - although I do concede that females have been under-represented in that time period so it's not a stat to look too deeply into. She won the Oaks here last year however, so she has obvious claims. She's performed well in the past on various types of ground although connections have said she doesn't like it lightning fast. She had some training problems last season and hasn't run since coming fourth in the St Leger back in September; so we have to take it on trust that Ralph Beckett has her back to her best. She's definitely in with a good chance, but I'm going to play it safe and back her in the place market.

Frozen Fire
He won the Irish Derby last year but has been a little disappointing since. He came last of three horses in the Group three betchronicle.com Ormonde Stakes at Chester (won by Buccellati) having gone off at [1.75] on Betfair - but that 'race' was an embarrassment to the sport with the contestants virtually trotting along for the best part of a mile. He may have more to come but it's a guessing game really and on that basis, I couldn't recommend backing him on Friday.

Buccellati
As mentioned, he won at Chester but that race told us nothing. He's another type that likes to be held up so it will be interesting to see what type of ride William Buick gives on Friday. He's best on good-to-firm and likes going left handed so conditions may be in his favour; however, I think he's a little out of his depth here and may struggle in the business end of the race.

Advice:
Back Youmzain to win
Back Look Here to place

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Post script - As I write this article, it has just been announced that Ireland's greatest ever trainer Vincent O'Brien has passed away. His achievements were nothing short of incredible and he made the Irish nation very proud. The success of Ballydoyle is a testament to his hard work and he'll be sadly missed in racing circles. Rest in peace.

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