Weekend Preview: Epsom Derby tops classic bill

The Derby is the highlight of this weekend and arguably the British Flat season as a whole as Camelot attempts to become just the third horse in 25 years to complete the 2000 Guineas and Derby double. Camelot was a gallant winner of the Newmarket classic last month, staying on powerfully from the rear to overhaul French Fifteen in the closing stages, proving stamina to be his forte in testing conditions and earning a Timeform rating of 123p. Chief amongst his rivals on Saturday will be Bonfire and Main Sequence, winners of the Dante Stakes and the Lingfield Derby Trial respectively.

The Coronation Cup is the other feature race on Saturday and St Nicholas Abbey looks a very worthy favourite having landed the contest 12 months ago. St Nicholas Abbey proved himself a solid Group 1 performer last year in a season which culminated with victory in the Breeders' Cup Turf, and he can get back to winning ways having finished second on his two starts this year. Masked Marvel is likely to pose the biggest threat according to the figures but the Ballydoyle runner is considered 8 lb superior to that rival in the mile-and-a-half mile contest.

The listed Woodcote Stakes also features on the Epsom undercard with some promising juveniles set to go to post in what is traditionally an informative race. Richard Fahey's Euxton Hall could be the one to beat but he will have to build upon his winning debut effort with the likes of Heavy Metal and Lastchancelucas in the field.

The Epsom Dash is the handicap highlight of the afternoon with 20 runners in line for the five-furlong sprint. Dickie's Lad currently heads the Timeform ratings despite two disappointing performances this year, whilst last year's fast-finishing seventh Jamesway is another who is well fancied. York Glory, a Timeform Horse In Focus, is another entered along with Desert Law, the latter trained by Andrew Balding, who could enjoy a very successful afternoon at Epsom.

There is also pattern action over at Haydock on Saturday and the seven-furlong Timeform Jury Stakes is the highlight on a seven-race card. Red Jazz currently heads the figures after a course-and-distance victory in the Spring Trophy Stakes but he will have to be at his very best to defeat the likes of Pastoral Player, Majestic Myles and Royal Rock.

The Group racing comes thick and fast as just over half an hour later Khawlah, Myplacelater and Set To Music all will all go to post for the Pinnacle Stakes. Set To Music was one of the most improved horses in training last season and she should have an outstanding chance if able to regain the progressive thread that saw her land four races.

The Sandy Lane Stakes, a listed contest over six furlongs, is another competitive affair with Samminder, Es Que Love, Bogart and Slade Power all in the line-up. Of the quartet, Samminder could be the most likely winner, open to more progression than his rivals after just five starts.

There are some highly competitive handicaps taking place at Musselburgh with the Tradesman's Derby and the Scottish Sprint Trophy races of interest. Spirit of The Law and Priestley's Reward look to have the former contest between them based on Timeform ratings, whilst Barnet Fair, Lost in Paris and Nasri are the three to beat in the latter race.

British Flat racing is completed by meetings at Beverley and Catterick on Saturday afternoon, whilst there is an evening jumps card at Stratford.

Nottingham is the sole venue for action on the level in Britain on Sunday, a class 3 five-furlong handicap the highlight on a seven-race card. Uttoxeter and Fontwell host National Hunt racing, whilst there are meetings at both Kilbeggan and Listowel over in Ireland, the former over obstacles.

The Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly is the racing highlight on Sunday with plenty of top three-year-olds set to go to post for the race better known as the French Derby. French Fifteen is likely to be in with an excellent chance of bettering his narrow 2000 Guineas defeat, whilst Andre Fabre's Albion will be ridden by Frankie Dettori. Imperial Monarch could line up for Ballydoyle after an impressive victory in the Sandown Classic Trial, with Kesampour also a possible entrant after a win in last month's Prix Greffulhe, the race won last season by Pour Moi before his Epsom heroics.

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It's the Group 3 Timeform Jury Stakes at Haydock on Saturday - Find out how you can make £400 a month profit with the successful daily tipping service HERE.