Epsom Derby Festival Betting Preview
This week sees the most influential flat racing meeting of the season, as Epsom Downs once again plays host to the huge Derby Festival. Kicking off on Friday, the fillies are the first to grab the spotlight in what looks like an excellent edition of the Oaks, before the colts get their chance to shine in the Derby on Saturday – this year taking place at the earlier time of 1:30pm, due to a certain football match taking place at Wembley Stadium.
Here we take a look at each of the feature races and pick out our best win and each way contenders. All odds quoted are from William Hill.
The Oaks – Friday 2nd June 4:30pm
Super stallion Galileo has already sired five winners of the 1m4f fillies Classic but, having passed away in 2021, he won’t have too many more chances to add to that tally. He is, however, responsible for this year's favourite in the shape of Savethelastdance (6/5). The mount of Ryan Moore is typical of a rapidly improving filly from the O’Brien yard, and, having been well beaten on her only start at two, she showed much more when winning at Leopardstown on her return. It was, however, her jaw-dropping effort in the Cheshire Oaks last time - when routing the opposition by a ridiculous 22 lengths - which saw her rocket to the head of the market. This is tougher, but she may not be done improving yet and rates a major threat to all.
In recent years, this contest has regularly turned into an Aidan O’Brien vs John Gosden battle, and we look to be in for more of the same in 2023, with the John & Thady Gosden trained Soul Sister (11/4) clear second best in the market. Winner of a low-key event on her sole start last season, she was then last of 12 in the Dubai Duty Free at Newbury… and then came the Musidora Stakes at York. Sent off an unfancied 18/1 shot, the mount of Frankie Dettori suddenly put in the performance of a superstar, moving through the gears and quickening right away in the closing stages.
Others to note include the Godolphin contender, Eternal Hope (14/1), who won the Lingfield Oaks Trial in decent style, and the second Gosden filly, Running Lion (6/1), who arrives seeking a five-timer. At a much bigger price, Aidan O’Brien’s Red Riding Hood (40/1) boasts an intriguing pedigree, being by a US Triple Crown winner and out of Group 1 winning mare, Ballydoyle. She needs to improve to win this, but has finished in the frame in all four starts to date, and isn’t without hope of doing so again.
- Best Win Bet - Soul Sister @ 11/4
- Best Each Way Bet - Red Riding Hood @ 40/1
The Derby Saturday 3rd June 1:30pm
Aidan O’Brien also saddles the favourite in the big one on Saturday afternoon - although Auguste Rodin’s status as 3/1 market leader certainly isn’t down to his performance in the 2000 Guineas last time out. Sent off clear favourite for that Newmarket classic, he put in an abject display to finish 12th of the 14 runners. That effort was surely too bad to be true, with the son of Deep Impact having looked so impressive during his juvenile season and been touted as the next big thing over the winter. All horses can be forgiven one poor outing, and he’s in the right hands to bounce back – but certainly needs to.
On recent form, the Charlie Appleby trained Military Order (9/2) appears far more solid. Kicking his season off with an easy novice success at Newbury, he followed up in gritty style in the Lingfield Derby Trial last time out. Hitting the line strongly that day, this full brother to 2021 Derby hero Adayar looks to boast sound claims of following in his sibling's hoofprints.
Another for the shortlist is the Frankel-sired, Frankie Dettori-ridden Arrest (5/1). Going in the famous Juddmonte silks, this John & Thady Gosden-trained colt built on a solid two-year-old campaign when slamming the field in the Chester Vase. A relentless galloping type, he could likely have doubled the 6½ length winning margin that day had Frankie asked him for everything in the straight. A win for the evergreen Italian in his final Derby appearance would certainly go down well with punters, and he may have the partner to succeed.
Amongst those at bigger prices, Dubai Mile (16/1) beat Arrest last season, whilst The Foxes (12/1), White Birch (14/1) and Passenger (6/1) posted eye-catching displays in the Dante Stakes at York. Galileo colt, Artistic Star (40/1), meanwhile, is the only unbeaten runner in the field, and whilst this represents a huge step up in class, he has done all that has been asked of him so far and looks the part on paper.
- Best Win Bet - Arrest @ 5/1
- Best Each Way Bet - Artistic Star @ 40/1
Top 20 Betting Offers
|
18+ New customers only. Place a £5+ bet at minimum odds of 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £25 in Free Sports Bets + 50 Free Spins (valued at £0.10 each), valid for 7 days on selected bets and games. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org |
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Opt in via mobile or app and bet £10 on any sports market (odds of 2.00+) within 7 days of registration. Get 3x£10 Free Bets on selected sports markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly |
|||||
|
New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. One welcome offer per customer. Bet a minimum of £/€10 at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £/€10 Win + £/€10 Place) within 7 days of registration to qualify. Receive £/€20 Tote Credit, £/€10 sports Free Bet and 20 Free Spins on Big Bass Bonanza within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool or sports bet added to the bet slip. 7-day expiry. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
T&Cs apply. 18+ New customers only. You must place a single win-only bet of £10 or more with odds of evens (2.00) or greater to qualify. Money back as £10 in free bets. Free bet is credited the day after the qualifying bet has settled. Must use code B10G10 when creating an account. |
|||||
|
New Customers Only. Sign up with bonus code: EB20. Bet £20 and get £20 in Free Bets. Paid as £5 Free Bet on Soccer, £5 Free Bet on Horse Racing, £5 Free Bet on Multiples and a £5 Free Bet on any Market. Terms apply 18+ gambleaware.org. |
|||||
|
New customers Only. New customer must place and settle £50 in bets on Matchbook markets only. The user must bet on at least 4 different events to qualify. The user must place and settle bets at odds of 2.0 or more. Bets can be placed on singles, multiples and Bet Builders. The user must place and settle bets before the closing date of the promotion to qualify. . T's and C's Apply. Be Gamble Aware. 18+ |
|||||
|
18+. New customers only. Min first deposit £20. Opt-in for the "Welcome Offer" during registration. Free Bet 1: 50% of your stake back as a Free bet (up to £30) if your first qualifying bet loses. Free Bet 2: 50% of your stake back as a Free Bet (up to £20) if your second qualifying bet loses. Min odds to qualify Evens (2.0). T&Cs Apply. Please gamble responsibly. |
|||||
|
New Customers use code EPL10. Deposit £10 and place a bet of £10 on any Premier League Outrights 2025/26 market at minimum odds of 2.0. Free Bet credited within 24 hours and must be wagered on English Premier League markets only. Full Terms apply. Bangers N'Cash rewards are a separate promotional scheme and must be opted into during the weekly promotional period via the BetWright Rewards Section. 18+ begambleaware. |
|||||
|
*New UK customers only. Min Stake: £5. Maximum Free Bet: £30. First bet on a Football, Horse Racing, Tennis, Cricket or Basketball multiple with 3+ selections. Overall odds: 3.00 (2/1) or higher. Free Bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Earn a £30 Uber Eats Voucher on successful Acca qualification. Debit Card deposit only (exclusions apply). This offer is valid 7 days from the new account being registered. 18+ GambleAware.org. Bet the Responsible Way. Full Terms apply |
|||||
|
Place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2 and get 3 x £10 free fixed odds bets, 3 x £5 Total Goals football spread bets and 3 x £5 Winning Favourites spread bets and a £1 racing Race Index spread bet.18+ www.gambleaware.org. |
|||||
|
New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility exclusions & T&Cs Apply. |
|||||
|
18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 to get 4 x £5 free bets. Free bet available to use on selected sportsbook markets only. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. Restrictions + T&Cs apply. |
|||||
|
18+ New Customers Only. Place a single £10 bet within 3 calendar days of registration. Bet must settle on the same day of placement. Min odds Evens (2.00). 4 x £5 Free Bets valid for 7 days. Max win £250. T&Cs apply. Ends 28/02/25. GB residents only. Gamble responsibly |
|||||
|
18+. Play Safe. Online only. For new UK register customers using promo code G40. Deposit & place £10 cash single bet (min odds 1/2) on sportsbook (excl. Virtuals). Get £40 in Free Bets (4x£10), valid for sportsbook (excl. Virtuals), 7 days expiry, must use in full (£10 each). Not valid with deposits via PayPal, Neosurf, Paysafe, Apple Pay, NETELLER, Skrill, ecoPayz, Kalibra/Postpay or WH PLUS Card. One per customer. Full T&Cs apply. www.gambleaware.org #ad |
|||||
|
New bettors; Code SPORT; Wager deposit & bonus 8x; Max qualifying bet stake=initial bonus; Valid 60 days; Min odds, payment method exclusions apply; New customers only. T&C apply; 18+ Please gamble responsibly. |
|||||
|
New Customer only. £10 in real money. Bets placed on sports at odds of 2.00 or more to qualify. Bets must be placed 24 hours within registration. £10 free bets must be wagered on sports. Full terms apply. Gambling can be addictive, play responsibly. 18+ |
|||||
|
18+. BeGambleAware.org. New customers only. Min. £10 deposit, debit card only. Up to 50x wagering, game contributions vary, max. stake applies, 7 day expiry. See full terms. #AD |
|||||
|
New customers place a £10 fixed odds bet at minimum odds of 1/2. Get 2 x £10 free bets. 18+ begambleaware |
|||||
|
18+ New customers only. Min deposit £20. Min Wager £20 at min odds 1/1 (2.0). Max free bet £20. T&Cs apply begambleaware. |
