Yahoo Sport UK’s 2016 Epsom Derby Guide & Saturday’s top horse racing selections

Yahoo Sport UK has teamed up with Bet4Causes to bring you a preview of the day’s British racing – and The Night Hawk marks your card.

The Epsom Derby is the third British Classic of the season and it takes place this afternoon at Epsom. Sixteen three-year-old colts are scheduled to go to post for the Group 1 contest, run over a distance of a mile and a half.

Here follows the preview of today’s big race, complete with a runner-by-runner guide, brought to you Bet4Causes, complete with all Saturday, 4th June’s selections our idea of a Lucky 15 permutation (four singles, six doubles, four trebles and a four-fold) for the British and Irish meetings…

RACE OF THE DAY: THE INVESTEC DERBY (Group 1)

4:30 Epsom Downs, 1m4f, (3yo colts)

FORECAST: Wings of Desire (4/1), Us Army Ranger (9/2), Cloth Of Stars (6/1), Ulysses (7/1), Deauville (8/1), Harzand (12/1), Moonlight Magic (12/1), Massaat (14/1), Port Douglas (14/1), Idaho (16/1), Algometer (20/1), Red Verdon (20/1), Across The Stars (25/1), Humphrey Bogart (25/1), Shogun (25/1), Biodynamic (100/1)

ACROSS THE STARS

Form: 22-13

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Jockey: Kieren Fallon

Breeding: Sea The Stars – Victoria Cross (Mark Of Esteem)

Draw: 6 Odds: 25/1

Had a relatively easy victory when accounting for three rivals in a maiden on his seasonal debut on the all-weather at Lingfield. Upped his game to run third to Humphrey Bogart in what looked a sub-standard Lingfield Derby trial on his last appearance. He went down by a length and a half, but found his path blocked at a crucial stage. Fallon is a master of Epsom – no jockey rides the course better – so the chance has to be respected in an open year. However, Across The Stars looks to be the stable’s second string.

ALGOMETER

Form: 41-21

Trainer: David Simcock Jockey: Jim Crowley

Breeding: Archipenko – Albanova (Alzao)

Draw: 4 Odds: 20/1

You can’t miss him, as he is a striking grey. The last grey to win the Derby was Airborne in 1946, although Silver Patriarch went very close in 1997. The Kirsten Rausing-owned runner landed the Cocked Hat Stakes (formerly known as the Predominate Stakes) in gritty fashion style at Goodwood (above) on his latest start. He won in spite of the race turning into something of a sprint after a muddling first 6f. Previously, he was not beaten far by winter ante-post derby favourite Midterm in the 1m2f Classic Trial at Sandown. He looks a colt with plenty of stamina and the St Leger looks the most likely Classic for him. However, with ease in the ground and chicks in the armoury of several contenders, Jim Crowley should have a fine spin round on his first Derby ride and this one will be making up ground at the finish when others have cried enough.

BIODYNAMIC

Form: 5-134

Trainer: Karl Burke Jockey: Dougie Costello

Breeding: New Approach – Doctrine (Barathea)

Draw: 7 Odds: 100/1

Though the form of his Kempton maiden win in March is solid enough, he has his colours lowered in the Chester Vase when around nine-lengths fourth to US Army Ranger and Port Douglas. He has plenty to find and it will be a surprise if he takes a hand at the finish.

CLOTH OF STARS

Form: 1132-11

Trainer: Andre Fabre Jockey: Mickael Barzalona

Breeding: Sea The Stars – Strawberry Fledge (Kingmambo)

Draw: 14 Odds: 25/1

French raider, owned by the powerful Godolphin stable. He was a fine runner-up in a Group 1 as a juvenile and reversed form with his conqueror, Robin Of Navan, on his latest start in the Group Two Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud. He had a habit of failing to settle in his races earlier in his career and with 16 runners, the occasion might get the better of him. However, the step up to 1m4f should not pose a problem if he can relax. His sire, Sea The Stars, won the 2009 Derby and his jockey has also won this race before. The ease in the ground will also prove no barrier to him.

DEAUVILLE

Form: 1125-2

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Jamie Spencer

Breeding: Galileo – Walklikeanegyptian (Danehill)

Draw: 12 Odds: 8/1

Winner of a Group 3 over 7f at Leopardstown last summer, he was beaten three-quarters of a length in the Royal Lodge Stakes by Foundation at Newmarket in September. The Dante Stakes at York is always an informative trial and he was touched off by a neck as Wings Of Desire came past (above). The form stacks up as the Royal Lodge winner was third. Workforce went one better in the 2010 Derby after finishing second at York and he is bred to get this extra furlong and a half.

HARZAND

Form: 5-11

Trainer: Dermot Weld Jockey: Pat Smullen

Breeding: Sea The Stars – Hazariya (Xaar)

Draw: 9 Odds: 12/1

Has a similar profile to Algometer, in that he is a horse who will stay all day and likes a bit of cut in the ground. His 16-length win in a modest Cork maiden (1m2f, heavy) did not look anything other than a piece of work, but he stepped up to land the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes in heavy ground at the Curragh. He is a big horse, who can grind it out. The question is whether he will come down the hill and whether he will have the pace when it matters. Not without a chance.

HUMPHREY BOGART

Form: 31424-421

Trainer: Richard Hannon Jockey: Sean Levy

Breeding: Tagula – Hazarama (Kahyasi)

Draw: 2 Odds: 25/1

Not a bad fourth to Foundation in the Royal Lodge Stakes and appears to have benefitted from a step up in trip this season. The most experienced in the line-up with eight career starts under his belt and appears to be improving, since he split So Mi Dar, the subsequent Musidora winner, and Viren’s Army, who went on to win the Dee Stakes, in the Epsom Trial. He has also won a weak Lingfield Derby Trial, and no horse since High-Rise, in 1998, has won that race and followed up in the Derby.

IDAHO

Form: 14-23

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Seamus Heffernan

Breeding: Galileo – Hveger (Danehill)

Draw: 8 Odds: 12/1

As not yet tackled 1m4f, having been placed in 10f races on his last three starts, including whe runner-up to Harzand in the Ballysax Stakes and when third to Moonlight Magic and Shogun in the Derrinstown Derby Trial this season. Looks held by Cloth Of Stars (who was runner-up) on his running in the Group 1 Criterium at Saint-Cloud last November (fouth), but the extended trip may yield improvement from one of the five Aidan O’Brien (above) runners.

MASSAAT

Form: 212-2

Trainer: Owen Burrows Jockey: Paul Hanagan

Breeding: Teofilo – Madany (Acclamation)

Draw: 11 Odds: 14/1

Stayed on well when runner-up in the Dewhurst Stakes to Air Force Blue at Newmarket last October (above, striped cap) and was again bridesmaid, staying on very well, behind Galilieo Gold in the 2,000 Guineas on his seasonal return. It is worth noting that three horses placed in the Guineas in the past eight years (Sir Percy, New Approach and Australia) have gone on to win the Derby. However, he possibly shows a little too much speed and may well find this trip a shade too far.

MOONLIGHT MAGIC

Form: 11-51

Trainer: Jim Bolger Jockey: Kevin Manning

Breeding: Cape Cross – Melikah (Lammtarra)

Draw: 1 Odds: 10/1

Won over 7f at Cork and 1m1f at Leopardstown in October, but was disappointing on his seasonal return when he got bogged down in the mud behind Harzand in the Ballysax Stakes (fifth). Put that form well behind him when beating the likes of Shogun and Idaho in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown last month. He is bred to get this extra furlong and a half, but his draw is off-putting and Kevin Manning (above) will have his work cut out to get the position he would prefer.

PORT DOUGLAS

Form: 12414-2

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Colm O’Donoghue

Breeding: Galileo – Waltzerkoenigin (Kingmambo)

Draw: 10 Odds: 14/1

Landed the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh as a juvenile and ran a cracker on his return in the Chester Vase (above, left). Though beaten narrowly by stablemate US Army Ranger, he was conceding 4lb and they meet on level terms today. He is no back number by any means and is bred for this trip. One of the better outsiders and holds a solid each-way chance.

RED VERDON

Form: 21-211

Trainer: Ed Dunlop Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa

Breeding: Lemon Drop Kid – Porto Marmay (Choisir)

Draw: 16 Odds: 20/1

Though winner of five of his seven races, he was beaten off a handicap mark of 76 at Doncaster on is seasonal bow, but has since won off marks of 80 and 88 at Chester and Haydock over today’s 1m4f trip. His trainer may be in excellent form, but he looks out of his depth and it would be a major surprise if he managed to get near the first three.

SHOGUN

Form: 71360-325

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Donnacha O’Brien

Breeding: Fastnet Rock – Perihelion (Galileo)

Draw: 5 Odds: 40/1

Has been highly tried and has plenty of experience. Those are the positives. Was a one-paced third in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket on his return and while he split Moonlight Magic and Idaho in the Derrinstown, he was well held in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. A major improvement is required to be considered.

ULYSSES

Form: 6-21

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Jockey: Adrea Atzeni

Breeding: Galileo – Light Shift (Kingmambo)

Draw: 3 Odds: 8/1

His trainer seeks a sixth win in the race and this one has been very well backed in the ante-post market. Unexposed and improving, he is attempting to become the third Derby winner to be sired by a Derby winner (Galileo) and be out of an Oaks winner (Light Shift) following Australia and Lammtarra. Showed plenty of ability on his first two starts at Newbury and Leicester, before winning a maiden by eight lengths at Newbury on good to soft ground (above), the step up to 1m2f clearly suiting him. It is a massive as to step from maiden company into this level but the weight of money and his pedigree cannot be ignored.

US ARMY RANGER

Form: 11

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore

Breeding: Galileo – Moonstone (Dalakhani)

Draw: 15 Odds: 5/1

Inexperience is the issue with this unbeaten colt. Only four horses since the war have won a Derby without having previously run as a juvenile and while he looked to have plenty of talent when winning the Chester Vase, coming from last to first to beat stablemate Port Douglas (above), he still looked very green. He was also in receipt of 4lb that day. He stayed on well and this trip should be ideal for him, but the concern, aside from the lack of experience, is the occasion and the draw. However, Ryan Moore sticks with him, rather than the others from the Ballydoyle stable.

WINGS OF DESIRE

Form: 311

Trainer: John Gosden Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Breeding: Pivotal – Gull Wing (In The Wings)

Draw: 13 Odds: 9/2

Another who will be aiming to win the race not having had a run as a two-year-old. His trainer backed off him as he said that all he did last year was grow. Third in a Newmarket maiden on his debut, he got off the mark on the all-weather at Wolverhampton, then showed considerable improvement to win the Dante at York. He was the choice of Dettori over Foundation that day and was proved correct. He should get this trip easily enough and looks to have bags of talent. He bids to become the tenth winner in the last 30 years to do the Dante-Derby double.

BET4CAUSES VERDICT:

This year’s renewal does not look a vintage one and it would not be a shock to see one of the stayers such as Algometer or Zarzand filling the frame, or Classic form coming to the fore with Massaat considered. Wings Of Desire looks capable of improvement after defying inexperience to win the Dante, so much enter calculations. US Army Ranger looked very green at Chester and has untapped potential, but the weight of money suggests ULYSSES may have more to come than he has showed so far. Remember, you can get your money back as a free bet should your selection finish second to the favourite with Bet4Causes.

Predicted finishing order: 1: Ulysses, 2: Wings Of Desire, 3: Algometer

LUCKY 15 SELECTIONS

GIBBS HILL (Newcastle 6.40) has a bit of improvement to find on his six-length defeat on his debut, but Roger Varian’s representative created a favourable impression here last time behind Tap The Honey. His juveniles usually come on for a run and he should put that experience to good use in the 1m2f maiden.

ULYSSES (Epsom 4:30) (see above)

POSTPONED (Epsom 3.10) won the King George last season and has improved with Roger Varian, winning the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan last time. He has the advantage of having stablemate Roseburg to set the pace and if there is a true gallop in the Coronation Cup, he may well have the beating of the Aidan O’Brien trained filly Found, despite her weight allowance.

DUBAI ELEGANCE (Doncaster 1.55) has her first run in 6½f novice stakes and the well-bred daughter of Sepoy may be good enough to win a race in which there are some very promising fillies with good pedigrees. Saeed bin Suroor’s stable has sent out a few decent juvenile winners and he has a fair strike rate with his 2yo debutants.

OTHER SELECTIONS

EPSOM DOWNS: 2.00 Cartago, 2.35 Sayana, 3.10 Postponed, 3.45 Green Door, 4.30 Ulysses (nb), 5.15 Duretto, 5.50 Shared Equity

DONCASTER: 1.55 Dubai Elegance, 2.30 Dacoity, 3.05 Christmas Hamper, 3.40 Clovelly Bay, 4.15 Danehill Kodiac, 5.10 Moon River, 5.40 Next Stage

HEXHAM: 1.30 It’s A Mans World, 2.05 Gurkha Brave, 2.40 Harly Forest, 3.15 Bespoke Lady, 3.50 Oliver’s Gold, 4.45 Vision De La Vie, 5.20 Mr Monochrome

MUSSELBURGH: 1.40 Top Offer, 2.15 Blair House, 2.50 Kocollada, 3.25 West Drive, 4.00 Swift Approval, 4.55 Hallingham, 5.30 Aldreth

WORCESTER: 1.45 Forth Worth, 2.20 Salto Chrisco, 2.55 Miss Tenacious, 3.30 An Scairp, 4.05 Maestro Royal, 5.00 Beau Phil, 5.35 Fearless Fantasy, 6.05 The Outlaw

LINGFIELD PARK: 5.45 Candesta, 6.20 Jarir, 6.50 Spinning Rose, 7.20 Kody Ridge, 7.50 Merhoob, 8.20 Aflame, 8.50 Remember Me

NEWCASTLE: 6.10 Tailor’s Row, 6.40 GIBBS HILL (NAP), 7.10 Yorkindred Spirit, 7.40 Bowdler’s Magic, 8.10 Hard To Handel, 8.40 Cabal, 9.10 Roy’s Legacy

CURRAGH: 4.20 Sportsmanship, 4.50 Shor Stacked, 5.25 Penny Pepper, 6.00 Marsha, 6.30 Sir Isaac Newton, 7.00 Newsman, 7.30 Muttadafeq

TRAMORE: 1.20 Crown Hill, 1.50 Icelip, 2.25 Simiel, 3.00 Conduct Yourself, 3.35 Three Stars, 4.10 Ballyfinboy, 4.40 Stylish Eilish

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