16:30 Investec Derby
This is the biggest Derby field for quite some time and it is a really open looking race with several runners in with a chance of landing the spoils and over £875k in prize money.
Minding was far too good for her rivals in the Oaks yesterday and the O'Brien family have four runners in the showpiece today. US Army Ranger is the pick on form having won both of his starts to date and currently heads the market as joint favourite at 5/1. His wins have been on soft and good ground so there should be no problem with today's conditions and a big run is expected.
Port Douglas is another O'Brien runner and he was staying on brilliantly when almost catching US Army Ranger last time out at Chester. On the day I thought Heffernan could have done a little more to get to the eventual winner and it will be interesting to see how he ridden today. On the Chester run there appears to be very little between the two, therefore the price of 16/1 is appealing.
Andre Fabre comes across the Channel and brings Cloth Of Stars, who's sire is the brilliant Sea The Stars. He was the impressive winner of the Greffulhe Stakes last time out and that is a route that the Fabre trained Pour Moi took in 2011 when winning here at Epsom. He was staying on mightily impressively over the nine furlongs so seems likely to get the extra three furlongs without too much trouble. Like O'Brien, Fabre knows exactly what it takes to win this race and I really like his chances.
Last year's winning trainer jockey combination of Gosden and Dettori team up again with Wings Of Desire. He won the Dante at York at a nice price and is highly fancied today. That win was on good to firm ground so any rain make it interesting as it's a bit of an unknown how useful he is on a softer surface. He beat a good looking field in the Dante, including the short price Midterm, so if running to his potential he has a definite chance in this.
Today's Selections
Cloth Of Stars - 2 points @ 9/1 (William Hill)
Port Douglas - 1 point each way @ 18/1 (Paddy Power, Coral)