Friday, July 3, 2020

Derby, Jockey Club, Coral Eclipse, F1, EPL, Sports at its best

Glorious, simply glorious week-end of sports coming up. Premier League, Derby, Oaks, Coral Eclipse, Prix du Jockey Club. Formula 1. Just fantastic!

Let's start with the EPL. Late rumours of Fernandes and Pogba being injured in training today have surfaced but even without the pair, the Red Devils should be too good for Bournemouth. Looking at the remaining matches, Man Utd look to have an excellent chance to sneak into that 4th UCL spot but Fernandes must stay injury-free. Leicester can finally start some much-needed momentum by beating visiting Crystal Palace.

Let's go racing; I cannot recall a more exciting week-end of racing than this. First, the Derby where I really like how English King is going into it. He hit the line really well in the Lingfield Trial and he is certain to stay. If he takes to the cambers of Epsom, he must have a leading chance. People talk of Kameko, the Guineas winner. I am not certain this fellow will stay and the predicted rain will not help his chances. I like each-way chances of Mohican Heights and Russian Emperor as well.

Now the Oaks. Sure, Love looks a worthy favourite after a tremendous 1000 Guineas romp. She won't like the wet conditions though. If there is a filly I have been impressed with, it's Frankly Darling from the Gosden stable. Her Ribblesdale victory at Ascot put her a class of her own. I think she can upset Love.

The Coral Eclipse Stakes on Sunday looks as good a race as any in the past years. I mean, we have Enable, the best horse of the past couple of years, Japan, Deidre and Ghaiyyath, all fantastic Group 1 winners in their own right. I think Enable will need the race and is thus beatable on her return. Her main aim is the Arc, so getting beat here will be no issue for connections. Deidre will be vulnerable too on her return and the Arc is also her main aim this year. This leaves Japan and Ghaiyyath. I laid Japan at Ascot as he was always going to need the run in a hot contest. He did well to finish not too far off the winner. He should be very fit for this one. Ghaiyyath must show he can put in 2 great races in a row. Apparently he should now be able to, according to trainer Appleby. If he can now consistently put in his relentless front pace without fading, he can be the monster Godolphin fans want him to be. I will side with Japan here. Enable really looks vulnerable on her seasonal bow.

The French will be having their Derby as well in the Prix du Jockey Club. Victor Ludorum should be at the finish although he might be vulnerable to an outsider. I will opt for Ludorum for the safe place. The Fillies equivalent, the Prix Diane looks too competitive to call.

Finally, Formula 1 is back and Lewis Hamilton should be the dominant again; unless Red Bull or Ferrari have tremendously improved their cars. Unless contrarily proven, looks best to side with Hamilton again this year.

Happy punting!


Win Derby: English King
Each-way Derby: Mohican Heights, Russian Emperor
Win Oaks; Frankly Darling
Win Coral Eclipse: Japan
Sell Coral Eclipse: Enable
Place Jockey Club: Victor Ludorum
Win: Man Utd, Leicester

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