Epsom Derby 2019

An electric day at Epsom as Anapurna justified the confidence at a juicy 10/1!

The colts are in action on Saturday for the Derby and there are 3 names to consider here; Sir Dragonet, Telecaster and Broome. I don't think they are head and shoulders above the rest of the field at this point of their careers.

Sir Dragonet could be an "anything" horse. His wins over the classic distance have been dominant and he has only started racing this year. Kind of reminds me of Justify, the Triple Crown winner in the US or the great Lammtarra who won the Derby after a maiden win. Lack of experience will be the main factor against him but his class might be more than enough to compensate. He very possibly in a superstar in the making.

Telecaster has shown all the right aptitudes for a serious Derby contender. His last 2 wins have been telling and he hasn't shown any chinks in his armour yet. I think he will be a leading player in the middle-distance division this year. His pedigree cries stamina and he should relish the distance. A major player who should be thereabouts at the finish.

Broome has won his 2 trials comprehensively and should be relied to put in a solid effort in the race. The fact that he was off the bridle quite early on in the Derrinstown Stud Trial at Leopardstown might be seen as a negative but he quickened quite nicely at the finish to suggest that he has the gears to kick late on. I like him as a place prospect.

Win: Sir Dragonet
Place: Telecaster, Broome

Epsom Oaks 2019

Friday is Oaks day and it could very well be called Frankel day or Gosden day as I see this being a contest between Anapurna and Mehdaayih, both from the Gosden stable and both by Frankel.

If there is a filly that will scupper Gosden's plans, it will be Pink Dogwood, from the all-powerful Ballydoyle stable. The daughter of Camelot will relish this 12f trip and had a convincing seasonal return last month. She should be in the thereabouts at the finish.

Anapurna has the best pedigree for the distance going into the race. Her mare, Dash to the Top, is a daughter of the peer-less Montjeu, whose progeny were the best at the classic distance. She has won her last couple of races running away and if she takes to the cambers of Epsom, she must have a huge chance. A top 3 finish is definitely a live possibility.

Mehdaayih was oh-so-impressive in winning the Cheshire Oaks. Her pedigree does not scream a mile and a half but the way she quickened away from the field in that race indicates she should tackle the stamina-sapping distance very well. I think she deserves to start favourite although Pink Dogwood seems to have the favours of the bookies for the moment.

Shall the above 3 fail to fire, then Maqsad could very well pick up the pieces. This daughter of Siyouni won the Pretty Polly Stakes in impressive fashion and although I do have reservations about her in a 12f contest, she has good chances to make the frame.

Win: Mehdaayih/Anapurna
Top 4: Maqsad, Pink Dogwood

EPL 2018/19 - Final week

Brighton v Man City - Away
Burnley v Arsenal - Home
Crystal Palace v Bournemouth - Home
Fulham v Newcastle - Away
Leicester v Chelsea - Home
Liverpool v Wolves - Draw
Man Utd v Cardiff - Home
Southampton v Huddersfield - Home
Tottenham v Everton - Away
Watford v West Ham - Draw

And so it ends, one of the most exciting finishes of the Premier League for a long time, with Man City most likely the victors come Sunday evening. I just cannot see them lose points at Brighton. There are a few reasons I think Liverpool are not guaranteed to win against Wolves; their midweek exertions (including post-match) against Barcelona, and Wolves are no push-overs as well. But more importantly, deep down the Kops are aware they are almost chasing a lost cause and will have some of their minds on the upcoming UCL final.
Here are some value nuggets for this last weekday. I see Burnley shocking Arsenal. The Gunners will probably field a secondary team as they have almost no chance of making the Top 4 and they won't recuperate fully from their mid-week Europa league exertions. Like the Kops, they will look forward to their upcoming Europa final against Chelsea.
Another golden nugget regarding those same Blues who will be vulnerable for their trip to Leicester. I mentioned before that the Foxes are a different animal with Brendan Rodgers at the helm and they will create problems for Chelsea. Were it not for Kompany's strike, Leicester might have held Man City in mid-week and thrown the title to Liverpool. They are that dangerous and will be more so next year.

Thanks for tuning in and hope you enjoyed and benefited from my ramblings over the course of this amazing EPL season.

Accumulator: Man City/ Man Utd/ Southampton/ Leicester/ Burnley