Updated at\u00a008.57 EDT<\/p>\n
2.10pm \u201cDASH\u201d HANDICAP betting<\/strong><\/p>\n Epsom Photograph: Alan Crowhurst\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a> 2.10pm \u201cDASH\u201d HANDICAP preview<\/strong><\/p>\n The first of two sprints down what is generally reckoned to be the fastest five-furlong course on the planet, downhill all the way until the rise to the line from around a half-furlong out, by which time they have all built up too much momentum to notice. The high stalls towards the stands\u2019 side are very much the place to be if there has been any rain around, as the top of the camber drains more rapidly than the inside, and Ruby\u2019s Profit, <\/strong>who was the likely favourite in any case after a comfortable win at Goodwood \u2013 a similar downhill track \u2013 last time, has the plum draw in 18. She will be tough to beat from there, although Blinky<\/strong>, next door in 17, is a danger, and the super-speedy Against The Wind <\/strong>is another that could take a hand if he makes a quick getaway from six.<\/p>\n SELECTION: RUBY\u2019S PROFIT<\/strong><\/p>\n A racegoer checks out his racecard during Derby day at Epsom. Photograph: Alan Crowhurst\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Lydia Hislop on Racing TV says she thinks there \u201cthere [must be] a big doubt about Ruling Court running in the Derby\u201d after her conversation with the horse\u2019s trainer Charlie Appleby at Epsom. Hislop says she feels after her chat with the Newmarket trainer that if there\u2019s any rain then the horse won\u2019t be running as the ground has been more churned up following horses running on it in the first two races and the precipitation that has already fallen overnight.<\/p>\n Charlie Appleby is considering whether to pull his horse Ruling Court out of the Derby. Photograph: Michael Mayhew\/Sportsphoto\/AllstarShare<\/a>1.35pm DIOMED STAKES result: Persica pounces<\/p>\n 1 Persica<\/strong> (R L Moore) 6-4 Fav A good view of the races from the double decker! Photograph: Dave Shopland\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.42 EDT<\/p>\n 1.35pm DIOMED STAKES <\/strong><\/p>\n And they\u2019re off \u2026 Tyrrhenian Sea and Royal Playwright are up front as they head down the hill towards Tattenham Corner \u2026 Persica is at the back as they head into the straight \u2026 Perisca comes through the field, strikes for home and wins under an excellent Ryan Moore ride.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.41 EDT<\/p>\n 1.35pm DIOMED STAKES betting<\/strong><\/p>\n Stylish racegoers pictured at Epsom. Photograph: Dylan Martinez\/ReutersShare<\/a> 1.35pm DIOMED STAKES preview<\/strong><\/p>\n In some respects, the most interesting runner in this all-aged event is the three-year-old Royal Playwright, <\/strong>who ran ninth, beaten around five lengths, behind Pride Of Arras <\/strong>in the Dante Stakes at York last time. A decent showing from Andrew Balding\u2019s colt would be a boost for the Knavesmire form, but he may have his work cut out to win with DOCKLANDS <\/strong>also in the field. Harry Eustace\u2019s five-year-old is without a win since landing the ultra-competitive Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot two summers ago, but he has been racing in Group One company for the most part and acquitting himself well. He was, admittedly, a beaten favourite when dropping to Listed company for his seasonal debut at Ascot, but was only half a length behind John Gosden\u2019s Sardinian Warrior, a four-year-old who looks to be on a fast-track to the top. Persica <\/strong>also drops in grade after finishing 12 lengths last in the Group One Lockinge last time, while Ice Max, <\/strong>ninth on soft ground in last season\u2019s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot, is worth a second look, especially if the going eases.<\/p>\n SELECTION: DOCKLANDS<\/strong><\/p>\n Clare Balding (centre) watches the the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom. Photograph: Aaron Chown\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n William Buick came in after the first race riding his mount Royal Dress and told ITV Racing he \u201cwasn\u2019t very happy\u201d with the ground with Ruling Court, the jockey\u2019s ride in the Derby, in mind. The horse\u2019s trainer Charlie Appleby has already stated: \u201cWe know what this track can do in these conditions, the horse is in great form and I\u2019m looking forward to him running, [but] I will just highlight that if all of a sudden we get a deluge [of rain)] and the ground becomes very testing, then conversations will have to be had during the build-up to the race over whether we participate or not.\u201d<\/p>\n Apparently jockey and trainer are deep in conversation currently. The horse has drifted in the betting this morning but it would be a big blow if the 2,000 Guineas winner can\u2019t race this afternoon.<\/p>\n The wining rider in the race, Robert Havlin, did point out: \u201cIt\u2019s good to soft, but a quick shower won\u2019t take much to turn it to soft.\u201d<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.25 EDT<\/p>\n 1pm PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES result: Spiritual stars<\/p>\n 1 Spiritual<\/strong> (R Havlin) 9-1 Spiritual all on her own on her way to winning the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom. Photograph: John Walton\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.08 EDT<\/p>\n 1pm PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES<\/strong><\/p>\n And they\u2019re off \u2026Spiritual leads as they head down the hill towards Tattenham Corner \u2026 Bright Thunder is also there as they head into the straight \u2026 Kindest Nation is in big trouble at the back \u2026 Spiritual goes for home with Bright Thunder challenging \u2026 but Spiritual romps clear for a very easy success.<\/p>\n Share<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a008.07 EDT<\/p>\n 1pm PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES betting<\/strong><\/p>\n Hoots Mon! Photograph: Harry Murphy\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a> 1pm PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES preview<\/strong><\/p>\n Royal Dress, Bermuda Longtail <\/strong>and Sparks Fly <\/strong>have all been attracting money this morning, probably because all have soft-ground experience. Royal Dress boasts first-time up wins in each of the last two seasons, one on soft ground and the other on heavy, while Sparks Fly <\/strong>won two Listed events on heavy ground last autumn. This is a very open contest to kick off the card, though, and Skellet <\/strong>\u2013 top of the Timeform ratings \u2013 and SIRONA, <\/strong>a winner on soft at Newmarket last September, also come into the reckoning. Ryan Moore was aboard Sirona for that win, he is back in her saddle today and she was not far behind a very useful opponent in Crimson Advocate at Goodwood on her seasonal debut, so odds of around 7-1 could prove to be generous.<\/p>\n SELECTION: SIRONA<\/strong><\/p>\n Billy Loughnane and trainer George Boughey check the course ahead of the first race at Epsom. Photograph: John Walton\/PAShare<\/a> 3.30pm The Derby<\/a> preview<\/strong><\/p>\n Our detailed runner-by-runner guide to the big race is here<\/a>, and a preview of all of today\u2019s ITV Racing coverage is here<\/a>, but in summary, I\u2019m not at all convinced that Ruling Court, <\/strong>the 2,000 Guineas winner, will get home over 12 furlongs, and also a little sceptical about the strength of the Leopardstown trial won by Delacroix, <\/strong>or whether this step up in trip is what he needs. Lambourn\u2019s <\/strong>defeat of Lazy Griff <\/strong>in the 12-furlong Chester Vase <\/strong>could seem ever more significant if the rain arrives, and the French-bred Midak, <\/strong>unbeaten in three, is also likely to appreciate 12 furlongs on an easy surface, while Stanhope Gardens <\/strong>has taken an unconventional route to Epsom but if Ralph Beckett thinks he deserves to be in the field, he probably does. The Dante form won by Beckett\u2019s Pride Of Arras, <\/strong>with Damysus, Nightwalker <\/strong>and The Lion In Winter <\/strong>in behind, strikes me as potentially the strongest on offer though, and while Damysus and Nightwalker both have potential to improve on their York form, that applies equally \u2013 in fact, arguably more so, to the twice-raced PRIDE OF ARRAS.<\/strong><\/p>\n SELECTION: PRIDE OF ARRAS<\/strong><\/p>\n Key form guide (Via YouTube): \u201cAbbey Road\u201d at Epsom. Photograph: Justin Tallis\/AFP\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a> 2.45pm \u201cDASH\u201d HANDICAP preview<\/strong><\/p>\n The \u201cDash\u201d for older, seasoned handicappers comes with pretty much the same comments attached as its predecessor. Desert Cop, <\/strong>unraced since winning a conditions event over five furlongs in Bahrain in March, has what is probably the pick of the draw in stall 19, but he has little form away from a decent surface and The Bell Conductor, <\/strong>in 17, and a former winner of this race, Tees Spirit, <\/strong>next to him in 16, look more likely to make the most of their luck in the draw. TEES SPIRIT <\/strong>is a stone higher in the handicap now than he was when successful three years ago, but Jack Nicholls takes off a useful 7lb and his affinity with the track and trip could make him a very interesting bet at around 16-1.<\/p>\n SELECTION: TEES SPIRIT<\/strong><\/p>\n Fair Wind and Vintage Clarets have been the most backed on Oddschecker today<\/a>, around 20% of stakes each. Vintage Clarets has been the subject of the biggest bet of the week.<\/p>\n No use crying over spilt beer! Photograph: Harry Murphy\/Getty ImagesShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.28 EDT<\/p>\n 2.10pm \u201cDASH\u201d HANDICAP preview<\/strong><\/p>\n The first of two sprints down what is generally reckoned to be the fastest five-furlong course on the planet, downhill all the way until the rise to the line from around a half-furlong out, by which time they have all built up too much momentum to notice. The high stalls towards the stands\u2019 side are very much the place to be if there has been any rain around, as the top of the camber drains more rapidly than the inside, and Ruby\u2019s Profit, <\/strong>who was the likely favourite in any case after a comfortable win at Goodwood \u2013 a similar downhill track \u2013 last time, has the plum draw in 18. She will be tough to beat from there, although Blinky<\/strong>, next door in 17, is a danger, and the super-speedy Against The Wind <\/strong>is another that could take a hand if he makes a quick getaway from six.<\/p>\n SELECTION: RUBY\u2019S PROFIT<\/strong><\/p>\n Ruby\u2019s Profit taken one quarter of all total stakes on Oddschecker this morning<\/a>. Stormy Impact has been backed in from 12s to 8s.<\/p>\n Mary Berry poses for a picture at Epsom. Photograph: Dylan Martinez\/ReutersShare<\/a> 1.35pm DIOMED STAKES preview<\/strong><\/p>\n In some respects, the most interesting runner in this all-aged event is the three-year-old Royal Playwright, <\/strong>who ran ninth, beaten around five lengths, behind Pride Of Arras <\/strong>in the Dante Stakes at York last time. A decent showing from Andrew Balding\u2019s colt would be a boost for the Knavesmire form, but he may have his work cut out to win with DOCKLANDS <\/strong>also in the field. Harry Eustace\u2019s five-year-old is without a win since landing the ultra-competitive Britannia Handicap at Royal Ascot two summers ago, but he has been racing in Group One company for the most part and acquitting himself well. He was, admittedly, a beaten favourite when dropping to Listed company for his seasonal debut at Ascot, but was only half a length behind John Gosden\u2019s Sardinian Warrior, a four-year-old who looks to be on a fast-track to the top. Persica <\/strong>also drops in grade after finishing 12 lengths last in the Group One Lockinge last time, while Ice Max, <\/strong>ninth on soft ground in last season\u2019s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day at Ascot, is worth a second look, especially if the going eases.<\/p>\n SELECTION: DOCKLANDS<\/strong><\/p>\n Over one-third of all bets at Oddschecker<\/a> have been on Docklands. Royal Playwright has gone from 8-1 to 9-2 this morning with the biggest bet today in the race placed on him.<\/p>\n Shadow Foreign Secretary Priti Patel has arrived at Epsom. Photograph: Dylan Martinez\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.17 EDT<\/p>\n 1pm PRINCESS ELIZABETH STAKES preview<\/strong><\/p>\n Royal Dress, Bermuda Longtail <\/strong>and Sparks Fly <\/strong>have all been attracting money this morning, probably because all have soft-ground experience. Royal Dress boasts first-time up wins in each of the last two seasons, one on soft ground and the other on heavy, while Sparks Fly <\/strong>won two Listed events on heavy ground last autumn. This is a very open contest to kick off the card, though, and Skellet <\/strong>\u2013 top of the Timeform ratings \u2013 and SIRONA, <\/strong>a winner on soft at Newmarket last September, also come into the reckoning. Ryan Moore was aboard Sirona for that win, he is back in her saddle today and she was not far behind a very useful opponent in Crimson Advocate at Goodwood on her seasonal debut, so odds of around 7-1 could prove to be generous.<\/p>\n SELECTION: SIRONA<\/strong><\/p>\n Bermuda Longtail (11-2 to 9-2 ) has been the best-backed on Oddschecker today<\/a>, with 20% of stakes wagered. The biggest bet taken for the race has also been for Bermuda Longtail.<\/p>\n Trainer Francis Henri Graffard arrives Epsom. Photograph: Dylan Martinez\/ReutersShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a007.17 EDT<\/p>\n If you want to follow where the money is going here are the market movers courtesy of Oddschecker:<\/p>\n 1.35pm Royal Playwright<\/strong> 8-1 to 9-2 The bookies at the track are clearly not busy yet. Photograph: George Tewkesbury\/ShutterstockShare<\/a><\/p>\n If you\u2019re having a flutter in the other races today at Epsom please note these horses won\u2019t be turning up. This is your current list of non-runners:<\/p>\n 1.35pm Betfred Diomed Stakes 2.10pm Betfred \u201cDash\u201d Handicap 4.15pm Northern Dancer Handicap He\u2019s not sure but she\u2019s taking no chances. Photograph: Adam Davy\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.56 EDT<\/p>\n There\u2019s been a lot of talk (some of it from yours truly) about whether jockeys will take their runners in the Derby to the nearside as they tend to do when the ground is soft at Epsom. That will be such a temptation if there is significant rain by the time the Derby gets underway. Derby historian Michael Church says it\u2019s not happened since 1919 and Derby-winning jockey-turned-pundit Martin Dwyer told the Racing Post: \u201cThe Derby is a special race and it\u2019s a big gamble to take if you\u2019re going to do that. I\u2019d be very doubtful \u2026. the main reason is they take the rail away [to its innermost line] and it\u2019s always fresh ground. Once they take the rail in the fresh ground cancels out the slight advantage of coming up the hill to race on quicker ground.\u201d<\/p>\n Clerk of the course Andrew Cooper did tell ITV Racing this morning that the going currently is virtually even across the track with the middle being slightly faster so there is definitely no advantage as it stands.<\/p>\n A racegoer shelters from a rain shower ahead of the Derby at Epsom. Photograph: John Walton\/PAShare<\/a><\/p>\n Updated at\u00a006.50 EDT<\/p>\n The big question everyone is asking is if, and when, it\u2019s going to start raining at Epsom. Our correspondent Greg Wood is there and walking the track and his social media pic<\/a> is of a brooding sky \u2026 watch this space.<\/p>\n![\"Greg](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/1749301151_504_Greg_Wood,_L.png\")
Greg Wood<\/p>\n
2 Ice Max<\/strong> (C Lee) 10-1
3 Docklands<\/strong> (R Kingscote) 3-1
8 ran
Non Runner: 4<\/p>\nGreg Wood<\/p>\n
2 Bright Thunder<\/strong> (C Lee) 14-1
3 Sparks Fly<\/strong> (Laura Pearson) 11-1
11 ran<\/p>\nGreg Wood<\/p>\nGreg Wood<\/p>\n
Dante Stakes, York,<\/a> <\/strong>1m 2f 56yd (Pride Of Arras, Damysus, Nightwalker, The Lion In Winter).
Derby Trial Stakes,<\/a> Leopardstown, <\/strong>1m 2f (Delacroix).
2,000 Guineas,<\/a> Newmarket, <\/strong>1m (Ruling Court, Tornado Alert).
Chester Vase,<\/a> Chester, <\/strong>1m 4f 63yd (Lambourn, Lazy Griff).
Prix Greffulhe,<\/a> Saint-Cloud, <\/strong>1m 2f 97yd (Midak).
Conditions Stakes,<\/a> Salisbury, <\/strong>1m. (Stanhope Gardens).
Autumn Stakes,<\/a> Newmarket, <\/strong>1m. (Delacroix, Stanhope Gardens)<\/p>\nGreg Wood<\/p>\nGreg Wood<\/p>\nGreg Wood<\/p>\nGreg Wood<\/p>\n
3.30pm Lambourn<\/strong> 12-1 to 7-1
5.40pm Strike Red<\/strong> 9-1 to 5-1<\/p>\n
<\/strong>4 Cairo<\/p>\n
<\/strong>12 Cressida Wildes (Going)
16 Cape Sovereign (IRE) (Going)<\/p>\n
<\/strong>8 Sam Hawkens (IRE) (Self Certificate, Abscess)
16 Galactic Charm (Going)<\/p>\n