Epsom Betting Tips for Friday 31st May on ITV Racing

2:00 Epsom

The 2:00 is the Woodcote Stakes for the 2 year-olds over the 6f trip.

The horse I like in this is TEEJ A (11/2). His debut effort at Nottingham was full of promise over 5f where he stayed on strongly from off the pace to finish a never nearer second. He then stepped up to 6f at the Chester May Meeting and won impressively there showing a decent turn of foot and looked to improve for the experience of that run first time out and the step up to 6f. Epsom should suit him well and he may just have more tactical speed than some of his main market rivals. That could prove significant on a track like Epsom.

 

2:35 Epsom

Next up we have the 2:35 with us a competitive handicap over a mile and a half furlong. 

The one for me here in DANCING MAGIC (15/2) EW. The Roger Teal charge was last seen finishing second behind the well backed Percy’s Lad at Chester. That was over 7f but he has form over the mile and I don’t see this trip being a problem. He will sit handy which is no bad thing round here and raised just a 1lb for that effort last time out, I am expecting another bold bid in what looks an open contest. Rossa Ryan takes the ride and in my opinion, he is the most underrated jockey on the circuit.

 

3:10 Epsom

The 3:10 is the first Group 1, the Coronation Cup over 1m4f.

It is LUXEMBOURG (7/2) NAP I like here. He is very hot and cold but he’s a top quality performer on a going day and has Group 1 winning form. I imagine he’s going to be the only pace angle in this and he’s well suited to going from the front and that’s often when he puts his high level performances in. Ryan Moore is a master in this scenario and I imagine he will try and stack them up before kicking on as they turn into the home straight. If he gets an easy time in front as I’d suspect, I think they’ll struggle to get past them.

 

3:45 Epsom

The 3:45 race is another tricky handicap, this time over 1m2f.

It’s DERRY LAD (6/1) EW for me here. He was a serious eye-catcher at Naas last time out coming from way off the pace to finish a close third. He gets in this race off the same mark of 82 which looks more than fair. He was in great form at this time last year winning both starts across May and June at Haydock and then at Pontefract. He should be at peak fitness now with two runs under his belt already this season and this step up in trip looks the right move. Hayley Turner is a jockey I like on hold-up performers and she takes the ride.

 

4:30 Epsom

The feature race ends proceedings on ITV, the Group 1 Betfred Oaks. It is a 1m4f contest for the 3 year-old fillies.

I’ve landed on FOREST FAIRY (15/2) NB here. Ralph Beckett is a master trainer with his fillies and I think he can land another Oaks here. Forest Fairy has had two career starts and won both of them. An impressive winner at Wolves on debut bolting up by 6 lengths, she stepped up to win an Oaks trial at Chester last time out. She didn’t get the clearest of runs there at a crucial stage but she showed a good turn of foot and a willing attitude to get up close to home. That effort can be marked up and again, I think she’ll come on significant for that. That race has often proved a good trial for this too. Stall 4 looks a nice box and Rossa Ryan takes the ride. I’m sure he would have had the pick of the Beckett horses and it’s encouraging he’s landed on Forest Fairy. 

 

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