Epsom Downs - Friday, June 1st

Horse races taking place at Epsom Downs on Firday, watch on BBC 2.

Epsom Downs - Friday, June 1st There are total of 7 horse races on Friday at Epsom Downs. The U.K. online betting website Bet365 (opens new window) guarantees the best odds on each race.

First race starts at 1:40 - Princess Elizabeth Stakes, Group 3, Fillies & Mares (Cl1)
Race Overview: Echelon has the all important course and distance form and can win this race for the second year. Bahia Breeze and Nannina make up the shortlist. Sir Michael Stoute's horses are now running very well and having scored with four of his last eight runners, he can improve that record even further. Echelon returned to the racecourse this year with a gritty display when holding on to victory at Newmarket. She is a straightforward mare and with Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle, she can once again successfully give weight away to the whole field. Nannina makes her seasonal reappearance here and last-year's Coronation Stakes winner must go on anyone's shortlist. However, the soft ground alone may be enough to take her on (poor effort only other time on it) and it is her first crack at this unique course. Harvest Queen romped to victory at Goodwood last time out and steps up into Group company for the first time. Again though, whilst she has plenty of potential, soft ground is not ideal. Bahia Breeze handles these conditions and may well be suited by the track. She is consistent and should go close. At a price, the unexposed Sabah could go well back from a lengthy break, however Echelon is the class act and gets the confident vote.

2:10 Vodafone Mile, Handicap (Cl2)
Race Overview: Rio Riva was very disappointing at Ripon last time out with everything in his favour and so is now passed over in favour of Montpelier ahead of Plum Pudding. The selection scored readily when last seen on the all-weather and although back on a higher mark now back on turf, he can win again. He could easily be better than this mark of 87. His maiden win came on ground with some give in and it appears as if this mile trip is his best. Uhoomagoo won this race in 2004 but will hate this ground whilst Future's Dream is better on the all-weather. Plum Pudding bounced back with a win at Newmarket last time out but he tends to save his best runs for that straight course. Given the sharp nature of the track, a low draw is normally favoured . Had he had a better draw, Rain Stops Play, a front-runner could have been of interest. Waterside has winning course form so cannot be ruled out despite not being in the best of form of late, although his seventh last time out at York wasn't a bad effort really. A very competitive handicap, in which we will side with Montpelier as the selection.
Favorite to win: Rio Riva with betting odds of 7.00

2:45 Vodafone Rose Bowl, Heritage Handicap (Cl2)
Race Overview: Tabadul has the tactical pace to lay up near the leaders if ridden to do so and from there he could be hard to beat. However the ground is against him and so Resonate gets the vote ahead of John Terry and Stotsfold. Tabadul won well on the all-weather when last seen and although he continues to edge up the weights (up another 4lbs today), he still looks progressive. However he has a big weight and the ground could be too soft for him today. The selection, Resonate, has been aimed at this race for some time and most importantly handles the ground. A winner over course and distance, he has gone well fresh before and can score today, especially if they go a good clip as he actually stays further than this ten furlongs. John Terry is relatively unexposed and should find at least one race this year although he seems to go best first time out. Stotsfold has top-weight and was only narrowly beaten on his reappearance at Chester. The ground is a worry though. Forroger is one who will love the wet conditions and can be forgiven his last run and so cannot be ruled out. Lake Poet was a good winner last month but at the risk of sounding like a stuck record, the ground is a worry. The selection, Resonate has no such worries, and gets the nomination.
Favorite to win: Stotsfold with betting odds of 3.75

Last race is at 5:25 - Vodafone Group Services, Handicap (Cl2)
Race Overview: An open finale in which many have claims however Vitznau gets the tentative nomination ahead of Captain Jacksparra and Little White Lie. The selection gets weight from the whole field here and having found one too good on his last two starts, Richard Hannon's colt will be looking to buck that trend. Martin Dwyer is riding consistently well as he always seems to do and with winning form on ground with cut in, he looks worth siding with again today. Captain Jacksparra is a placepotter's dream, however he is yet to win on the turf and doesn't look well handicapped now. Little White Lie would be an obvious threat if reproducing his run when an easy winner last time out. The softer the better for him and he can go close despite carrying top weight. Cheap Street steps up a furlong in trip but if he gets the extra distance then he must be a real threat having won on soft before. Watch the market for further clues, however Vitznau has a nice weight and gets the vote.

You can bet on these and other horse races at Bet365 online.

Published on 05/31/2007