The Neighsayers-Saturday’s With Swanny

Swanny has provided me with his thoughts on these 3 races on one of the best days racing of the calendar year. Good luck all.

13.30 - Betfred Epsom Derby

Not the most fascinating renewal of the classic but that doesn’t shy away from the event its self. I cannot for the life of me see how Auguste Rodin has been put back into fav on the back of his Newmarket blow out. As much as a master is uncle Aidy, I can’t see him turning this horse round in these circumstances. They seem to be going through a bit of a rough patch, but my main selection would be Military Order. He’s shown enough in each of his runs to warrant his strong place in the market, and I would probably make him fav. He’s shown raw ability in his 2 runs this season, disposing Exoplanet in his novice, a horse given a “stinker” in the London cup, and showing his stamina and pace in the derby trial at Lingfield. His draw is perfect for him to sit prominent behind the leaders before taking it up 2 out and being sent for home and not for catching. 

 I will also be playing the Jessica Harrington trained Sprewell EW. Although yet to race on quicker than soft ground, he showed he had bags of potential at this trip and beyond in his last outing, winning the Leopardstown derby trial in style. I’ll be keeping an eye on how much the watering plays apart in Fridays racing in view to this, but I think the draw will suit Sprewell with how he has gone through his races and can see him being bang in the picture tomorrow. If you’re feeling ‘ballsy’ have a play on the Reverse Forecast too. 

Selection - Military Order 9/2

                  Military Order / Sprewell reverse forecast

15.20 - Aston Martin ‘Dash’ Handicap

An absolute cracker of a race year in year out. If you love speeds demons, large fields, and hard luck stories. This is the one for you. You probably know what I’m following off a cliff here. Vintage Clarets of course. To say I wasn’t disappointed is Ripon showing is an understatement, but it probably shows he’s not the most consistent sort in training. High draws are usually the place to be here and he sits in stall 19. He seemed to hang a little when asked at ripon so I’m hoping he can bag the rail nice and early and this helps him into the race. I still think there’s a big pot in him and I’m hoping it’s tomorrow. It’s as open as ever so I will advise a small play EW, but I can see him being there in the frame tomorrow, and maybe take some of the extra places that’ll be on offer. 

Selection - Vintage Clarets E/W 15/2

Musselburgh 

15.05 - Edinburgh Gin Queen of Scots Fillies’ Stakes 

Away from Epsom and over the wall for this one, Hannon sends one up to this listed event in the shape of Heredia, the gamble of last years royal meeting. She showed she still retains her ability on reappearance, going down to highly regarded Azure Blue by 1/2 length at Newmarket, who subsequently won the Duke of York Clipper stakes at York. That form is solid and the best on offer here. Sean Levey also travels up which is a positive, and I think they’ve found a very good listed race to get her back to winning ways. Saaeed’s horse blew up at Lingfield, and I’m not sure Joseph knows who to do with Basil Martini, who returns from 5f back up to a mile. Fast Repsonse showed ability at bath on reappearance but seems to want more cut in the ground. The Jolly takes the beating for me.

Selection - Heredia 10/11