Sandown - Saturday 13th June

We are on the cusp of Royal Ascot but there is a decent card at Sandown today as always and I'll be there looking to get some cash in the bank ready for Berkshire. 

13:32, Download The BetMGM App Handicap

Law Court 11/4, 2pts win

The progressive son of Blue Point built on his seasonal debut at Newbury to run out a ready winner at this track last month. The extra furlong will hold no fears and his relentless galloping style suits the course. I expect him to go close here and continue his climb up the handicap. 

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14:42, BetMGM Scurry Stakes

Military Code 11/4, 2pts win

Charlie Appleby hasn't had a great month so far but he has a stranglehold on this race. Words Of Truth brings in decent form and is the highest rated runner but has the penalty to shoulder and a wide draw so preference is for stablemate Military Code. Already a runner up at Listed level over course and distance last year the son of Wootton Bassett finished his season by running a cracker at York in August. His fitness must be taken on trust but he's drawn well in stall 4 and the conditions of the day should suit him best.

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15:17, Read Meg Nicholls' Blog At betmgm.co.uk Handicap

Raammee 3/1, 2pts win

Roger Varian's stable couldn't be in better form and it could get better here as his unexposed 3 year old Raamee goes in search of a first win as a 3 year old. Impressive last year, he was backed on seasonal debut over this track last month but faded in the last furlong or so. It was a good run considering he was free and the hood goes on today. He's drawn well today and should come on for that run and get his season under way here. 

Epsom - Saturday 6th June

I will be making my way up to Surrey soon for what looks to be a wet and miserable Derby day. The ground is likely to soften appreciably but it's a cracking card and hopefully we get a good winner of the World's greatest horse race. 

14:05, Princess Elizabeth Stakes

Shes Perfect 4/1, 1.5pts each-way (3 places)

Charlie Fellowe's 4 year old filly was unjustly disqualified from the French 1000 Guineas last year and hasn't been allowed the chance to gain revenge on the track since. She ran a creditable race on comeback at Goodwood last month behind a top notch rival and is fancied to get on the scoresheet here. She acts on any ground and has the class edge on the field. 

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15:15, Betfred 'Dash' Handicap

Lexington Blitz 13/2, 2pts win
Eclairage 9/1, 2pts win

The dash is often a bit of a lottery but it pays to side with horses with plenty of early boot. Lexington Blitz was 2nd in the 3YO version of this last year and looks a better horse this time around after his demolition job at Goodwood last month. He has a big chance here for shrewd connections whilst Eclairage was just touched off in Ireland last time out and is still unexposed now facing Epsom for the first time. She's drawn well in 14 and the jockey booking of Billy Loughnane catches the eye. 

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16:00, The Derby

Pierre Bonard 8/1, 2pts win
Maltese Cross 11/1, 2pts win

Constitution River's shadow lingers over this race but it's still the Derby and we have a cracking field with the winners of most of the major trials here. Benvenuto Cellini has been all the rage in recent weeks but the prospect of soft ground dampens enthusiasm whilst Item must too have a question to answer about give in the surface along with the trip. James J Braddock downed Pierre Bonard last time out in a trial but had the jump on the Camelot colt a bit that day and this race will be run completely different. Christophe Soumillon's mount looked the most likely Derby winner in the Autumn but hasn't really hit the right notes in two starts to date but that could all change here. This step up in trip back on an easier surface is exactly what he wants and it's expected the big strapping colt will be fully fit now. At slightly bigger odds it could be that William Haggas's Maltese Cross has been overlooked. He bids to emulate Anthony Van Dyke by winning the Lingfield Derby Trial on the way to Epsom glory and it's knuckling down quality with could serve him well in what looks set to be a brutal running of the Blue Ribband. He's stamina laden and progressing at the right speed. He nearly won on soft ground on debut and although by Sea The Stars the dam side suggests soft ground will be no problem at all.