Best Bets for Derby Day at Epsom

Saturday afternoon sees the 2025 Classic campaign reach a peak as Epsom Downs stages the latest edition of the Derby. Each of the Classics places specific demands upon the contenders. The 1000 and 2000 Guineas emphasise speed, whilst Doncaster’s St. Leger places a firm emphasis on stamina. The Derby, meanwhile, tests the speed, stamina, balance, and tactical pace of the most regally bred three-year-old colts in the sport. It is with good reason that the 1m4f showstopper is known as the ultimate test of the thoroughbred and a race unparalleled as a stallion maker.

With a whopping £1.5 million up for grabs, the Derby serves as the spectacular centrepiece on the seven-race card from Epsom. However, there is no shortage of appealing betting opportunities among the six supporting events. Here, using data presented by NewBettingSites.uk, we pick out our four best bets for one of the biggest meetings of the British racing year, including in the feature contest.

Saturday: Princess Elizabeth Stakes - Epsom, 1:00 pm

The fillies and mares set the ball rolling on Derby Day in this Group 3 contest over 1m½f. The sole three-year-old in the line-up currently edges the betting in most lists, with the Andrew Balding-trained Bermuda Longtail edging favouritism in a wide-open affair. Making only her fifth career start, she is the runner most open to improvement but will need to step up on her runner-up effort in Listed company last time out.

James Tate’s Royal Dress makes plenty of appeal, having finished an unlucky-in-running third in the 2024 edition of this. However, six of the last eight renewals have fallen to a four-year-old, and we suspect the winner may emerge from that age bracket once again.

The one to be on is Ralph Beckett’s Kingman filly, Skellet. Going in the Juddmonte silks, the mount of Rossa Ryan came up short in the Group 1 duo of the Irish 1000 Guineas and Coronation Stakes but has fared much better since dropped to this sort of level. Losing out by just a head in the Darley Prix Chloe on her final start at three, she returned with an excellent win over the colts in the Listed Fortune Stakes. Back in against her own sex here, she may prove tough to repel in the closing stages.

• Recommended Bet - Skellet to win @ 6/1 with PricedUp

Saturday: Betfred Diomed Stakes – Epsom, 1:35 pm

We stick to the same 1m½f course and distance in race two as the colts and geldings take their shot at a Group 3 prize. Unlike the fillies’ event, which has a wide-open market, the betting appears to have settled on Docklands and Persica as the two most likely winners here.

Hailing from the yard of Harry Eustace, Docklands arrives on the back of a solid second in the Listed Paradise Stakes at Ascot. A repeat of that effort may seem him go close, but he looks short enough for a horse who has yet to score outside of handicap company. Persica makes more appeal with Ryan Moore in the saddle, having claimed the Group 3 Earl Of Sefton Stakes on his only previous start with the Ballydoyle number one in the saddle.

However, the one we like best at a double-figure price is the Andrew Balding runner, Royal Playwright. Despite winning only one of six outings, this Lope De Vega colt has run some fine races in defeat, including when third behind Field Of Gold and second behind Wimbledon Hawkeye. Having blown away the cobwebs with a Listed third at Newcastle, he wasn’t beaten far over an unsuitable trip in the Dante Stakes last time. Dropping slightly in class and distance, he is an appealing price to at least hit the frame.

• Recommended Bet - Royal Playwright each way @ 10/1 with BetGoodwin

Saturday: Betfred 3YO ‘Dash’ Handicap – 2:10pm

Our final selection before the main event comes in this race over one of the fastest 5f tracks in the sport. With 18 runners set to go to post, we favour those who have shown a preference to race prominently as attempting to weave through traffic late can be an unenviable task.

Whilst we have nothing against the market leaders Rubys Profit, Against The Wind, and Mademoiselle, taking a short price about a runner in an event such as this doesn’t set the pulse racing. With five places up for grabs with BetGoodwin, we much prefer an each-way punt.

As a half-brother to Temple Stakes winner Mgheera, the bottom-weight Sandscreendeliverd makes some appeal and can be excused for his disappointing showing last time as he slipped at the start.

However, the one to get the vote is the Michael & David Easterby filly Glorious Kitty. Making only her fourth start here, she looks open to significant improvement on her first outing in a handicap. Only losing out by 1¾l on debut in a Listed event at York, she caught our eye on her seasonal return at Wolverhampton when blazing a trail from the front. Having faded late in that 6f event, this drop back in trip looks like a shrewd move, and she can be expected to improve on what was her first run in 231 days.

• Recommended Bet - Glorious Kitty each way @ 14/1 with BetGoodwin

Saturday: Betfred Derby (In Honour Of His Highness Aga Khan IV) – 3:30 pm

Last but not least, the big one, as a bumper field of 19 lines up for a compelling edition of the Epsom Derby. Following the announcement that Ryan Moore would ride Delacroix, the Leopardstown Derby Trial winner assumed favouritism. However, he now has company at the head of the market following the draw, which saw 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court handed a nice stall in seven.

Whilst we don’t doubt the class of those at the head of the market, each has a significant question to answer. Delacroix is sired by Dubawi, who has never produced a Derby winner, and Ruling Court is far from a certain stayer at this trip.

Lambourn and Damysus would be our choice of those at bigger prices, but we suspect the most talented horse in the field could be The Lion In Winter. Unbeaten as a juvenile, the long-time ante-post market leader fluffed his lines in the Dante on his long-awaited return. However, having witnessed Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy bounce back from much worse efforts to land this prize in recent years, we are more than happy to trust that Aidan O’Brien will have this one in peak condition on the day. By Derby winner Sea The Stars, he looks worth backing to deliver on his rich two-year-old promise

• Recommended Bet - The Lion In Winter to Win @ 15/2 with BetMGM