HORSE RACING: Live on BBC: Fri 16.05 & Sat 16.00: A big weekend of racing kicks off on Friday with The Oaks, followed on Saturday by The Derby. The 48-hour decs are in for The Derby.
The Derby – Saturday 5th June; Epsom 16.00
Jan Vermeer seems to have settled out between 13/8 (Victor Chandler) and 2/1 (Paddy Power, 888sport) after a weekend of activity saw the colt slump from 6/1. This was followed by the confirmation of the withdrawal of St Nicholas Abbey, which hit the punters with a £2 million loss.
Furthermore, yesterday evening, another O’Brien horse Cape Blanco (the Dante winner) has also been removed. Cape Blanco began to make a shift in from 12/1, Victor Chandler shortening to 7/1. O’Brien has opted to enter Cape Blanco in the French Derby at Chantilly instead.
Workforce is now 2nd fav at 6/1, Bullet Train next at 7/1 with Sportingbet. Boylesports halved Al Zir to 16/1 from 33/1 after Godolphin announced Fallon would ride, though other firms are still holding out higher, 888sport staying at 25/1.
The 48 declarations were passed Thursday morning and the 12 to run (at this moment) are:
Jan Vermeer – 2/1 (Bluesquare)
Workforce – 5/1 (Bet365)
Midas Touch – 6/1 (Totesport)
Bullet Train – 7/1 (Ladbrokes)
Rewilding – 8/1 (William Hill)
Azmeel – 12/1 (Betfred)
Coordinated Cut – 20/1 (Sportingbet)
Al Zir – 25/1 (Victor Chandler)
Ted Spread – 33/1 (Betdaq)
Buzzword – 66/1 (William Hill)
Hot Prospect – 66/1 (Bodog)
At First Sight – 150/1 (888sport)
The Oaks – Friday 4th June; Epsom 16.05
Aviate leads the way at 4/1 (Paddy Power), followed by Rumoush at 5’s (Coral).
Akdarena has made a move from 10’s to 8/1 with Betfred and Barry Hills has been talking up the chances of Champagnelifestyle, prompting Ladbrokes and Blue Square to shift in to 20/1.
Timepiece, 8/1 with Betdaq is attracting a steady stream of money but has disappointed on the racecourse so far in her 3 year old career. In her last race, she had the Lingfield Oaks Trial won a furlong from home, however she hung very badly and lost by a length to Dyna Waltz.
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