TEMPLEGATE has struck early this week with a look at the weekend’s action.
The Epsom Oaks on Friday and Derby on Saturday will take centre stage.
But there is plenty of value to be found in the handicaps too, with some big fields offering up some decent extra place value.
Here, in the latest instalment of his weekly column, he reveals a few of the runners he really fancies.
GRACE ANGEL HAS WINGS
If one Dash wasn’t enough on Derby day, we now have two to get stuck into thanks to the new three-year-old version.
I fancy a couple of darts at big prices for the new race at 2.45.
GRACE ANGEL was impressive at Redcar last time when zipping in over this trip.
She may be under-rated coming from a win in the north but the time was excellent and she can go close again.
Her current price of 12-1 looks fair enough.
You might struggle to get the standout 20-1 about DEMOCRACY DILEMMA but there is plenty of 14s about and that still looks a decent price.
He went too hard too quick at Chester in deep mud last time but his front-running style will be ideal for Epsom.
BETS: GRACE ANGEL 12-1 and DEMOCRACY DILEMMA 14-1 in the 2.45 Epsom Saturday
TORITO CAN WIN THE LESTER PIGGOTT
TORITO looks a potential big improver for the Gosdens making his handicap debut in the new Lester Piggott Handicap at Epsom on Saturday.
This son of Kingman won a mile maiden at Nottingham but improved in defeat over this distance at Sandown 18 days ago.
His opening handicap mark of 95 looks fair and he has the potential to improve massively.
At a huge price, CITE D’OR is worth a look each-way given she was a close-up third in a Listed contest here last month.
She didn’t get going in the Cheshire Oaks last time and is another making her handicap debut.
BET: TORITO at 7-1, 3.55 Epsom Saturday. Small each-way on CITE D’OR 25-1
LOOKING WELL FOR THE DERBY
I see no reason to move away from SPREWELL for Saturday’s Derby having tipped him up after his impressive Leopardstown Derby Trial success.
The Jessica Harrington team have said more than once that he’s the best middle-distance horse they have ever trained.
My concern was the ground as he’s only ever run in soft conditions.
But British racecourses seem to have made a secret pact to water their tracks into oblivion this summer and, whatever the official going report says, it’s likely to have some give in it come Saturday afternoon.
There is still 11-1 available in most places and you may even get four places with a few firms if a big field turns up.
BET: SPREWELL for the Derby at 11-1