Epsom Derby and Oaks 2021 racecard, tips, runners, odds and TV schedule

Epsom's big Flat meeting is back this week with the Cazoo Oaks and Derby.

The Classic races, on Friday and Saturday respectively, showcase the best horses of their generation.

The Derby, now sponsored by the UK’s leading online car retailer, is worth £1.125million.

An extra £65,000 has been added to prize money at the meeting, amid a £3 million boost from Jockey Club racecourses for the rest of 2021.

The funds come as racegoers return to tracks – and 4,000 will be permitted to watch the action live on each day at Epsom.

JCR's prize money levels are around 91 per cent of those offered before the pandemic.

Chief Executive Nevin Truesdale said: "The financial impact of coronavirus has been very significant indeed and it will take some time yet to recover.

"However, with some positive indicators around funding and with spectators starting to return, albeit in heavily restricted numbers at this point, we wanted to move quickly to announce this prize money increase."

Derby and Oaks guide

Cazoo Derby, June 5

Runners and odds

6-4 Bolshoi Ballet

7-1 High Definition

7-1 Mac Swiney

9-1 John Leeper

10-1 Mohaafeth

11-1 Hurricane Lane

14-1 Third Realm

25-1 Van Gogh

33-1 One Ruler, Youth Spirit, Sir Lamorak

40-1 Southern Lights

50-1 Adayar, Lone Eagle

66-1 Gear Up, The Mediterranean

100-1 Kyprios

200-1 Mojo Star

500-1 Seattle Sound

Market movers

Ladbrokes make Bolshoi Ballet a solid 6-4 favourite, but a win for another Aidan O'Brien horse would be their worst result.

"In the Derby, it seems the favourite is doing everything right in the run up to the race but many punters are keeping the faith in High Definition after the Dante,” said spokeswoman Nicola McGeady.

Ed Dunlop is feeling "good pressure" ahead of John Leeper's run, a horse named after his late father.

The winner of his two races this season has been backed from 66-1 to 9-1 in the ante-post book.

Tips

A son of Derby winner Galileo, Bolshoi Ballet followed his lead by winning the Ballysax Stakes and Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes on the way to Epsom.

He has a top chance, as the market suggests, with his style of running likely to suit Epsom's unique contours.

Three out of the last four renewals have been won by longshots however, so don't discount them.

TV schedule

ITV1 will be live from 1.35pm to 5pm on Derby day. The big race is at 4.30pm.

Cazoo Oaks, June 4

Runners and odds *

9-4 Santa Barbara

9-2 Snowfall

7-1 Teona, Zeyaadah

10-1 Divinely

12-1 Saffron Beach

14-1 Dubai Fountain

25-1 Mystery Angel

33-1 Sherbet Lemon, Ocean Road

40-1 Willow

66-1 Save A Forest

100-1 La Joconde, Technique

Market movers

Divinely has attracted support in recent days and is 8-1 with Coral, having been 50-1 at the start of last week.

"Divinely didn't look like a prospective Oaks winner when finishing just fourth in Lingfield's big race trial last month, but some punters certainly believe she will improve considerably for that run, as her Epsom odds have been in freefall in recent days," said the firm's David Stevens.

Mark Johnston's Dubai Fountain was 20-1 before winning the Cheshire Oaks, while 1000 Guineas runner-up Saffron Beach went from 33-1 to around her current price after Newmarket.

TV schedule

Like the Derby, the Oaks is at 4.30pm. The action will be shown live on ITV1 from 1.30pm until 5pm.

Tips

Favourite Santa Barbara posted a pleasing run at Newmarket, but she still looked very inexperienced and there is a question mark over how well she will handle the track.

Although she has ground to make up on Dubai Fountain, Zeyaadah took the eye at Chester, when she was denied a clear run.

More than capable of taking a big step forward, she makes appeal at odds of around 7-1 for a stable with plenty of good horses to rate her against.

* Correct at time of publication

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