TV TIPS (SATURDAY) - DERBY DAY

One of the biggest days in the racing calendar is upon us with all eyes on Epsom for its historic 'Derby Day'. Who will come out on top in one of the biggest classics of the season? The Racing Daily team has previewed all the live ITV action, including the big race, right here. 13.00 EPSOM

A tricky-looking contest, with not much to separate these fillies and mares as the betting may suggest.

Thankfully, it looks like most of these will handle some cut in the ground if the forecast rain arrives, notably Sparks Fly.

She has been a revelation for connections, winning off an original mark of 59, and now a regular in black type races.

Bright Thunder is a strong traveler with some decent form to her name, but there is a slight doubt as to whether she sees out a strongly run mile.

Skellet is the most interesting. She showed plenty of ability when thrust into the highest level, not beaten far in the Coronation Stakes and the Irish Guineas.

She got her due rewards, beating a field of older horses at Sandown when her sights were lowered slightly.

It’s interesting they’ve kept her in training, and that could mean there’s improvement forthcoming.

SKELLET (WIN)

(Matt Polley)

13:35 EPSOM

Docklands and Persica are very close in the betting market at the time of writing. Some might say Docklands without the retired Hayley Turner might be seen as a positive. However, a lot of his best form is at Ascot, which is a very different track to Epsom.

Persica is the only course and distance winner in the race here. With Ryan Moore onboard, he is obviously a strong contender at a track he clearly likes.

However, it might be worth looking for a bit more value in the price somewhere else. Ice Max interests me as he's only been seen once this season, which may have just been a bit of a run out for a bigger target. Karl Burke can get a horse cherry ripe with a target in mind if this is it.

Getting a little weight from some opponents here, going unpunished for a previous group win. Which will help his cause.

At a near double-figure price certainly has an each-way punt to Ice Max. In terms of value, I think he's worth a shot.

ICE MAX (E/W)

(Luke Tucker)

14:10 EPSOM

Just like the Derby later in the day the three-year-olds take centre stage in their own version of the 'Epsom Dash'.

The obvious choice is Ruby's Profit who's been a model of consistency throughout their career to date and has beaten a handful of today's rivals in the process. However as the likely favourite and with 18 runners set to go to post, from a punting perspective, value hunting should be the order of the day.

There looks to be a duo worth siding with and with them being drawn on either side of the course we can at least ensure one gets a decent run if we're hit with any major draw bias.

The first of the two ran the aforementioned Ruby's Profit close last time out when just half a length back in second at Goodwood. Mademoiselle renews their rivalry and is 3lbs better off in the weights this time around. She should come on for her seasonal reappearance and could reverse the form with the likely favourite.

The other runner worth taking a chance on is the Kevin Ryan trained Cape Sovereign. He might still have his maiden tag after seven starts to date but his three runs this term have all been eye-catching, especially his 4th of 22 at York last month. Kevin Ryan is a master with sprinting types and his charge is capable of making the frame once again.

MADEMOISELLE (E/W)

CAPE SOVEREIGN

(Rory Paddock)

14:45 EPSOM

A typically-competitive Epsom Dash that features some seasoned sprinters. The ultra-consistent Jm Jungle has been knocking on the door this season and requires consideration following back-to-back placings in decent handicaps at York, but he may have to play second fiddle to Jer Batt. The David and Nicola Barron-trained five-year-old has run well on both occasions this year, finishing third behind the progressive subsequent winner American Affair on his return at Musselburgh before an eye-catching fifth at Chester, where he was posted wide throughout prior to keeping on well in the closing stages. The booking of Oisin Murphy has to be a major plus and off an unchanged mark of 92, he may well get back to winning ways. George Baker's Desert Cop also needs considering from an each-way angle.

JER BATT (WIN)

(Sam King)

15:30 EPSOM

A very long time ago I wrote an essay for the Young Persons Writing Award on the folly of backing 2000 Guineas winners in the Derby and not much has happened in the intervening years to dissuade me, Ruling Court may be an exception but the speed he shows and the juice in the ground means I have to swerve again!

Delacroix has stamina in the pedigree and a very likeable attitude in the finish and will be tough to pass, but both he and the fancied Pride Of Arras have less than ideal draws to contend with. The latter impressed in the Dante, bursting away from a bunched field that maybe wasn’t the greatest but still created an impression on only his second start. Lambourn looks a solid early each-way bet with those paying out on four places.

PRIDE OF ARRAS (WIN)

LAMBOURN (E/W)

(Alan Morris)