Epsom ITV Racing Tips & Preview

EMENEM (Best price 13-2) earned a decent rap for scoring at today’s venue in April and trainer Simon Dow is likely to have had this Class 2 handicap in mind ever since. The ability to handle the camber at Epsom is a precious commodity and the Sir Percy colt may not land a prize as lofty as his father managed, but victory in this keenly-contested event on Derby day would be welcomed at Dow’s local stable. I was impressed by the selection’s attitude last time when landing one or two tidy wagers and a 6lb rise may not be enough to stop him being competitive. Sylvester Kirk is another handler to target the handicaps on Derby day so it would be no surprise to see Mister Blue Sky post a bold show too.

A couple of heavy downpours would dampen confidence in LAUGH ALOUD (Best price 5-4) given John Gosden’s filly bounced off a fast surface to score impressively at Goodwood last time. However, the track was riding pretty quick yesterday so some natural precipitation may take any jar out of the ground, while those that raced close to the place appeared to be advantaged and the selection fills that criteria. The daughter of Dubawi lengthened beautifully when asked to quicken by Jimmy Fortune who was fulsome in his praise once dismounting and she could prove a class above if conditions are suitable.

An eight-year-old in the shape of Tullius pulled off a famous win in this race 12 months ago and another veteran in the shape of SOVEREIGN DEBT (Best price 13-2) could land this prize today. Any showers shouldn’t inconvenience the Ruth Carr’s admirable gelding who has been in terrific form this term and was more than a shade unfortunate in last year’s renewal of this race when meeting trouble in running. He is arguably a better horse this season and is likely to be ridden closer to the pace like he was at Sandown so maybe in pole position when the tempo lifts in the straight.

No lack of pace down the middle of the track here with the likes of former winner Caspian Prince (stall 1), Blithe Spirit (stall 4), A Momentofmadness (stall 5) and El Astronaute (stall 7) all likely to blaze away from their low draws. That brazen speed could help the likes of Desert Law and 2013 winner DUKE OF FIRENZE (Best price 9-1) post bold bids down the middle of the track. The selection won a shade snugly at York last time and has been coaxed back to great form by his talented handler. He may be in the twilight of his career but his performance on the Knavesmire was evidence that there is plenty of life left in those ageing legs and today’s race may set up well for him.

CLIFFS OF MOHER (Best price 9-2) will have learned a lot from his Chester expedition last time and I was left with the impression his trainer only just had him fit enough to run that day. A nineteen-runner Derby around Epsom’s unique undulations and cambers could makes this year’s renewal a rather hair-raising experience, but the son of Galileo boasts the tactical speed to cope with a big field and he may well be a different proposition with that run under his belt. The selection stepped forward enormously for his subdued debut as a juvenile last October, routing stablemate Orderofthegarter by five lengths at Leopardstown a fortnight later to head into the winter as a potential Derby contender. His speed figure at Leopardstown is one of the quickest recorded for a juvenile in recent seasons and the lofty rating led some to question if Cliffs of Moher possessed the required stamina to win a Derby given he appeared to boast so much latent speed. The selection took a while to wind up at Chester which suggests the step up in trip today holds no huge concerns and he looks nicely drawn to try and deliver Aidan O’Brien a sixth winner in the race.

PERMIAN (Best price 11-1) was collared by Cracksman when they met in April but has since improved beyond all recognition with a commanding Listed-race success at Newmarket prior to a game defeat of Benbatl in the Dante at York.  Parachuted into this race at a late stage, the Teofilo colt shapes like a stiffer test of stamina could produce further progression and double-figure quotes about a thriving stayer with a superb will-to-win look a shade generous.

Read Sam Turner's tips in the Daily Mail every day or at www.dailymail.co.uk/racing