UK Horse Racing Tips: Epsom

A very competitive renewal of this contest and last year's winner, Bahamian Sunrise, has to be respected despite a disappointing effort on his seasonal return. The seven-year-old was only beaten a neck over C&D in late August and, due to some mixed subsequent efforts, he arrives here 5lb lower in the ratings. That said, the preference is for BOOM THE GROOM, who was third in that race here last summer. He did not get the clearest of runs on that occasion, likewise when an unlucky loser in this race 12 months ago, and he proved his well-being with a win on the all-weather in February. Dark Shot lost his way towards the back end of last season but he can go well fresh and he has run well twice in the Dash over C&D on Derby Day.
Prediction : 1st Boom The Groom 2nd Dark Shot 3rd Bahamian Sunrise

John Gosden has won the last four renewals of this contest, including with Cracksman in 2017, and that means that Turgenev has to be respected. The son of Dubawi was not disgraced in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on his final start as a juvenile but he was disappointing on his seasonal return at Newbury recently. With that in mind, the preference is for ARTHUR KITT, who was last seen finishing fourth in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf in November. Tom Dascombe's colt won the Chesham at Royal Ascot and he may take a step forward this year being a son of Camelot. Cape Of Good Hope finished in front of the selection in the Royal Lodge and is an obvious threat today, although Arthur Kitt did not seem to be at his best on that occasion. One who should not be ignored is Cap Francais, who won two novice events impressively last season and his pedigree suggests that he could improve significantly as a three-year-old.
Prediction : 1st Arthur Kitt 2nd Cape Of Good Hope 3rd Turgenev

Not So Sleepy and Reshoun have strong form claims having finished second and third respectively in the November Handicap last year, but both would prefer softer conditions than they are likely to get today. FIRE FIGHTING, on the other hand, can go on any ground and the veteran has a solid record at this venue, which includes a third-placed finish in this race 12 months ago. He found 1m2f too sharp at Pontefract last time out and it would be no surprise to see him leave that form behind today. Maybe Today beat the selection at Lingfield last time out but she has to prove herself at this track and is 6lb worse off with Fire Fighting for just three-quarters of a length. Others to consider are Eddystone Rock and Soto Sizzler.
Prediction : 1st Fire Fighting 2nd Maybe Today 3rd Soto Sizzler

This race is likely to go to one of the classy four-year-olds at the top of the weights and that could well be CROSSED BATON, who won the Blue Riband Trial on this card 12 months ago. The son of Dansili went on to finish second twice at Group level later in the season and he could be hard to beat having had wind surgery since his last appearance. Mildenberger is an obvious threat given his form with Roaring Lion and that includes his second-placed finish to that rival in the Dante when last seen in May. That form suggests that a mark of 107 may underestimate his ability and he has to be respected. Lucius Tiberius made an encouraging debut for Charlie Appleby in a Group 2 a couple of weeks ago and he arrives here just 1lb higher than when winning a valuable handicap at Leopardstown last summer.
Prediction : 1st Crossed Baton 2nd Mildenberger 3rd Lucius Tiberius

CURRENT OPTION displayed plenty of promise in both starts as a juvenile and that includes a third-placed finish at Newbury last time out, where he was just half a length behind a colt who is now rated 90. The son of Camelot has been keen in both appearances but if he settles today then he will take a lot of beating. Casanova is extremely well bred, being by Frankel and out of a Group 3-winning and Group 1-placed mare, and he was very green on his debut at Wolverhampton. Despite this John Gosden's colt stayed on well to finish fourth on that occasion and he is likely to leave that form a long way behind as he gains more experience. Le Don De Vie is a solid yardstick based on his juvenile form and he is the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Current Option 2nd Casanova 3rd Le Don De Vie

A tricky race to close the card but the marginal preference is for BALLADEER, who returned to winning ways on his seasonal debut at Chelmsford earlier in the month. A 3lb rise in the ratings for that success is fair and Michael Bell's gelding may have more to offer today. Barbarosa should be capable of making his mark this season based on his juvenile form and he may benefit from the application of a hood for the first time. The shortlist is completed by Multamis, Recuerdame and Winter Gleam.
Prediction : 1st Balladeer 2nd Barbarosa 3rd Winter Gleam