Talking points ahead of the Epsom Derby

The Epsom Derby is taking place at Epsoms Downs Racecourse on Saturday. The race has been going for over 250 years and was won by Charlie Appleby-trained Adayar. This year's renewal of the Derby and Oaks co-aligns with the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations. It will be the first time since 2019 that the race will have a full crowd due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Desert Crown is the favourite for the Epsom Derby. The horse won the Dante Stakes at York. Sir Michael Stoute is confident of another success in Surrey. He believes Desert Crown doesn't need to improve too much to win the Derby, as he did at the York Stake.

Stone Age is the best chance of trainer Aiden O'Brien's horses to win the Epsom Derby. O’Brien‘s fate hangs in the balance as Luxembourg”s withdrawal has meant O's horse is outside of the favourites. Stone Age has a dependable jockey Ryan Moore in his saddle.

Godolphin have dominated the races this season. Appleby believes that the best chance of success lies outside of Dayar and with Nations Pride. The three-year-old won the Newmarket Stakes earlier this year. He will work on Wednesday and the decision on supplementing him on Monday. Sheik Mohammed will pay the £75k entry fee.