Megan Nicholls Racing Preview – Epsom Derby Day Tips

Derby day at Epsom is the focus for BetMGM ambassador Megan Nicholls as she brings her expert knowledge of the horse racing world exclusively to our blog.

The former jockey turned award-winning television pundit explores the key races on Saturday, including the Lester Piggott Handicap, Princess Elizabeth Stakes and 3YO Dash.

Megan then turns her attention to the feature race of the day, where she pinpoints an intriguing 22/1 each-way shout running in one of the world’s great Flat races: the Derby.

Saturday Racing Tips

Epsom 1.25 – Lester Piggott Handicap

I was a big fan of Persica (3/1 fav) at Newbury in the London Gold Cup.

So much so, in fact, that I put him up at a nice each-way price that day. He’s obviously much shorter for this one, having stayed the 10 furlongs well.

I very much like his chances to go well again. I think he’s got improvement and is still effectively unexposed at the distance albeit he has got to prove he can handle the track.

One horse that has proved that is Portsmouth (10/3), who will surely go well again. He won the Nifty 50 Handicap at Epsom previously and only went down fairly narrowly in the Heros Charity Handicap at Goodwood last time.

Despite that, I’m still going with Persica here

Elsewhere, Prepschool (11/1) can outrun his odds at a big each-way price if it keeps raining and the ground is on the slow side, which looks pretty likely. I think this horse needs cut in the ground. It was too quick for him at Newbury to be effective.

Megan’s Selection: Persica WIN

Epsom 2.00 – Princess Elizabeth Stakes

I am going to go with Breege (6/1) here for the Quinns and Jason Hart.

She’s really tough, doesn’t mind slow ground and this is her optimum trip. One or two fillies are stepping down in distance and there are risks attached there.

But Breege, we know, is very effective at the mile. She’s got really solid form throughout her two and three-year-old career.

I thought it was a really nice comeback in the Conqueror Fillies’ Stakes at Goodwood in early May. She was only beaten by a head and probably locked up at a crucial time in that race. That run should set her up really nicely for the Princess Elizabeth.

If you want a bigger price, Chic Colombine (13/2) is one to keep an eye on. If the ground keeps slowing up, she can outrun her odds.

Very good at two miles, Chic Colombine ran in the French Guineas last time from a shocking draw and had to be dropped in off a very slow pace. That race was over before it started when the draw came out.

For this one, though, Breege is the winner.

Megan’s Selection: Breege WIN

Epsom 2.35 – Diomed Stakes

I am going Highland Avenue (3/1 fav) here.

He was just behind Regal Reality (4/1) at Epsom last year but I just think Highland Avenue will prefer the slower ground.

He’s had a bit of a break having run over in Dubai. He probably didn’t fire to quite how the team had hoped but he was running at the very top level.

He’s also effective on the slow ground, which won’t be in favour of one or two others.

Megan’s Selection: Highland Avenue WIN

Epsom 3.10 – 3YO Dash Handicap

Due For Luck (9/2 fav) certainly is that.

He is well drawn in stall 19 and you can forgive what happened in last year's Dash when the stalls did not open.

He was not far behind his rival in this one Knicks (8/1) at Chester in early May. He was a little bit slow away but flew home that day; if he can jump better and on terms here then he’s got a massive chance.

Once he hits rising ground, Due For Luck will really start to motor. I think this horse is still an improving sprinter. He will be ridden with cover and, provided he gets the luck, He could be the one to fly home best.

Each way I am going with Sturlasson (10/1) with Kieran P Cotter bringing him over with Oisin Murphy on board.

He ran in some decent races last year and in some pretty hot maidens. He got off the mark last time in impressive style and there could be more to come from him.

Megan’s Selection: Due For Luck WIN; Sturlasosn EW

Epsom 3.45 – The Main Dash

It’s Democracy Dilemma (13/2) for this one.

I was torn between the two Robert Cowell horses but Clarendon House (11/2) had a big rise in the weights from York last time and top weight will be tricky to defy here.

Because of that rise he is effectively keeping the weights down for his stablemate Democracy Dilemma, who didn’t do an awful lot wrong when second in the Jewel of Asia Handicap at Windsor last time.

He is drawn well enough, has plenty of tactical speed and was just headed on the line at Windsor.

Democracy Dilemma is also pretty versatile in terms of ground and has gone fairly well at Epsom before — he wasn’t beaten all that far in the 3YO Dash last year and has improved plenty since then.

As an each-way price, I will go for the Ian Williams-trained Night On Earth(12/1).

He has a few pounds off his back with Morgan Cole in the plate. He’s another who has a high draw and has been running well recently in behind Democracy Dilemma.

Night On Earth can outrun his odds. He won a Class 3 Handicap at Epsom back in April so he’s my each-way pick here.

Megan’s Selection: Democracy Dilemma WIN; Night On Earth EW

Epsom 4.30 – The Derby

This is a frustrating one for me.

The ground being on the slow side will help Ancient Wisdom (5/1), who has done very well on bad ground. He’s obviously a winner on heavy in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster at the back end of the year.

He had an OK comeback when second in the Dante behind Economics but maybe the ground was too quick for him. It looks as if he’s been better when he’s had slower ground.

Ambiente Friendly (6/1) I felt had a massive chance but unfortunately I do believe in karma and what happened with jockeying Callum Shepherd off and the drama with that… I just think that will take over here. I believe these things will never work out and I’m not convinced Ambiente Friendly will win now.

He’s got a chance but he’s not the most straightforward horse. Robert Havlin only knows him at home and not on the track and I think that is a negative. Ancient Wisdom has beaten him before as well.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see some massive-priced horses go close here, this is a massively open Derby.

At a big price, with cheekpieces on for the first time, is Deira Mile (22/1).

He’s got loads of ability, he is just quirky. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him outrun his odds and I have no doubt about stamina; he looks a million dollars and galloped well at Epsom not long ago.

Megan’s Selection: Ancient Wisdom WIN; Deira Mile EW

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation