2008 Epsom Derby Betting Preview -06-05-08

June 5 - Undoubtedly one of the biggest horse racing events in the United Kingdom, the famous Epsom Derby is attended each year by thousands of racing fans, well-dressed VIPS, celebrities and even members of the Royal Family, not too mention some of the best race horses and jockeys around.

The 2008 Vodafone Epsom Derby (Group 1) will take place this Saturday near Epsom in Surrey County south of London, and will be contended by 17 3-year-old thoroughbreds over a distance of a mile and a half. It is worth a staggering 1,250,000 pounds in prize money for the lucky winner.

Entrants include Alan Devonshire, a Mark Tompkins-trained horse, which while a handsome horse, may only appeal to 1980's football fans however. Alessandro Volta is a horse from the stable of top-rated trainer, Aidan O'Brien, and may have to step it up a notch for a shot to win this race.

Bashkirov was bred to be a real contender, with an excellent bloodline. However, he still has not won a race. Bouguereau, could be worth keeping an eye on as he hails from the stable of Peter Chapple-Hyam. However, most serious pundits may no doubt give him a wide berth.

Bronze Cannon is our boy. Here are Racehorseowner.com, our money is on Bronze Cannon. He has been running very well of late and, interesting to note, celebrated a victory over supplementary entry, Doctor Fremantle, by a head in April this year at handicap at Newmarket. Definitely put a bet on.

Casual Conquest became the ante-post favorite for the Epsom Derby before he was even officially entered in the race. Says a lot about the horse that experienced an impressive win at Leopardstown recently in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial. Perhaps wise to put a bet on.

The ex-Irish-trained Curtain Call might just find the right stage for a win at the Epsom Derby. He ran extremely well at Nottingham in April, convincingly beating two of his rivals and also last week at Epsom, giving the pundits something to think about. Keep an eye on him.

Doctor Fremantle is another supplementary entry who was added to the line up after winning the Chester Vase. Looks to be in fine form although there are doubts as to how well he will stand up to stronger competition. Another O'Brien entry is Frozen Fire, who has had a decent outing or two, but is unlikely to cross the line first on Saturday.

Kandahar Run is expected to run well at the Epsom Downs, not least because he has been nurtured by Epsom Derby four time winning trainer, Henry Cecil, and celebrated a convincing victory at Newmarket not too long ago. Definitely worth a bet.

King of Rome may have the name, but may certainly be suffering from delusions of grandeur if he, or his connections, are banking on a win at Epsom. 'Out of his depth' is how many punters and handicappers have described him. Same applies to Maidstone Mixture, a French horse not in the best of forms. Ooh la la.

New Approach was recently beaten into second place by Henrythenavigator in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas. Undoubtedly a talented runner, he may struggle though on Epsom's fast ground and run out of steam in the latter stages of the race.

Rio De La Plata may be in with a shot this year, as he fast and ran very well in the French 2000 Guineas. The only question is whether he has the stamina to stay the distance. Best to keep an eye on him.

River Proud is another strong entry but his stamina has also been questioned. He did, however, manage to finish third in the French 2000 Guineas with an impressive run. As for Tajaaweed, he may just have what it takes to smoke the field and take the 2008 Epsom Derby. This race will be a big test for the large colt.

Tartan Bearer won the York Dante Stakes in fine form, a race that has yielded three of the last four Derby winners. He looks to be in top form and may well come out tops by the end of this race. Definitely worth a bet.

And finally we have Washington Irving, yet another O'Brien entry, may look imposing but has still yet to win a race from three starts. May be nothing more than horse 'eye candy'. Of course this is horse racing where anything can happen.

Our selection for the Epsom Derby is BRONZE CANNON, who should be excellent Each-way value!