Epsom Derby Festival Betting: 3 Tips For The Oaks And The Derby

Godolphin enjoyed a memorable Guineas double with Ruling Court and Desert Flower and things could be about to get even better for the boys in blue at Epsom this week.

On a historic weekend at the start of May, those two Newmarket Classics were claimed alongside Kentucky Derby and Oaks triumphs for Sheikh Mohammed's powerful operation.

The same two horses head to the Surrey Downs in search of more glory with plenty of interest for both on the best betting sites.

No jockey has ever won the first four British Classics in the same season but William Buick has exuded a calm confidence in the build-up, casually reporting: "Both horses are really well.

"Immediately after Newmarket they recovered well and everyone has been very happy with them, it’s been quite smooth."

The Panel's Epsom Oaks And Derby Tips:

The Panel Selection 1: Friday 16:00 - Desert Flower - 1pt Win

The Panel Selection 2: Saturday 15:30 Epsom - Ruling Court - 1pt Win

The Panel Selection 3: Saturday 15:30 Epsom - Midak - 0.5pts Each-Way

Friday 16:00 Epsom: The Oaks - Desert Flower - 1pt Win

Just nine will go to post in Friday's Oaks and we're not going to overthink things here, as Desert Flower is simply the stand-out contender on all known evidence.

She capped off a cracking juvenile campaign by demolishing her rivals in the Group One Fillies' Mile, making all and pulling clear to score by five-and-a-half lengths.

Desert Flower again did it the hard way when claiming a fifth straight triumph in the 1000 Guineas and, although Aidan O'Brien sends over a trio of promising trial winners, it is Charlie Appleby and Buick who look to be holding all the aces.

It is very tempting to bump up her odds a little bit by including Betfred Coronation Cup hotpot Calandagan in a Friday double.

Francis-Henri Graffard's French ace was a wide-margin scorer at Royal Ascot last term and then chased home City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International at York prior to being collared late on in the Champion Stakes after a troubled passage.

He has the scope to become a superstar this season.

Saturday 15:30 Epsom: The Derby - Ruling Court - 1pt Win

Ruling Court will face a big field in Saturday's Derby, which reflects the open nature of this year's renewal on horse racing betting sites, but he has all the qualities required to navigate that - and Epsom's unique undulations.

Many felt he was a touch fortunate to prevail in the 2000 Guineas, where he admittedly got first run on Field Of Gold and fended off that rival's late challenge by half a length.

However, the fact that Buick felt able to kick for home two furlongs out highlights his confidence in Ruling Court's stamina, as well as the colt's natural balance to handle Newmarket's tricky dip.

Field Of Gold certainly finished fast, but the winner definitely wasn't stopping either and the manner in which he ran strongly through the line is most encouraging in terms of seeing out an extra half a mile here.

There is also plenty of stamina in his pedigree, being by Justify, the sire of last year's Derby hero City Of Troy, out of a daughter of 2002 blue riband winner High Chaparral.

And whether or not you think Field Of Gold should really have come out on top at Newmarket, his emphatic subsequent success in the Irish Guineas gave Ruling Court's form a massive boost.

Appleby's charge has a high cruising speed, which should allow him to lie handy enough off even a strong pace, and his turn of foot can again come to the fore in the closing stages.

Saturday 15:30 Epsom: The Derby - Midak - 0.5pts Each-Way

For those seeking a value alternative to the leading contenders on betting apps, Midak appeals to both the heart and the head after being supplemented at a cost of £75,000.

The French raider carries the colours of the late Aga Khan IV, who this year's Derby is being run in honour of, and he is unbeaten following three starts.

How the strength of his form equates to this level is open to question, but the most recent triumph was a visually impressive Prix Greffulhe victory at Saint-Cloud, a race won by Pour Moi prior to his 2011 Derby strike for France.

Mickael Barzalona produced a famously exuberant celebration whilst crossing the line at Epsom that day and will be in the saddle on Midak.