TEMPLEGATE takes on day one of the Derby Festival confident of bashing the Epsom bookies.
He’s delivered his full Oaks tip, 1-2-3 prediction and runner-by-runner guide for your viewing pleasure .
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And below he goes through all his picks and big-race verdicts for the epic seven-race card.
ELWATEEN (4.00 Epsom, nap)
She ran a mighty race when beaten just two lengths by Desert Flower in the 1,000 Guineas last time. It was a doubly good effort given it was just her second run and she was coming back from a nine-month break. She still looked pretty green but improved as the race went on and gives the impression she’ll relish this extra half-mile. She definitely looks overpriced.
GIAVELLOTTO (2.40 Epsom, nb)
He clocked a personal best when winning the Hong Kong Vase over this trip at tricky Sha Tin two runs ago. That built nicely on his Yorkshire Cup and Princess Of Wales’s victories last season. Being able to handle Sha Tin makes you think Epsom will be fine and he’s a genuine Group 1 performer over this trip on any ground.
MAXIMISED (2.05 Epsom, treble)
He tanked along when winning on debut at Haydock 15 days ago. He showed good pace over this trip and can improve. He’ll be hard to beat if handling this very different track.
Templegate’s Epsom verdicts
1.30
REBEL’S GAMBLE can be forgiven a blip at Ascot last time when the drop to 6f didn’t suit.
He was an impressive Listed winner on his last try at this trip and Karl Burke is in form.
Diego Ventura battled to score at Longchamp on the back of a good Newmarket comeback. He looks capable of better.
Hallasan was close to Rebel’s Gamble at Ascot and is another who will appreciate moving up to this trip. This slightly slower surface is another plus.
Formal looked rusty in the Fred Darling on debut for Andrew Balding in April and should do a lot better with that under her belt.
2.05
MAXIMIZED tanked along when winning on debut at Haydock 15 days ago.
He showed good pace over this trip and can improve. He’ll be hard to beat if handling this very different track.
Havana Hurricane was an impressive debut winner at undulating Goodwood so should be at home at Epsom.
That was over 5f but he’s bred for a bit further and can figure.
Logi Bear got off the mark on his first crack at this distance at Newmarket three weeks ago. He showed lots of pace and has more to come.
Norman’s Cay has had a break since his Brockelsby win but would be dangerous if building on that along with fellow Hannon runner Raakeb who will appreciate this trip.
2.40
GIAVELLOTTO clocked a personal best when winning the Hong Kong Vase over this trip at tricky Sha Tin two runs ago.
That built nicely on his Yorkshire Cup and Princess Of Wales’s victories last season.
Being able to handle Sha Tin makes you think Epsom will be fine and he’s a genuine Group 1 performer over this trip on any ground.
Calandagan is short with good reason after his close second in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan last time when not getting the breaks.
He’s a Group 2 winner over this trip but he’s looking for his first victory at the highest level.
Jan Breughel won the St Leger last season and didn’t enjoy dropping back to 1m2f for his comeback at The Curragh when only second.
He’ll prefer this trip but things may still happen a bit quick.
You Got To Me cost connections £4.8m despite finishing last in the Leger.
She won the Irish Oaks over this trip and was fourth at Epsom. She may just need this first run in nine months.
3.15
HAVE SECRET caught the eye when running on strongly into second at Ripon last time.
That was over a similar trip and built on a good effort at York.
He likes this trip and a repeat would take him very close.
The booking of Ryan Moore is a plus for Botanical who has been below par in a couple of Listed races this season.
Dropping back into a handicap gives him a place shout.
Mutaawid took a step forward when winning at Newmarket last time.
He was right at home on the rattling fast ground there and will be a threat if handling what are likely to be much slower conditions.
A 10lb rise in the weights makes things a bit tougher too.
Defiance was smart before going wrong at Royal Ascot last year and is worth a market check.
Ashariba ended last season with a battling win at Newmarket. He goes up in class here but looks the type to continue to improve this season.
Akecheta has bits and pieces of form in Ireland and has place claims if taking to this tricky track.
4.00
ELWATEEN ran a mighty race when beaten just two lengths by Desert Flower in the 1,000 Guineas last time.
It was a doubly good effort given it was just her second run and she was coming back from a nine-month break.
She still looked pretty green but improved as the race went on and gives the impression she’ll relish this extra half-mile. She definitely looks overpriced.
Desert Flower sets the standard after her impressive Guineas success.
She has scored on fast and slow ground and there are stayers in the family so there is every chance her stamina will hold at the business end.
Aidan O’Brien fires three darts and, on paper, Ryan Moore’s mount Minnie Hauk has a fair bit to find despite winning the Cheshire Oaks last time.
She is bred to stay and handling Chester usually bodes well for Epsom’s camber.
This is just her fourth run so there’s more to come.
Giselle didn’t have a lot to beat in the Lingfield Trial but she did it nicely and is another who should be fine with the track.
Wayne Lordan rides Whirl who took the Musidora nicely at York.
She should appreciate this longer trip and is another with an each-way shout.
Qilin Queen just got the better of Revoir in a Newbury Listed race 20 days ago.
There won’t be a lot between them again with the latter looking the best prospect over this longer distance.
4.35
TWO TEMPTING won this 12 months ago and tuned up for his defence with an impressive win at Chester last time.
We know this trip and track are ideal and he’ll give it another good go.
Flight Plan looks as good as ever when winning the Thirsk Hunt Cup from the front last time.
Pacepushers can prosper at Epsom too and he’ll be competitive despite his hefty weight.
Mr Baloo ran a good race when third at Newmarket last month. He likes this trip and should be right there again.
Oisin Murphy takes over on Mirsky who got his head in front at Thirsk 20 days ago. He likes this trip and won’t be far away.
Ebt’s Girl is more than capable at this level and was just pipped in a decent contest at Newbury.
5.10
MISS INFORMATION looked a nice prospect when winning at Newmarket over this trip last time.
She showed good pace to leave her rivals behind and goes on any ground.
Andrew Balding’s filly scored here last season so there are no track worries.
Rhoscolyn has won this race twice, including last season. He caught the eye finishing well at Chester on Saturday and will be right there again.
Darkness was value for a bit further than a length when winning at Thirsk last time but wouldn’t want any more rain.
Local Hero is coming down the weights and is best over this distance so can’t be ignored.
Stanage may not have quite seen out the mile at York last time and could get closer back over this distance.
Templegate’s tips
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