A Horse-By-Horse Guide For The Betfred Derby At Epsom Downs

Who will be the one to take the crown from last year's winner Desert Crown?
11:00, 28 May 2023

We are less than a week away from the 2023 Betfred Derby at Epsom Downs and the excitement is building. The Derby Festival is the pinnacle of the flat racing season, with the Derby itself one of the sport’s most iconic races. 

Here is a guide to all the prospective runners looking to follow in the footsteps of last year’s winner, Desert Crown.

Favourite Military Order (3/1) is hoping to become the third Godolphin-owned star to win this famous race, following in the footsteps of Masar in 2018 and Adayar in 2021. 

After posting three consecutive victories at Naas, Leopardstown and Doncaster, Auguste Rodin (4/1) was well beaten at Newmarket earlier this month. Trainer Aiden O’Brien will be keen for a much-improved ride in this spectacle.

Betfred Dante Stakes favourite Passenger (6/1) narrowly missed out at York last time out to The Foxes (10/1), losing by just one-and-a-half lengths. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute will hope to have fine-tuned the three-year-old Passenger to achieve success in the Derby. The Foxes was given a fine ride by Oisin Murphy, and his chances at Derby glory have increased as a result.

Arrest (13/2) recorded an impressive victory at Chester earlier this month, winning the Boodles Chester Vase Stakes. The colt beat Adelaide River (66/1) by six-and-a-half lengths. The outsider, Adelaide River, trained by O’Brien, has either won or placed in his first five career races.

Sprewell (10/1) is heading into the Derby in impressive form, having won successive races at Naas and Leopardstown. Dante Stakes runner-up, White Birch (12/1), was given a strong ride by Shane Foloey in the York showpiece. He was only beaten by The Foxes by a neck, so trainer John Murphy will be fancying his chances.

After finishing five-and-a-quarter lengths behind Chaldean at Newmarket last time out, Dubai Mile (14/1) will be eyeing a much-spirited performance at Epsom Downs. Waipiro (16/1) is chasing a second career victory after triumphing over Derby favourite Military Order in the Fitzdares Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield earlier this month

Betfred Derby markets via Betfred*

San Antonio (25/1) narrowly defeated Alder (33/1) in the Boodles Dee Stakes at Chester last time out. He will be chasing his third career victory in the Derby. Alder will be eager to return to winning ways after winning earlier this year in Cork.

Gooloogong (33/1) prevailed on his second career outing at Navan in March. He will be heading to Epsom hoping to become the ninth Derby winner trained by O’Brien. After winning on his last three appearances, Paddington (40/1) will fancy his chances. But his last two victories were won by narrow margins.

Espionage (40/1) will be hoping to return to winning ways after missing out by a head to Proud And Regal in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud back in October. Artistic Star (40/1) is out to make it three wins from three for trainer Ralph Beckett by taking the crown in the Derby.

Greenland (66/1) was a winner at Saint-Cloud at the beginning of the month but only by a nose. Trainer O’Brien will need a much stronger run towards the end in the Derby if Greenland is to become his ninth winner.

Dear My Friend (80/1) did not give the best impression in the Dante Stakes at York a few weeks ago, and will need to show an increase in stamina over the final furlong. King Of Steel (100/1) has been out of action since October, where he was well beaten by Auguste Rodin at Doncaster. Having recently changed owners from David Loughnane to Roger Varian, the colt could look a little rusty on the track.

Covent Garden (100/1) has only tasted victory once in his five career outings, which came at Tipperary in October. Modesty (100/1) won on his debut at York back in October. He showed much promise but might lack the level of experience to contend for glory in the Derby.

Squire Danagher (200/1) has been beaten by some distance in his first three career races, so it will take some incredible improvement to see him crowned as this year’s Derby winner.

*18+ | BeGambleAware | Odds Subject To Change

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