ITV Racing Tips: Each-way plays, a German raider and the Derby winner

The ITV Racing cameras are locked on Epsom for this Saturday’s broadcast, with the first five contests on the eight-race Derby day card given the main channel terrestrial TV treatment.

We’ll have runners in each and every televised heat with three each-way plays, a German raider for a trainer who’s had previous success at the track and a horse that could end up far shorter in the big race.

Bet on the latest horse racing odds at Betzone

Returning Chic handicapped to atone for near miss a year on

The second and third from last year’s Princess Elizabeth Stakes (1.35) are back for more in the shape of CHIC COLOMBINE and Royal Dress. The booking of William Buick may have played a part in the latter being among the favourites but the former looks far better value.

Both met trouble in running 12 months ago, but while Royal Dress is now rated 5lbs higher, Chic Colombine is 6lbs lower and the application of first-time cheek pieces adds to the sense that this will have been the plan ever since she crossed the line a year ago.

German raider can score at scene of trainer’s Group 1 triumph

When Germany-based Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Peter Schiergen plots an overseas jaunt it’s often worth paying attention and GEOGRAPHY has plenty going for him in the Diomed Stakes (1.35).

Schiergen landed the 2002 Coronation Cup with Boreal at Epsom so we can be fairly sure his four-year-old will be well suited to the track’s challenging undulations – a sense underlined by his last two victories both having come at another undulating circuit, Dusseldorf.

Sparkle could shine given big wait pull with strong favourite

Ruby’s Choice is likely to go off a relatively short favourite for the 3YO ‘Dash’ Handicap (2.10), but Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole’s filly has gone up 6lbs for her recent Goodwood victory.

NAANA’S SPARKLE was one-and-three-quarter lengths back in third that day getting 4lbs, but re-opposes in receipt of a much bigger 11lbs pull in the weights and could go close on these revised terms.

Trainer’s Dash record hints 40-race losing run could end

It’s been seven runnings of the Epsom Dash (2.45) since one of the fastest 5f sprints anywhere on turf went the way of horses aged seven or older, but EXISTENT could well be primed to rectify that for Stuart Williams, a trainer with two Dash winners and two places from 19 runners over the last 20 years.

The Kingman gelding last scored a whopping 41 starts ago but comes into this off the back of four consecutive seconds, the most pertinent of which came over course and distance in April. Repeatedly denied a clear run 2f out, he could be better than that effort granted smoother passage.

Ballydoyle solid option a fine price in well-subscribed Derby

This year’s Derby (3.30) looks a great renewal thanks to a bumper 19-runner field left in at the 48-hour declarations, including 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court, Pride Of Arras who won the Dante on just his second start and DELACROIX, the Ryan-Moore-anointed first-string for trainer Aidan O’Brien.

Of that leading trio, the first-named has yet to prove he handles more than a mile for all he’s by Justify out of 2002 Derby winner High Chaparral, while the latter is inexperienced for a race of this nature at this track. Only Workforce (2010), Anthony Van Dyck (2019), and Desert Crown (2022) have won the Derby on their third career start in recent history.

Preference is for Delacroix, who has looked to stay further in scoring twice over 1m2f this season. The first of those two Leopardstown wins has the kind of substance to it that adds to confidence in his chances. The runner-up Lambourn went out and won the Chester Vase over 1m4f on his next start.

More Betzone news here.