S.P.Read Esq: Epsom Derby

Our daily columnist and pundit S.P. Read Esq. looks ahead to the racing on Saturday and the EPSOM DERBY and finds the best opportunities available on Star Spreads, the home of sports spread betting.

Double Derby Day and if it all goes wrong on the Epsom Downs at 4.30pm – just 10 miles away it’s the Greyhound Derby Final at Wimbledon Stadium (possibly, but hopefully not, for the final time at the track).

I got Minding wrong yesterday – incredible the way she overcame trouble in running which looked race ending at the time.

It’s a hugely open Derby this year with no standout contender. That doesn’t mean that it will necessarily produce a below average winner.

Aidan O’Brien seems the obvious place to start given his record in the race. He won three in a row before John Gosden ended the monopoly with Golden Horn last year.

Many were quick to crab O’Brien’s US Army Ranger after his narrow win in the Chester Vase from stable companion Port Douglas. I think the negativity was over-cooked. US Army Ranger had a huge reputation and plenty to live up to – but it was still only his second ever start and he is a relative baby. The pair pulled seven lengths clear of the third and by most mortal standards that would have been considered an excellent run.

O’Brien and Ryan Moore cannot be over-looked and I will have a bet on the Ranger to cover a couple more speculative options.

I like Harzand but he was subject to a late check after dislodging a shoe (confirmed he DOES run).

I will play a couple of bigger price alternatives.

If you fancy US Army Ranger – you have to say that Port Douglas has to be massive value at around 16/1. He’s had plenty more experience and isn’t as ‘sexy’ as his stable companion but purely on the form book has to have place chances.

David Simcock’s Algometer is also of interest at around 25/1. His stamina is guaranteed after he stayed on well to win the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood over 1m 3f.

In the Greyhound Derby Final tonight I’ll be cheering on the blue box of Cloran Paddy. Ben Keith from Star Sports has been charting his progress for a LONG TIME and what a story it would be if he can win the biggest prize of all. He does things the hard way and takes a while to wind up but as long as he can negotiate a path through he could easily be involved in the finish.

Blue for the Blue Riband !!!!

CLICK FOR EPSOM DERBY ON STAR SPREADS

RECOMMENDED BETS (scale 1-100 points)

BUY US ARMY RANGER for 30 points on the 50/30/20/10/5 index at 16 with Star Spreads
BUY PORT DOUGLAS for 10 points on the 50/30/20/10/5 index at 7 with Star Spreads
BUY ALGOMETER for 20 points on the 50/30/20/10/5 index at 6 with Star Spreads

BETS RECORD FROM FEBRUARY
2 Feb -275.00 (SELL 1st WEST HAM MATCH GOAL 25 points at 47)
3 Feb +116.25 (SELL CHELSEA SUPREMACY 75 points at 0.55)
6 Feb -100.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 25 points at 44)
7 Feb -735.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 35 points at 51)
8 Feb -1260.00 (BUY 1st MATCH GOAL 35 points at 41)
9 Feb +245.00 (SELL 1st WEST HAM MATCH GOAL 35 points at 52)
9 Feb -455.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 77)
10 Feb -490.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 76)
13 Feb -1295.00 (SELL 1st MATCH GOAL 35 points at 40)
14 Feb +315.00 (BUY 1st MATCH GOAL 35 points at 36)
15 Feb -350.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 80)
16 Feb +175.00 (SELL 1st PSG MATCH GOAL 25 points at 46)
17 Feb -1050.00 (SELL 1st ROMA MATCH GOAL 30 points at 55)
18 Feb +0.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 50 points at 77)
19 Feb -150.00 (SELL 1st EVERTON MATCH GOAL 25 points at 49)
19 Feb -750.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 50 points at 75)
20 Feb +275.00 (SELL 1st CHELSEA MATCH GOAL 25 points at 46)
20 Feb +1400.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 50 points at 76)
21 Feb +0.00 (SELL 1st MAN U MATCH GOAL 45 points at 37)
21 Feb +840.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 70 points at 73)
23 Feb -1270.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 70 points at 72)
25 Feb +210.00 (SELL 1st MAN U MATCH GOAL 70 points at 32)
27 Feb -1500.00 (BUY 1st MATCH GOAL 50 points at 42)
28 Feb +1200.00 (BUY 3rd MATCH GOAL 80 points at 75)
28 Feb -68.00 (BUY TOTAL MATCH GOALS 80 points at 2.85)
29 Feb +4000.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 80 points at 78)
3 Mar NO BET
4 Mar -108.00 (BUY CORNERS 40 points at 10.7)
5 Mar +570.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 30 points at 56)
6 Mar -1200 (SELL 1st MAN U MATCH GOAL 30 points at 50)
8 Mar +90.00 (SELL 1st ARSENAL MATCH GOAL 30 points at 44)
9 Mar -240.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 30 points at 68)
10 Mar +150.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 30 points at 55)
12 Mar -470.00 (BUY CORNERS 100 points at 11.7)
13 Mar -320.00 (SELL 1st WEST HAM MATCH GOAL 40 points at 60)
15 Mar +840.00 (assorted Cheltenham Festival trades)
16 Mar -65.00 (assorted Cheltenham Festival trades)
17 Mar +148.00 (assorted Cheltenham Festival trades)
18 Mar -250.00 (assorted Cheltenham Festival trades)
19 Mar -420.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 78)
20 Mar +446.25 (BUY CORNERS 85 points at 10.75)
24 Mar -35.00 (BUY NORTHERN IRELAND 35 points at 11)
26 Mar +175.00 (BUY CORNERS 100 points at 10.25)
29 Mar +0.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 25 points at 77)
30 Mar -450.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 25 points at 38)
2 Apr -840.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 35 points at 44)
3 Apr -37.50 (BUY CORNERS 75 points at 10.5)
5 Apr +2805.00 (BUY BOOKINGS TWO MATCHES)
6 Apr +720.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 45 points at 75)
7 Apr +1665.00 (BUY AINTREE DISTANCES 45 points at 37)
8 Apr -775.25 (BUY AINTREE DISTANCES 35 points at 38)
9 Apr -310.00 (ASSORTED GRAND NATIONAL TRADES)
10 Apr +455.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 35 points at 47)
11 Apr +525.00 (SELL 2nd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 65)
12 Apr -455.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 64)
13 Apr -625.00 (BUY WEST HAM WIN INDEX 50 points at 12.5)
14 Apr +1320.00 (SELL TIME OF 1st DORTMUND GOAL 30 points at 49)
16 Apr -120.00 (SELL TIME OF 1st MATCH GOAL 30 points at 37)
17 Apr -570.00 (SELL TIME OF 1st MATCH GOAL 30 points at 71)
18 Apr +120.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 30 points at 75)
19 Apr -540.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 30 points at 72)
21 Apr -900.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 50 points at 72)
23 Apr +650.00 (SELL 1st MAN U GOAL 50 points at 47)
24 Apr +100.00 (SELL 1st WATFORD GOAL 50 points at 57)
25 Apr +0.00 (SELL 1st SPURS GOAL 50 points at 33)
26 Apr -760.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 40 points at 49)
27 Apr +0.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 50 points at 50)
28 Apr -990.00 (SELL 1st LIVERPOOL GOAL 30 points at 57)
30 Apr -1260.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 60 points at 69)
1 May +2700.00 (SELL 2nd MATCH GOAL 60 points at 62)
2 May +3700.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 50 points at 46)
3 May +105.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 77)
4 May -630.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 72)
5 May +455.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 35 points at 52)
7 May -35.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 35 points at 46)
8 May -700.00 (BUY 1st MATCH GOAL 25 points at 36)
10 May +220.00 (BUY MATCH GOALS 100 points at 2.8)
11 May -700.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 25 points at 38)
16 May +1225.00 (BUY BOOKINGS 35 points at 45)
17 May -490.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 73)
18 May +350.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 35 points at 74)
21 May -540.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 45 points at 78)
22 May -315.00 (SELL 3rd MATCH GOAL 45 points at 76)
28 May -1160.00 (BUY 1st MATCH GOAL 40 points at 44)
30 May +1480.00 (BUY 1st MATCH GOAL 40 points at 41)
2 Jun +1290.00 (BUY 1st MATCH GOAL 30 points at 43)
3 Jun -420.00 (BUY SKIFFLE EPSOM OAKS 30 points at 14)

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.