Desert Flower headlines our 135-1 Day 1 Epsom Acca Friday sees the first day of the Derby meeting which includes two Group 1’s, the Coronation Cup and the Oaks. Traditionally a good day for punters and we have put together an treble for day one. The picks include an impressive winner from last time out and an eye-catcher in one of the handicaps. Day 1 Epsom Acca Selections 3.15 - Botanical @ 9/2 with bet365 4.00 - Desert Flower @ 7/4 with bet365 5.10 - Alzahir @ 8/1 with bet365 Combined price: 135/1 with bet365 Odds courtesy of Ladbrokes and correct at the time of publishing. See below for the latest up-to-date odds. bet365 Betting Offer If you already have a bet365 account, check out more of the best betting sites and casino bonuses 3.15 Epsom - 1m2f Handicap (Class 2) (4yo+) - Botanical Having been run predominantly in handicaps last season, Botanical was tried in two Listed races to kick off his 2025 campaign, with limited success. His first crack at a Listed race this season was on the opening day of the turf season at Doncaster where he finished a respectable third behind this year’s runner-up in the Lockinge, Dancing Gemini. He ran a solid race but was outpaced in the closing stages, possibly finding the trip slightly on the sharp side. He followed that effort up with a rather disappointing fifth place, this time on the all-weather at Kempton when back up in trip to ten furlongs. He was prominent early on but again got outpaced in the closing stages and finished some way back. However, all is not lost as he retains his ability and has shown he can win races such as these in the past. He will appreciate the rain getting into the ground and should go well now back in handicaps. 4.00 Epsom - 1m4f Oaks (Group 1) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo) - Desert Flower Desert Flower has become the dominant force in the fillies division over the past year and comes into the Oaks unbeaten and looks to be getting better with every race. Her juvenile campaign was capped by an outstanding display in the Fillies Mile at Newmarket back in October winning by five and a half lengths, which is the largest winning margin since the race moved to Newmarket in 2011 showing to everyone that she is the one to beat for the upcoming season. She was then put away for the winter and made her reappearance, again at Newmarket in the 1000 Guineas. She showed no ill signs from having been off for the winter and justified favouritism with another dominant display, making all on her way to a length win. The question that surrounds her is whether she has the stamina for a mile and a half, her dam won races up to nine furlongs but there is nothing else in her breeding to suggest she will be able to manage a mile and a half. However, she shaped in the 1000 Guineas as though she will get the mile and a half and, while there is a slight cause for concern with her over this trip, she is a class act and we may not yet have seen the best of her. 5.10 Epsom - 7f Debenhams Handicap (Class 2) (3yo+ 0-100) - Alzahir Alazhir has had a difficult time recently after starting the season strongly. A winner in his opening two races this campaign, the George Wood trained five-year-old has found things a little bit tougher in recent months. His change in form came with a 7lb rise in the weights after his second win this season in early April. He then struggled at Musselburgh and Newmarket before a very disappointing run last time out at York three weeks ago looking like he got outpaced in the closing stages. However things could be turning around for him as he is now slipping back down the weights and is now only 5lb above his winning mark. The drop back to seven furlongs should be of benefit and could bring about a change in his fortunes.
