My 1-2-3 in Saturday's Epsom Derby It is time for the Epsom Derby, and after months of deliberating between pundits, owners, breeders, analysts, and anyone you can speak to, it's time for the great race. The Derby is such an historic race, and the importance it has held in flat racing for so long is extraordinary. It is the ultimate test of a three-year-old colt. How will they handle the preliminaries? Will the trip to post upset them? Once they're off, the intrigue begins as to who gets the best position, how they handle the descent into Tattenham Corner and once into the straight, which contender can stand the test of time and finish past the post to continue their legacy. It looks to be another interesting renewal of the race, and here is my 1-2-3 for the 2026 Epsom Derby which gets underway at 4.00pm on Saturday. First In first place, I believe it will be Benvenuto Cellini. A son of Frankel, he is an imposing type that has the Epsom Derby written all over him. He was an impressive winner of the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes last year before a good third place on bottomless ground in Doncaster, where he was behind Hawk Mountain, who finished an excellent second to Constitution River in the French Derby. He made his reappearance in the Chester Vase, where he was an easy 4.5-length winner that day. His stride data was eye-catching, and it looked as if he has done extremely well from two to three. With natural improvement, I feel he is the class act in this race by a long way. I feel he has the temperament and ability to win this Derby, and I would be confident he could be one of the more impressive winners we have seen in the last few years. It will add another Derby win to Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore. Second My No. 2 in the Epsom Derby is Ancient Egypt. When going to the sales and looking for a Derby type, this guy should be the poster boy for that. A huge, strapping son of Frankel, he has the potential to be a very nice horse for the Amo Racing and Charlie Johnston team. I am a slight creature of habit, and with the likes of Mojo Star and King of Steel in the past, I can see Kia Joorabchian and his team having another special day out at the Derby. I was particularly impressed with his latest run, and I feel that was where we saw the best of him. He is a relentless galloper, and I feel the track experience he gained in a gallop at Epsom will be crucial. He also has the plum draw of 10, which has enjoyed plenty of success in the past. I feel that David Egan will be trying to have him up on the pace, and if he gets into open space, he may be a tough one to peg back. Third My No. 3 for the Epsom Derby has all the elements to be a feel-good story, and that is the one of James J Braddock. A cheap purchase in comparison to his rivals, the son of Zarak has been a model of improvement ever since his debut in Navan last season. He was slightly disappointing in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown, but in typical Joseph O'Brien fashion, the horse took a major step forward for his next start in the Cashel Palace Derby Trial, where he showed great tenacity and the ability to stay. I feel this extended trip will only help him further, and he has all the attributes to run a great race in the Derby. I wouldn't be worried if he hits a flat spot, as he will be the fastest finisher in the field. What a story it would be for part-owner Kevin Blake, who is involved with the racing media and is a race planner to Joseph O'Brien, to win the Epsom Derby. It would be extraordinary. The horse has improved with each run, and I feel with the conditions of the track, he will be right there come the finish.
