Betfred Derby Preview & Odds

Stephen Welch / 9:59 PM GMT • 31st May, 2024

3 minutes

Here at betting.bet we’ll cast our eye over some of the horses in contention to win the Betfred Derby, offering insights, form and betting tips as well as the latest horse racing odds and free bet offers

One of the most prestigious races in British horse racing takes place on Saturday as Epsom Racecourse stages the Betfred Derby. The fourth of the five Classics, this year’s renewal of the famous Group 1 race looks wide-open. Here at betting.bet we’ll cast our eye over some of the horses in contention to win the Betfred Derby, offering insights, form and betting tips as well as the latest horse racing betting odds and free bet offers from race sponsors, Betfred.

Betfred Derby History & Race Overview

The Betfred Derby was established back in 1780 and is Britain’s richest flat horse race. Contested over 1m4f and open to horses aged three years, the Derby is often labelled the ‘Blue Riband’ of the turf. Trainer Aidan O’Brien has won the race on a record nine occasions, including last year’s winner Auguste Rodin. Lester Piggott has ridden nine Derby winners which is also a record.

This year’s race features 16 confirmed entries including three for Aidan O’Brien. Jockey, Ryan Moore won on Auguste Rodin for O’Brien last year and this year they team up on race favourite, City Of Troy.

Can City Of Troy Bounce Back?

City Of Troy was the standout juvenile last year but flopped in the 2000 Guineas earlier this month. He remains the bookies’ favourite as supporters keep faith in a horse compared to Frankel before that Newmarket disaster. However his hopes have been dashed further having been drawn in stall 1. Adeyar in 2021 is the only horse to win the Derby from stall 1 since the turn of the century.

Major Players

City Of Troy’s stablemate, Los Angeles is 3/3 and looks like 1m4f could suit. Won the Group 3 Derby Trial at Leopardstown less than three weeks ago as well as the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud as a two-year-old.

Trainer William Buick and jockey Charlie Appleby won the 2000 Guineas with Notable Speech and will team up for the Derby with Ancient Wisdom. Won 4/5 as a two-year-old, most notably the Group 1 Futurity Trophy but looked one-paced when second in the Dante a fortnight ago. Looks like he needs the extra two furlongs and will be right in the mix on Saturday. Any rain will certainly enhance his chances.

Ambiente Friendly is the only entry with past success over 1m4f having landed the Lingfield Derby Trial earlier this month. Third behind Ancient Wisdom in the Autumn Stakes last October and will certainly favour better ground.

Oisin Murphy is in excellent form at the moment and landed Friday’s Surrey Stakes on board 10/1 shot Evade. Murphy rides Bellum Justum for trainer Andrew Balding in the Derby and he is the only entry in the field of 16 with a previous win at Epsom on his record having. Bellum Justum won the Blue Riband Trial over 1m2f last month and also finished ahead of Sandy Lane winner Inisherin in a Maiden as a two-year-old last September. Should enjoy the step up in trip and has place claims at least from a useful draw.

Betfred Derby Odds