Investec Derby Festival: Saturday’s tips for Epsom
David Metcalf | June 3, 2016
Poet’s Word poised for Moore success
Poet’s Word can take advantage of what looks a lenient mark to land the 1m 2f handicap that opens proceedings on Investec Derby day at Epsom (14.00).
The Sir Michael Stoute trained colt shaped with plenty of promsie in his first two starts before opening his account in good style at Nottingham last month.
After travelling sweetly on the heels of the leaders, Poet’s Word was produced by jockey Ryan Moore to take up the running a furlong from home and only had to be driven out to draw clear and beat Muntahaa by 2 1/4 lengths.
It was a most taking performance which suggested the three-year-old needed keeping onside, and the form of the race has worked out extremely well.
Yard have excellent record in race
The runner-up has come out and won since, and the third home Shraaoh, who was beaten just under four lengths, scored next time up at Newcastle by six lengths to be rated 91.
Indulged, who finished fourth, has also gone on to taste success, and it makes an opening handicap mark of 87 for Poet’s Word looks very lenient.
The son of Poet’s Voice also remains unexposed and open to stacks more improvement, has the assistance again of Moore in the saddle, and hails from a yard that have a terrific record in the race having won it three times since 2006.
Sayana looks a cut-above in Princess Elizabeth
In the Princess Elizabeth Stakes (14.35), Sayana can take the step up into Group 3 company in her stride to land the spoils for France.
The Andre Fabre trained filly has won all three starts since being narrowly beaten on debut in 2014, including both outings this season.
In the last of those in a Listed contest at Chantilly, the beautifully bred daughter of Galileo made all and asserted when challenged a furlong from home to score a shade cosily by a length.
It was a display which suggested Sayana was a very smart sort and well worth a crack at this level.
This year’s renewal of the race also doesn’t look the strongest, and Sayana should have plenty more improvement left in the locker after just four starts and looks potentially a cut-above her rivals.
Selections:
14.00: Poet’s Word (NAP)
14.35: Sayana
15.10: Simple Verse
15.45: Caspian Prince (E/W)
16.30: Cloth Of Stars (NB)
17.15: Ladurelli
17.50: Blaine
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