Epsom tips: Benvenuto Cellini backed for Derby glory | Racing News

With the big Epsom Classic upon us, the Weekend Winners team return to analyse the best betting angles for Derby day.

A field of 14 runners has assembled for the colts’ Classic, which goes off at 4pm on Saturday afternoon.

Having impressed in the Chester Vase last time out, Benvenuto Cellini heads the market for Aidan O’Brien, with Item and Ballydoyle stablemate Pierre Bonnard also attracting support.

James J Braddock represents the Joseph O’Brien and Kevin Blake connection from stall 13, whilst Maltese Cross and Bay Of Brilliance are also contenders for the British team.

Declan Rix…

“I see this race playing out very similar to the Derby that City Of Troy won [in 2024]. Ballydoyle have got four horses in here and for me Benvenuto Cellini and Pierre Bonnard are both guaranteed stayers over this trip – they’re both class acts. I know striding data suggests Pierre Bonnard might struggle a little bit given Epsom is such a stern examination of stamina over twelve, but he’s a half-brother to Crepe Suzette – whose career best came over an extended fourteen furlongs.

“I can see Action and Christmas Day both going forward, putting lots of pace into this race. I think it will set up beautifully for Benvenuto Cellini. The biggest thing people are going to hold against him is ground, but it won’t be as soft as what he encountered in the Futurity Stakes last year. That race was run at a solid tempo and he handled the ground perfectly fine that day and I think he’s guaranteed to stay. There’s loads of Frankel in him – he’s a big galloping horse. You could easily see him going on to the Leger later in the season.

“Mentally, he is rock solid and when he won at Chester – he looked like he didn’t even have a race. He came in like a lamb after putting the race to bed very quickly. Last year there were five or six horses who absolutely melted ahead of the Derby – it could be the same tomorrow but this guy won’t be one of them.”

KateTracey…

“I’m with Benvenuto Cellini as well. I did an ante-post video for the Flat season back in October for my Guineas and Derby hopefuls. Both of the Guineas horses have won and my third horse was Benvenuto Cellini to win the Derby.

“I loved what he did last time out on that sole three-year-old start in the Chester Vase under a penalty, back on a sound surface. The ground is a concern for me but because he’s a big, scopey and long-striding horse – he just have been taking the time to come to himself. I love the fact that he’s the one who got the verdict to go to Epsom and although the weather has inconvenienced him, I don’t think it’s to the same extent as some of the others.

Sam Boswell…

“Benvenuto Cellini is a bit short, isn’t he? I’m not sold on him despite him being visually impressive at Chester, given I’m not sure what he beat that day.

“Maltese Cross is going to be the angle I’m playing each-way here. I really like this horse, but for his debut when he was beaten by a head on soft ground at Ascot, he would have been unbeaten. I don’t know whether it’s because William Haggas doesn’t have many runners in this type of race that I’m upgrading that? I can’t see him not being involved at the finish.

“He’ll do his best work late and his draw in one didn’t stop City Of Troy or Adayar.”

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