Epsom Horse Racing Betting Tips for Saturday 6th June

The biggest race of the Flat season takes place on Saturday as the Derby (4.00) takes centre stage at Epsom and it's a fantastic card which also features the Group 1 Coronation Cup (2.40).

Racing Post tipster Graeme Rodway is back with three selections on Derby day, including a strong fancy in the big race itself.

Saturday's Epsom Horse Racing Betting Tips

15:15 Epsom - Betsen @ 20/1
16:00 Epsom - Maltese Cross @ 10/1
17:55 Epsom - Partisan Hero @ 17/2

15:15 Epsom - Betsen @ 20/1

The 'Dash' Handicap is one of the biggest betting races of the season as 20 runners hurtle down the straight 5f at Epsom and speed is of the essence.

With that in mind it's worth backing Betsen, who bounced back to form when coming from last-to-first to win at Chepstow last time out.

Betsen is evidently well served by a fast-run race at this trip, because he was never stronger than at the finish last time and he should have no issues on that score here.

They always go off quickly in the Dash and, while the selection needs luck in running coming from the back, the race will be run to suit.

The Tony Carroll-trained five-year-old is only 4lb higher than when successful last time and Epsom's downhill track should be ideal. Chepstow is a similar sort of undulating test and he looked good there.

Clifford Lee rode Betsen for the first time when he was successful at the Welsh track and he is back on board, so another big run can surely be expected, provided a low draw in stall five isn't a problem.

16:00 Epsom - Maltese Cross @ 10/1

The Derby is the feature race of the entire campaign, but I'm not convinced this year's event is that strong.

Benvenuto Cellini heads the market, but he doesn't look anything special and stablemate Constitution River rates the best Ballydoyle three-year-old this season. That puts me off the favourite.

Item won what looked a weak edition of the Dante at York and was 11-2, so clearly wasn't thought to be any sort of star going into it, while Pierre Bonnard is the opposite.

He has gone off favourite for both starts this season and must be held in high regard, but he disappointed on each occasion.

Those at the head of the market evidently don't tickle my fancy and the one to back is Maltese Cross, who has won three of his four starts and is saddled by 1996 Derby-winning trainer William Haggas.

Maltese Cross looked good on his reappearance at Newbury in April and improved again when successful in the Lingfield Derby Trial last time.

He won by only a neck from Bay Of Brilliance, but the front two pulled six-and-a-half lengths clear of the remainder and the finishing sectionals were quick.

That suggests Maltese Cross and Bay Of Brilliance are both smart and the selection is probably better than the bare form.

He won by a small margin, but that has become a trait. His last three victories have come by a head, a neck and a neck, so he does only just enough and there is more to come.

Maltese Cross is certain to stay the distance and he acts on any ground, so has an outstanding chance of making the places at double-figure odds. If the market leaders aren’t any good he can win.

17:55 Epsom - Partisan Hero @ 17/2

The 6f handicap is another big-field event where they will rattle down the hill at Epsom and that should suit Partisan Hero, who showed plenty of speed when successful over 5f at York last time out.

The David Loughnane-trained gelding did well to win that day. He was one of only two runners to race close to the stands' side of the course and he hung badly when in the clear inside the final furlong.

He lost ground in doing so, but dug in well to hold on by a head and a 4lb rise in the weights isn't harsh.

That was also Partisan Hero's first success at shorter than 7f and five of his six career victories have come at that trip or a mile.

He should, therefore, be well suited by stepping up a furlong to 6f, especially around a downhill track like this and Robert Havlin who was on board last time is back to ride again.

Loughnane's string has been in good form recently and Stall 14 shouldn't be an issue for Partisan Hero, especially if the rain arrives and the ground is soft. They will come middle-to-stands' side.

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Read more Epsom horse racing news on site.

Tipster's Recent Winners

Graeme Rodway nailed 9/2 winner Glory Hyde for the Racing Post on Wednesday and also advised last year's Derby winner Lambourn for bet365 readers 12 months ago.

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.