LiveScore Racing Preview: Epsom, June 5, 2021

Saturday's card at Epsom (2pm-5.50pm; seven races) is of course headlined by the Cazoo Derby at 4.30pm but there's some cracking races on the undercard too.

Here's our five to follow for Derby Day on the famous Epsom Downs.

2pm - World Pool At The tote Handicap (1m2f)

Champion jockey Oisin Murphy can get the afternoon off to a flyer aboard PATIENT DREAM for in-form trainer Ralph Beckett. The gelded son of Al Kazeem was a winner over shorter here in April on his seasonal comeback in a race that has thrown up a host of subsequent winners. 

That form looks solid and the way he finished off this race suggests this mile-and-a-quarter trip will suit.

His course form just edges the verdict over King Frankel for Mark Johnston. He chased home an improving sort in Bay Bridge in the London Gold Cup at Newbury three weeks ago and has scope for more.

LiveScore Selection: Patient Dream

2.35pm - Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Fillies' and Mares' Group 3, 1m½f)

Maamora, Posted and Illykato all need to be considered, but STATEMENT is put forward on the strength of her Newbury second to Alcohol Free in the Fred Darling in April over 7f.

That was a cracking effort and she can be forgiven for a lesser one since in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket as she probably did too much on the front end in the early part of the race.

These are calmer waters and Martyn Meade's Lawman filly may well show that Newbury run to be the pick of the form on the table here.

LiveScore Selection: Statement

3.10pm - Cazoo Diomed Stakes (Group 3, 1m½f)

Connections of Century Dream will have high hopes of winning this Diomed Stakes for the third time in four years (last year's run at Newbury) and there's no doubting his comeback in the Group 1 Lockinge was a big ask. Expect to see a more competitive run now.

He might find it tough to give away plenty weight to MAXIMAL, the only three-year-old in the field and a son of Galileo bidding to give Sir Michael a record fourth win in this contest. His runner-up finishes at Newbury and Chester this season have been franked and dropping back to a mile shouldn't be a concern with Ryan Moore back in the plate.

Bluegrass Prince in 1996 was the last three-year-old to win this contest (the fifth in six years at that time) - Maximal can end the wait.

LiveScore Selection: Maximal

3.45pm - World Pool 'Dash' Handicap (Heritage Handicap, 5f)

The Epsom Dash is one of the great traditions of Derby Day, but also a huge puzzle for punters. 2019 winner Ornate is rated 1lb lower now and could have a major say but a sporting chance is taken with likely outsider SON AND SANNIE for trainer Paul Midgley.

He looked quite promising when swatting aside his rivals at Naas over a similar trip in this month last year, before joining this trainer. It's not strictly gone to plan (an all-weather win aside) but he moved with lots of purpose at Doncaster last time in a five-runner field and it may be that he does better amongst the hustle and bustle of this contest, where he can tank into the race amongst rivals before pouncing late on.

LiveScore Selection: Son And Sannie

4.30pm - Cazoo Derby (Group 1, 1m4f)

Dante winner Hurricane Lane is the only unbeaten colt in this year's Derby line-up and the Godolphin inmate should put up stern resistance for Charlie Appleby alongside William Haggas' impressive Newmarket Listed winner Mohaafeth as he rises in class.

Both may struggle to contain BOLSHOI BALLET if last month's Leopardstown Trial win is as good as it looked. He powered clear that day, should be suited by this new trip and it's ominous that trainer Aidan O'Brien has adopted a lone-gun approach to this race for the first time in many years.

LiveScore Selection: Bolshoi Ballet