Jaysella’s Saturday Selections for 7th June 2025

Jaysella’s Saturday Selections from Epsom

Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies & Mares) 1.00
Royal Dress
Given the particular merits of Epsom racecourse, I do think that track form counts, so I’m going with Royal Dress for Saturday’s opener. James Tate’s Night Of Thunder mare was third in this last year, just a neck behind Chic Colombine, and as that was her first run of this season, I think she’s entitled to come on for that. Karl Burke’s Bright Thunder is also on my shortlist, though she might not want too much cut in the ground, but it’s her first race here which gets her a negative point, so Sirona makes a bit of appeal too for David Menuisier, with no worries over the going and Ryan Moore getting the leg-up. I’m trusting William Buick to get the job done for me on Royal Dress, with Sirona and Bright Thunder to be thereabouts.

Betfred Diomed Stakes (Group 3) 1.35
Persica (nb)
I’m thinking that the Diomed can go to Persica. There’s loads of plus points for Richard Hannon’s New Bay colt; he’s booked Ryan Moore for the trip, and Persica has winning form on this track, which I do think counts for a lot, and this is a lot easier than the Group One Lockinge at Newbury last time we saw him. The draw in Stall 7 looks fine to me, and with a win in this grade already this season, Persica looks a real solid chance. I do think that the ante-post favourite, Docklands, saves his best for Ascot, so he’s got to prove he can do the business here at Epsom, while Royal Playwright was too bad to be true in the Dante at York and is better than that, so completes the list of those I like. Ice Max would benefit from plenty of rain on Saturday, so he’s my outside chance, but I can’t get away from Persica for the win.

Betfred 3YO “Dash” Handicap 2.10
Mademoiselle
Welcome to the fastest five furlong track in Europe, and no wonder it’s known as the Dash! Blink and you’ll miss it! Okay, I’ve decided to plump for George Scott’s Mademoiselle, who to me looks like she’s developing into a nice sprinter. She well outran her odds of 20/1 when just a half-length short of Ruby’s Profit at Goodwood, but now meets her on 3lbs better terms, so in theory that could be more than enough to bridge the gap. Having said that, Ruby’s Spirit gets to run alongside the rail, which can help her, and with Blinky inside that’s where the pace will come from. Alice Haynes’s Naana’s Sparkle was third in that Goodwood sprint, so she should be on the premises, but I’m going to stick my out and go with Mademoiselle to win with a late surge.

Aston Martin “Dash” Handicap (Heritage Handicap) 2.45
Spartan Arrow
I’m hoping that Spartan Arrow can do just what she did here in April over this course and distance to win again. With Hollie Doyle in charge up top, and a draw towards the high end, I’m thinking that Hollie can use that to her advantage, and match strides with John Quinn’s JM Jungle, who’s been raced more prominently this season under Jason Hart. There’s plenty of dangers out there, not least the veteran Clarendon House, who virtually refused to race last year, and Robert Cowell’s Democracy Dilemma, who is expected to rocket out of the stalls once again, but may be on the wrong side of the draw. Hollie Doyle to score on Spartan Arrow, though too much rain would be a worry and steer me to Democracy Dilemma.

Betfred Derby (In Honour Of His Highness Aga Khan IV (Group 1) (No Geldings) 3.30
Delacroix (nap)
You’d be missing some dots on your dice if you didn’t think ten-time winner Aidan O’Brien and the Ballydoyle yard don’t have a say in this year’s Derby, but it’s one hell of race! With the 2,000 Guineas winner, Ruling Court in the mix, along with the Dante winner, Pride Of Arras, plus John & Thady Gosdens’ raw but unexposed Damysus and the progressive Stanhope Gardens, there are plenty that could win. Ruling Court has stamina in the breeding, sired by American Triple Crown winner Justify, though hasn’t been on ground this soft, while Pride Of Arras is in the same boat after just the two starts, whereas Joseph O’Brien’s Tennessee Stud won’t be bothered by the rain and looks overpriced at around 40/1, so is a fascinating each-way angle. However, with interest fading in the long ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter, Delacroix under Ryan Moore has just about topped the betting and although an unfussy type, won’t mind the ground and gets my vote.