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4th Jun 2016 | Horse Racing

Epsom Derby Tips: Cloth Of Stars

Epsom Derby Tips: Cloth Of Stars

Won the same race as Pour Moi (2011 Derby Winner) and recorded a fast time without being full extended.

On Saturday we have one of the most open renewals of the Epsom Derby in many a year. Bookmakers are betting 5/1 the field and with 16 runners scheduled to take part, it really is anyone’s.

If we examine pace adjusted speed figures the picture becomes slightly clearer but with only a handful of runs by each horse don’t rule out a sudden improvement.

The Dante has been the best Derby trial all season and Wings Of Desire deserves to feature prominently in the betting. Unlike it was reported in the Racing Post, the Dante was run at a strong gallop and the form looks solid. Wings Of Desire, was one of the first off the bridle but enjoyed the stamina test to reel in Deauville. It was a good performance, although visually uninspiring.

I think there are a couple of horses yet to show their hand and one of those is Cloth Of Stars.


Unlike the English and Irish contingent, I cannot apply sectional ratings to his win at Saint Cloud, however it was impressive on the clock.

His time of 123.70s is only 0.68s slower than the time Pour Moi recorded when winning the same race in 2011. The official going report says Puor Moi’s win came on good to soft but this is untrue. Time based analysis says it was on good to firm and therefore quicker than the going Cloth Of Stars encountered, which was more in line with good.

In summary Cloth Of Starts clocked a similar (going adjusted) time to Pour Moi, who lest we forget went onto win the Derby for the same trainer – Andre Fabre.

Cloth Of Stars also passes the eye test. In the Prix Greffulhe he came from last to first under a hands and heels ride and was worth more than his 2.5 length margin of victory. The recent rain won’t be an issue either because all his races have been on good or softer.

It has been a long wait but Cloth Of Stars could provide Godolphin with their first Derby winner at a healthy 8/1 (William Hill).

1pt Cloth Of Stars to win 8/1 with William Hill
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Odds correct at time of publishing: 02:55 4th Jun, 2016 but subject to change

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