Derby Day

Heading into the Bank Holiday weekend there is a really busy day's action with no less than seven meetings taking place this afternoon with five meetings on the level at Epsom, Haydock, Musselburgh, Catterick and Beverley as well as two over the sticks at Cartmel and Stratford.  All eyes of course will be on the Epsom Downs where it is Derby Day.  The Queen will be present and she will be arriving in an open top car - let's hope the weather stays dry for her!  It's quite ironic - the best flat race in the world is probably held on the worst track, with it's steep undualtions, sharp downhill bends and terrible camber into the rails.

An American once asked me why we run such a prestigious race on such a track and to be fair, it was a good question (and one that I struggled to explain).  Only nine runners go to post this afternoon, the smallest field for over one hundred years.  I don't think it is the track that has frightened off the majority of contenders, more the presence of Camelot - he has already been touted of as a potential Triple Crown winner after his success in the 2,000 Guineas.  If he were to succeed this afternoon he would be two thirds of the way there.  They say that you should never be frightened of just one horse - I don't know who says it, but I suppose they have a point - especially when there is a chance that the horse won't handle the unique track.  What a day for nineteen year old Joseph O'Brien - he must really be feeling the pressure, even if he does always look so cool.

The Downs will be absolutely packed this afternoon and I would urge anyone to go at least once - the atmosphere is electric, the only drawback is that it will take you the best part of a week to get out of the track!

*****

There is some good international footballing action on this evening on ITV as England take on Belgium.  England are 4/6 with Hills and need to beat the Belgians if they are to think that they have any chance in the European Championships.  England are as big as 16/1 to win Euro 2012 - they are on the drift and will only get bigger if they don't get a good result tonight.  Everyone seems to want to lay England.