Epsom Preview: Tapis can land Derby double

Tapis Libre looks to have been laid out to land the Ladies’ Derby Handicap for the second year running at Epsom this evening (6.10).

The Mick Easterby trained gelding was in rude health last summer when winning three times on the bounce, with the last of those successes coming in this contest off a mark of 75.

The six-year-old responded well to pressure to beat Sky Khan by 3/4 of a length in the hands of tonight’s rider Joanna Mason, and although the son of Librettist has failed to trouble the judge in five subsequent starts he is now able to race off a mark of just 70.

That makes Tapis Libre look extremely well-treated, and his shrewd handler has done a great job getting his mark down for a race which has clearly been his target for the past 12 months.

Dalgig ran a cracker when runner-up over course and distance last week and holds outstanding claims of going one better in the 1m 2f handicap (7.50).

The Jamie Osbourne trained gelding is yet to win in eight starts, but has finished in the frame on all but two occasions.

The four-year-old attempted to make all before being collared deep inside the last and beaten just over a length by Last Minute Lisa last time out, and off an unchanged mark of 75 this looks a golden opportunity for Dalgig to finally open his account.

Osbourne has a chance of landing a quick-fire double with the well-treated Amadeus Wolfe Tone in the following 7f handicap (8.25).

The gelding is a strong travelling sort who got back to winning ways when landing a 6f contest at Windsor last month off a mark of 82.

The five-year-old now races off just 3lb higher, and that makes the son of Amadeus Wolfe still look on a lenient mark given that he won off 87 last year and has been rated as high 96 .

Amadeus Wolfe Tone also caught the eye last time out at this venue when staying on to finish fifth in a 6f contest, and the step back up to 7f – over which he has notched three of his five career successes – looks sure to suit.

Selections:
6.10: Tapis Libre (NAP)
6.45: Conry
7.15: Silver Ranger
7.50: Dalgig (NB)
8.25: Amadeus Wolfe Tone
8.55: Comanchero