Epsom Derby Betting Tips

Royal Ascot just around the corner, but before we all head to the royal event, we've got two days of racing in the Epsom Downs as we build up to the start of the Epsom Derby Meeting.

The feature race on the card is scheduled to take place on Saturday afternoon. However, punters have over a day's worth of racing to watch before the big guns take to the track. Quite a few group one races are on the schedule, and to help you pick out the best of the bunch Bet UK have picked out three horses for both days, which we think can do the business.

For the latest Epsom Derby Betting, head over to Bet UK's online betting markets, where you'll find all the latest horse racing betting odds for every race at Epsom and around the UK.

Bet on the Epsom Derby

BetUK - Epsom Derby Day 2 Tips

It’s Derby Day at Epsom on Saturday afternoon as the racing world centres on the famous Surrey Downs for Britain's most keenly-awaited Classic contest.

The Derby (16.30) is a race steeped in history and is at the centre of the thoroughbred universe. Which of the 16 contesting colts will add their name to the history books this year?

There are eight races in all at Epsom on Saturday, from 13:25-17:50, and we have selected our best bets in all of them.

13:25 - Hong Kong Jockey Club Lester Piggott Handicap (1m2f)

A pleasing display at Epsom in April saw PORTSMOUTH scoring in style over a mile for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy. The Gleneagles gelding has since been to Goodwood and tackled Saturday’s longer trip, doing well in the circumstances to be second after racing too freely early on as he carried a 6lb penalty on ground slower than ideal. There could be more to come and he can get his trainer/jockey off to a flyer on what could be a landmark day for connections.

Selection: Portsmouth

14:00 - Princess Elizabeth Stakes (Fillies' & Mares' Group 3, 1m½f)

Running Lion was second in a better race than this at Newmarket last month. John & Thady Gosden's contender could bounce back now but that form has taken some knocks. An alternative is ROYAL DRESS for James Tate. The Night Of Thunder filly produced a personal best on her seasonal/stable bow at Goodwood four weeks ago to win the Listed Conqueror Stakes and the extra half-furlong at Epsom looks a positive given how well she finished at the West Sussex course.

Selection: Royal Dress

14:35 - Diomed Stakes (Group 3, 1m½f)

An open renewal of the Diomed. The likes of Highland Avenue, Embesto, Regal Reality and Epictetus command respect if they put their best foot forward, but an each-way alternative is SEAN for Jamie and Saffie Osborne. He went close in a Meydan Group 3 in the spring and ran well either side of that in better races in the Middle East. His most recent outing, on dirt, is readily overlooked and he might have something to offer on his British racecourse bow.

Selection: Sean

15:10 - 3YO 'Dash' Handicap (5f)

This is the first of two puzzling sprints. McLOVEN is likely to be on the speed from early doors and the Harry Angel colt could see it out strongly. His Goodwood second (5f, soft) last month saw him finish behind a rapid improver in No Half Measures and the Simon Dow-trained contender could be value at a decent price to make the frame again.

Selection: McLoven

15:45 - Aston Martin 'Dash' Handicap (Heritage Handicap, 5f)

SILKY WILKIE (second) and Clarendon House (third) were split by a flared nostril as they finished just behind Navello in this contest 12 months ago. The Middleham Park-owned pair are back for another crack on Saturday and Karl Burke's five-year-old is a whopping 19lb better off. He has been running well this spring, sports first-time cheekpieces on this occasion with Clifford Lee back in place of a claiming rider and may well have been earmarked for this contest.

Selection: Silky Wilkie

The Derby (Group 1, 1m4f)

A cracking field in which cases can be made for a number of runners. Ballydoyle pair City Of Troy and Los Angeles should be popular, while Lingfield Trial winner Ambiente Friendly is respected and French Guineas second Dancing Gemini could go well upped in trip. The only course winner is BELLUM JUSTUM and the formbook points to the Sea The Stars colt running a big race for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy now he is upped in trip. The trainer has saddled four placed runners in the last five years and can break his Derby duck this year.

Selection: Bellum Justum

17:15 - Long Shot Northern Dancer Handicap (1m4f)

IF NOT NOW ran well on his seasonal bow, his first start after being gelded, as he finished third at Lingfield three weeks ago. Connections thought enough of him to tackle a German Group 1 last summer and he still has scope for better for Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan.

Selection: If Not Now

17:50 - JRA Tokyo Trophy Handicap (6f)

Mr Wagyu won this in 2022 and made the frame last season, and he should run his race again in all probability. However, for win purposes another 4YO is preferred in RUSSET GOLD. He found things unfolding too fast in the 3YO Dash at Epsom last season but has run well in three 6f starts at Ascot either side of a winter break. He is on a fair mark and the 6f around the Downs could be perfect for him under James Doyle.

Selection: Russet Gold

Epsom Derby Festival Tips: Day 1

The third and fourth Classics of the British Flat season will take place at Epsom over the next two days, with the titular Derby on Saturday. Day one on Friday has more Group 1 action, with the fillies' Classic, The Oaks (16:30) supplemented by the Coronation Cup for the older horses over the same distance (15:10).

There are seven races in all at Epsom on Friday and we have selected our best bets in all off them.

14:00 - Betfred British EBF Woodcote Stakes (6f)

This is an early named race for two-year-olds and it can produce classy winners, like Pinatubo and Buratino, but they are in the minority and what you normally need is a precocious juvenile. NEW CHARTER has easily the best form in the field to this point, showing greenness when she chased home a well-fancied Godolphin debutante 13 days ago. She can build on that now.

Selection: New Charter

14:35 - Trustatrader Handicap (1m½f)

It has been more miss than hit for BENACRE in recent times, but he has suggested that things are coming right of late. A third at Wolverhampton on his reappearance suggested that this sort of trip has been his ideal all along and he ran in a much more competitive race than this at Newmarket last time. He won at Epsom twice as a two-year-old and is the only course winner in the field, so that is one question he need not answer back on the Downs.

Selection: Benacre

15:10 - Holland Cooper Coronation Cup (Group 1, 1m4f)

While there is no doubt that Emily Upjohn in top form would be the likeliest winner, she is becoming hard to count on. The soft conditions could set up well for something of a shock, which HAMISH might be able to provide in this ground. He is fit and has plenty of form in these sorts of small-field Group races. He showed he is as good as ever on reappearance and the chances of him springing a surprise are under-priced.

Selection: Hamish

15:45 - Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap (1m2f)

While it is acknowledged that LIBERTY LANE will need to be Group-class to win this handicap off a mark of 106, in doing so he would only be confirming the sort of impression he has left throughout his career. He ran in Derby trials this time last year and took a step forward to win a hot handicap at Newmarket's Guineas meeting off 101 last time. He remains with untapped potential and could be a little too good for this field.

Selection: Liberty Lane

16:30 - Betfred Oaks (Group 1, 1m4f)

The Guineas often provide the most important clues to the Derby and Oaks and it looks like that will work out this year. YLANG YLANG is an Oaks filly on background, being by Frankel from a middle-distance family, so it is to her great credit that she has shown what she has around a mile. She looked very much ready for a step up in distance when a close-up fifth at Newmarket less than four weeks ago and the ability to handle the track is one of very few unknowns. She should be a dominant favourite.

Selection: Ylang Ylang

17:10 - Aston Martin Surrey Stakes (Listed, 7f)

It has been a tale of run-to-run progress so far in the career of ZOUM ZOUM, who was last seen finishing second to Esquire in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury six weeks ago. That run was on good to soft and he had previously won twice on ground described as heavy, so conditions will pose him no problem here. He has the pace to cope with Epsom's seven-furlong course, which is downhill much of the way, and the booking of the excellent Rossa Ryan is clearly no negative for all this horse has got on well with Rob Hornby to this point.

Selection: Zoum Zoum

17:40 - Molson Coors Handicap (7f)

We finish with another seven-furlong handicap in which having the pace to lay up on the long downhill run will be vital. SPANISH STAR is a fascinating runner who appeals as just the type to cope with this test. He has an excellent record at Goodwood, mostly over six-furlongs, and has proved this year that he retains all of his ability at the age of nine. He won this race last year from a 1lb higher mark and this year he has a slightly better draw (stall four) and a top-drawer jockey in Tom Marquand.

Selection: Spanish Star

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Whether you’re placing a bet at Cheltenham, Kempton or Aintree, the National Hunt Season is full of top-class racing. Not only do we have the main meetings at Bet UK, we also have daily horse racing betting from across the UK and Ireland, so you’ll never miss a hurdle or chase race.

Normally National Hunt racing does run throughout the entire UK horse racing calendar. However, the main events happen between October and April, where the biggest horses in jumps racing will feature in Grade 1 handicaps.

Before placing a bet on any National Hunt Horse racing at Bet UK, you’ll need to know the ins and outs of National Hunt Racing. So, whether you’re looking for a win, place or each way, we’ve got you covered.

In our National Hunt Guide, we’ll talk you through all of the betting options and give you some insight into how to select a horse that can handle the distance and going conditions.

National Hunt Bets at Bet UK?

Win Bet in the National Hunt

A simple bet; it basically means you’re betting on a horse to finish in first place.

Place Bet in the National Hunt

As well as betting on a horse to win a race, punters can place a bet on a horse to finish either second or third in a race.

Each way Bet in the National Hunt

This option provides punters with two separate bets - one to win and one to place. Normally the place part of the bet is settled on the first three horses to finish; however, this can vary depending on the number of horses in the race and whether the race is a handicap.

Non-Handicap Races 2-4 Runners pays on win only 5-7 Runners pay on the first and second with a ¼ of the odds 8 or more runners will pay out on first, second and third with a ⅕ of the odds

Handicap Races 2-4 Runners pays on win only 5-7 Runners will pay on the first and second and offer ¼ of the odds 8-11 Runners on the first, second or third places with a ¼ of the odds 12-15 Runners on first, second and third with a ¼ of the odds 16+ Runners pays on the first four to pass the post with a ¼ of the odds

Forecast Betting

If you want to pick more than one horse in a race, then a forecast could be the best option for you. Within this bet, you will select a horse who will finish in first and second place, and the bet will only pay out if that scenario occurs.

Tricast

This bet is similar to a forecast but involves three horses, and the bettor must select them to finish correctly in first, second and third for the bet to pay out.

What races will horses feature in during the National Hunt Season?

Bumpers are National Hunt flat races that feature zero obstacles. Normally for younger horses who have no experience over hurdles or fences, they will make their debuts in these races in preparation for the next season.

Hurdles are the smallest of the National Hunt obstacles. These are where horses will progress to after bumper races.

Chase fences are the larger obstacles in National Hunt racing. These steeplechase fences require more skill to jump than hurdles, and horses can often fall if they misjudge the size of the fence.

What are novice National Hunt races?

These types of races are specifically for horses who are new to the National Hunt Racing. Common over hurdles and chase fences, multiple races can be seen throughout the season.

What are Handicap races?

Like those seen in the flat season, handicap races are the most common in National Hunt Racing. Each horse in these races will carry different weights depending on its most recent performances.

What are Conditions races?

Unlike handicaps, every horse involved in a conditions race will carry the same weight regardless of their form.

What are the Different Grades of Races Used in National Hunt Racing?

Like other UK horse racing, many of the races across the National Hunt Season will have classifications ranging from Grade 1, which are the biggest races on the calendar, to Grade 2, Grade 3, down to listed races, handicaps and then bumpers. Races will also be given a class of 1-7, with Grade 1-3 contests falling under class 1.

What are the key National Hunt Racing Days

Throughout the National Hunt Season, there are key meetings on which punters will potentially place bets. These are the:

Betfair Chase King George VI Chase at Kempton Cheltenham Festival, which features the Champion Hurdle, the Champion Chase, and the Cheltenham Gold Cup Aintree Festival, which includes the Grand National

What are the most common types of going in National Hunt Racing?

Due to main National Hunt races happening in the winter months, the going conditions for the races are Good to Soft (good ground holding water), Soft (common in the jumps season, the ground holds more moisture) and Heavy (very wet and can be difficult to run on). In Ireland, Yielding is the equivalent of good to soft.

National Hunt Horses to Watch in 2022/23

Honeysuckle

Given her form since 2020 season, it's hard to ignore Honeysuckle. The winner of Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown and the Punchestown Champions Hurdle, she looks set to keep her unbeaten run intact this season. We expect to see her in Ireland at some point in November, so keep your eyes on the racecards.

Famoso

A half brother to Tornado Flyer and with bloodlines to Hurricane Fly, it’s hard to ignore the pedigree of Famoso. Trained by Paul Nicholls, it looks as though he’ll go out over distances of just over 2 miles and given the fact he’s had an extra year to mature, we think he’ll soon go beyond his 111 rating.

Exelerator Express

Trained by Bet UK ambassador Neil Mulholland Exelerator Express was victorious in four of his seven outings in 2021 and has also placed in two of those races. He’s expected to head to Cheltenham Festival later in the season with the Arkle the aim.

Coconut Splash

Trained by Evan Williams, this six-year-old ran well last season and finished the campaign with a rating of 137 as a novice chaser. He’ll most likely head to somewhere like Chepstow or Wetherby for his first start of the season, as he seems to favour soft or heavy ground. He’s still a novice when it comes to chasing so it may take a race for him to find his feet, but given that he finished second behind Chantry House in his last race, we expect to see good things.

Ante Post betting, also known as futures betting, is well known with regards to horse racing betting. Horse racing betting often offers odds on big races long before they actually take place, allowing you to potentially get better odds and bigger returns.

What is Ante Post betting?

Ante Post betting is when you place a bet on a horse race before the race card is confirmed and the race actually takes place. For example, the Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup is a popular Ante Post race, as it is one of the biggest races of the horse racing calendar. In the run up to the race, there might be a wide selection of horses that are speculated to be entered into the race. Until the racecard is officially confirmed, any bet placed on the race will effectively be classed as Ante Post.

There are also some risks with Ante Post betting however. As the racecards are not yet confirmed, there is a chance that your selection might not even race. So although you might get increased odds on a sure favourite, there is a chance that your horse has no chance of winning. With Ante Post betting, any bet that is placed and then does not run, will be resulted in a loss. This means that no refunds will be issued and the stake will be lost.

Ante Post betting also applies to more betting markets than just horse racing. There are also other sports that feature ante post betting, including football betting. For example, a bet on the outright winner of the Premier League would be an ante post bet, as it will not be settled until the end of the season. These kind of ante post bets provide less risk however, as the team you bet on is guaranteed to take part in the Premier League season.

Ante Post Betting Example

• The Cheltenham Gold Cup is raced every March at Cheltenham racecourse, but markets for the race are typically open all year round. In anticipation of the race, you decide to place a bet on Horse A in January.
• As the race draws closer, the race card is confirmed. Horse A has instead been entered into another race and will not be taking part in the Gold Cup.
• With Horse A entering into another race, your bet will be resulted in a loss. Unless there is a special ‘No Runner No Bet’ offer, a horse not running will always result in a loss with no stake being returned. If there is ‘No Runner No Bet’ offer, then the stake will be returned.
• If Horse A does run, then the bet will be settled as normal. The bet will also avoid any Rule 4 declarations, meaning that your chances of winning will be increased, but your payout will remain the same.

Head back to our Bet UK Betting Guides for more information on our huge selection of betting markets.

Bet UK's online betting has the latest Ante Post betting on the biggest racing festivals, including the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot. Bet UK's sports betting blog covers the latest sporting news from all major events, including the latest odds, tips and previews.