Horse Racing Tips
Epsom Derby Tips: Runner-By-Runner Guide To 2026 Race
A look at the nine declared runners for the 2026 Oaks at Epsom Downs, with William Hill News previewing the chances of each runner and we’ve even got a 1-2-3 forecast for readers.
Registered as one of Great Britain’s five historic Classic horse races, and exclusively open to three-year-old thoroughbred colts and fillies, this season’s Epsom Derby on Saturday 6 June has attracted a total of fourteen declared runners.
Our horse racing expert Steven Mullington goes through the runners one by one and assesses their chances of landing one of Britain’s most prestigious races on the calendar.
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The Frankel-colt boosted his Derby credentials by finishing a strong second in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York. The Dante is traditionally the most reliable English trial for the Derby so the stable will be fairly confident of a bold showing.
Alderman
On an official rating of just 83, Alderman is the lowest-rated horse in the field. He finished a 4¼-length second to Water To Wine in a Class 2 maiden and it will require a run of a lifetime to win here.
Ancient Egypt
Holds a lifetime record of three wins from four starts, but every one of those runs has been on good-to-firm ground. The big question is will he be able to handle the ground?
A Taste Of Glory
Finished last of six in the Lingfield Derby Trial and has it all to do to get involved. Owner Ahmad Al Shaikh has hit the frame with outsiders before so expected the unexpected.
Balzac
Jane Chapple-Hyam has stated that she is targeting a top-six finish to claim a slice of the massive Derby prize pot. I predict 5th or 6th position for this one then.
Bay Of Brilliance
Narrowly beaten by a neck by Maltese Cross in the Lingfield Derby Trial, Ralph Beckett’s charge can be a major player and he has proven wet-weather form in the book already.
Benvenuto Cellini
It was all systems go to Epsom for Aidan O’Brien’s star three-year-old after he secured an emphatic four-and-a-half length victory in the Group 3 Chester Vase. The beautifully bred colt is the one they all have to beat on paper and he’s my NAPs table selection.
Christmas Day
He put in a career-best performance to win the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown which would give him some sort of a squeak in this Classic.
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Smart winner of the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York and comes to Epsom with a leading chance if he can back up that result on the Downs. His pedigree suggests that the 1m4f trip will unlock even more improvement.
James J Braddock
Delivered a brilliant performance to win the Group 3 Leopardstown Derby Trial, beating Aidan O’Brien’s highly fancied Pierre Bonnard in the process. He’s a leading light for sure.
Maltese Cross
Sired by 2009 Derby victor Sea The Stars out of a Camelot mare, his bloodline alone makes him a serious Derby contender himself. Can the Lingfield Trial scorer do the double?
Pierre Bonnard
Bolted up on very soft ground to win the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud last term, so the weather forecast is wonderful news for his connections. I can’t see him finishing out of the frame.
Poker
Poker is facing a monumental uphill task at Epsom and is Amo Racing’s second string in the race. I’d look elsewhere.
Rebel Rocker
Outran his 33-1 sports betting odds last month to finish a gallant runner-up in the Blue Riband Trial here. It’s entirely plausible he could run into a place here too.
Epsom Derby Prediction 1-2-3:
- Benvenuto Cellini
- Bay Of Brilliance
- Pierre Bonnard
*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*
