Derby Festival eye-catchers: Five horses to follow from Epsom

Race: Second in the - (2.35pm, Friday).

showed bundles of promise in six starts for Francis-Henri Graffard and almost made a winning British debut on his first start for Hamad Al-Jehani here following a seven-month absence having changed hands for €340,000 last year. 

The Siyouni colt raced exuberantly and travelled powerfully into contention, before finding only Two Tempting, who showed improved form plus had the advantage of the rail, too good in a driving finish. Beshtani was also conceding over a stone to the winner, and is entitled to strip fitter for this outing.

He pulled nicely clear of the third and had some useful handicappers in behind, so the form looks solid, and this four-year-old should have lots more to offer for his new connections.

This effort suggests he's got a big handicap in him, and I wouldn't put you off backing him at the general 16-1 on offer for the Royal Hunt Cup at on June 19, with a stiff mile sure to suit based upon this effort.

Race: Third in the - (3.45pm, Friday).

Kevin Coleman's charge enjoyed a productive campaign last season, winning two Sky Bet Sunday Series races, and although he failed to sparkle in a couple of spins over hurdles during the winter, he's looked unlucky not to score again on the Flat this year. 

The six-year-old caught the eye when a fast-finishing third at Naas in May following a pipe-opener at Cork, and it was a similar scenario here.

Held up in the rear of the field by Hayley Turner, Derry Lad was travelling powerfully on the turn into the straight but was repeatedly short of room, and found himself with plenty to do.

The Irish raider was forced to challenge wide before finishing strongly when eventually in the clear entering the final furlong and, despite tender handling, he clocked the quickest sectional in the final furlong plus finished with running left in him.

This was another effort that signalled he'll be winning another race soon, and he's a must for your Racing TV Tracker.

Race: Seventh in the - (3.45pm, Friday).

I'm sure anyone reading this who backed (or Derry Lad!) was also cursing while watching this 1m2f handicap as Clifford Lee endured a nightmare journey aboard the four-year-old who was sent off favourite.

It was easy to see why punters (me included) fancied him strongly as he'd produced a career best to win a valuable handicap at Newmarket on his previous outing off a rating of 101, and has always been held in high regard by Karl Burke who ran in the Dante last year. 

Legitimate excuses (quick ground being one) have been the reason for a handful of below-par runs over the past 12 months, and it is best to forgive this outing given he was stuck behind a wall of horses until the final furlong where any chance he had was gone.

Admittedly, he did race quite keenly in the early stages, a trait which he's shown on most outings, although he did appear to settle better en route to victory at HQ in May. A less-than-ideal pace set by stablemate Bolster didn't help his cause, though, and the John Smith's Cup Handicap at York on July 13 is a potential target now.

I've backed him at 12-1 for the 1m2½f contest with William Hill, but only a small investment as his owner, Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum, has multiple entries, and Liberty Lane is unlikely to run if the ground is fast. 

It will be disappointing if he cannot win another big handicap this season, despite remaining on a rating of 106, as there's a good chance he's a Group horse in the making.

Race: Second in the - (2.00pm, Saturday).

It's hard to argue wasn't an unlucky loser in the following her luckless effort in defeat.

George Boughey's filly was hampered as she endured traffic problems when attempting to make her challenge in the straight and lost valuable momentum, and ground, at a crucial stage. 

She finished powerfully (her closing sectional was the fastest in the field) once switched wide and was in front a few strides after the line. Connections will no doubt be frustrated their three-year-old did not record her first Group win here, but this effort confirms she is capable of scoring in this grade.

Chic Colombine improved dramatically last season having scored off a rating of 74 on her handicap debut and looks to have taken another step forward this year. She failed to sparkle in the French 1000 Guineas on her penultimate outing, although wasn't seen to best effect from stall 15, and it remains to be seen whether she can be competitive at Group One level.

She's a general 25-1 for the Coronation Stakes and while Boughey advised that is her intended target, she won't want fast ground, so may head elsewhere if conditions aren't suitable.

Race: Third in the - (3.10pm, Saturday).

Due For Luck is certainly due a change of luck and it is surely only a matter of time before he records another victory. 

John and Sean Quinn's speedster looked a work in progress last season, despite recording two victories, and took a step forward when a fast-finishing third at Chester on his seasonal debut where he was repeatedly denied a clear run before flashing home. 

He would have almost certainly won in a few more strides there, and while the three-year-old probably wasn't an unlucky loser here, he would have finished closer had he not suffered a couple of traffic problems which caused the winner and the second to gain first run on him.

Surprisingly, the handicapper has left him on a rating of 85 which he looks capable of scoring off, and this keen-goer will hopefully settle better as he matures.