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How To Bet £20 on Saturday: Eagles set to soar in Irish Derby

Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023

The victory of Wings Of Eagles in the Derby looked no fluke and he can follow up in the Irish equivalent at the Curragh on Saturday (5.20).

If anything, the son of Pour Moi deserves extra credit for his exploits at Epsom because he was going away at the finish after getting stopped in his run a couple of times.

Some have suggested the trio who chased home home - Cliffs Of Moher, Cracksman and Eminent - softened each other up but the acceleration shown by Wings Of Eagles in the final furlong was striking and to my eye the best horse definitely won.

Wings Of Eagles went off at 40-1 and was showing much improved form but Epsom represented the first time he had been in a 1m4f race run at an end-to-end gallop and he clearly relished it.

A drop back to six furlongs on what turned out to be his final start of the year did not work out, in a race won by The Tin Man, but he might easily bounce back with a bang after the best part of a year off the track.

His absence is not a great concern because he has gone well fresh in the past (has won first time up in each of his two campaigns), he is racing over his optimum trip and will get the bit of juice in the ground he enjoys.

In addition, Charlie Hills has his stable in great form.

Finally, the unbeaten Dance Diva has plenty going for her in the Betway Empress Fillies' Stakes (2.40) but whether she should be as short as 4-1 is debatable.

At 12-1 with Betfair and Paddy Power, preference is for Ellthea, who left her debut running a long way behind her when a commanding winner over 5f at Carlisle last time.

This is a deeper race but there was some substance to that Carlisle race and there was plenty to like about the way she won it.

The stiff 6f of the July Course seems certain to suit her much better because she is bred to stay well.

Her dam won three pattern races at up to 1m2f and her offspring include the useful Von Blucher, who won at the July meeting last year.

How to bet £20 on Saturday:

OPTION ONE

2.05 Newmarket: Second Step £6 win at a general 7-2

2.40 Newmarket: Ellthea £2.50 each-way at 12-1 with Betfair and Paddy Power

3.15 Newmarket: Ibn Malik £2.50 each-way at a general 10-1

3.30 Newcastle: Seamour £2 win at a general 11-2

5.20 Curragh: Wings Of Eagles £2 win at 9-4 with bet365

OPTION TWO

£1 Win Lucky Fifteen

2.05 Newmarket: Second Step (7-2)

2.40 Newmarket: Ellthea (10-1)

3.15 Newmarket:Ibn Malik (10-1)

5.20 Curragh: Wings Of Eagles (2-1)

Plus £5 win on 2.05 Newmarket: Second Step (7-2)

The Score weekend naps

Saturday: 2.05 Newmarket: Second Step (7-2)

Sunday: 4.20 Curragh: Journey

The Score column's advice yielded a profit of nearly £3,000 in 2016 if you had followed every one of the options and you could get a selection of our tips sent to your inbox first! Simply fill out the form below and get The Score's tips as soon as they are ready!

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