Martin Dixon: Damysus made to measure in the Derby

This is a wide-open renewal of the Derby but Damysus is a horse that I’ve liked for the race since seeing him finishing third in the Sandown Classic Trial in April. 

He was still very green on that occasion and looked in the paddock as if the run would bring him forward and he did exactly that in the Dante, finishing a good second despite the modest tempo of that race not really suiting. 

I think he's a strong stayer, guaranteed to be find more improvement over this longer trip, and with rain forecast for Epsom on Saturday it could be a dour staying test that I think will suit. He’s also out of a mare who was a soft-ground Group Three winner in France, giving more encouragement if conditions do ease. He’s 12-1 with most firms offering four places. 

It's been a long time between drinks for Abduction, without a win since October 2023, but he’s competitively handicapped and would have won with a clearer run at Haydock on his penultimate outing. 

Last time he was ridden by an inexperienced jockey and pulled too hard off a slow pace over a mile so I can easily forgive that.This strongly-run seven furlong contest ought to see him to much better effect. 

If the rain comes as forecast at Epsom I expect the stands’ side will be the place to be, making high draws potentially a significant advantage in this 5f race, and that would help Blinky (drawn 17) who has already had a progressive season with two wins on the all-weather. 

He also won on good to soft last year, so would hopefully handle the prevailing conditions, and he’s a much bigger price than Ruby's Profit with whom he has a 9lb pull at the weights for finishing less than two lengths behind that rival at Chester last time. 

He's generally a 10-1 chance at the time of writing with most firms offering five places.