Race-by-race guide to all the action at Epsom on Monday

It’s the Derby at Epsom on Bank Holiday Monday. No, not that one. This one is exclusively for amateur jockeys with Simon Walker seeking a third success in the past four years.

It’s a race that has been kind to punters in recent times, with none of the winners in the past nine years being bigger than 5-1.

There are not many runners on the card but the configuration of Epsom lends itself to drama and the winners are still likely to take a bit of finding. Andy Stephens (AS) and Archie Daniels (AD)

Shabana is the pick of those with experience but he was readily brushed aside at Nottingham last time and the door looks open for one of the newcomers to strike.

Enkindle and Beautiful Sunrise appeal on paper, especially the former who is a son of Derby winner New Approach out of the smart Enlace (rated 98 at her peak). Both sire and dam won first time out as two-year-olds. And with the demands of Epsom in mind, it’s encouraging that Enlace had soft spots for Goodwood and Chester.

Tip: Enkindle (AS)

A case can be made for all five runners, with a particular nod to Saatty, a winner on the all-weather at Chelmsford on his debut for Michael Appleby and Secret Handsheikh who similarly scored on a synthetic surface at Chelmsford last time out.

However, preference is for Ancient Times under Hayley Turner for Harry Eustace. The three-year-old hung right-handed under pressure at Newmarket last time out when the race was not run to suit but a reproduction of his winning effort at Lingfield in June would give him leading claims. There is also the prospect of him getting an easy lead.

Tip: Ancient Times (AD)

Titan Rock is a progressive three-year-old and looks the one to beat after his near-miss behind Fools Rush In at Chester last time.

The form of that race looks solid, as the prolific winner was scoring for the fifth time in seven starts and the third always goes well at that track. Titan Rock is only 1lb higher with Jason Hart, on board for his win at Redcar in June, belatedly reunited with him.

Course specialist Corazon Espinado always warrants a second look here but he’s run poorly on his past two starts, so Great King and Firepower may provide greater threats.

Tip: Titan Rock (AS)

A tricky puzzle. Simon Walker is one of the leading amateurs in the country and is respected aboard the Archie Watson-trained Great Esteem. However, he has to defy top-weight and is worth taking on.

Catfish Row is interesting, returning to the Flat 11 months on from finishing fourth at Saint-Cloud. However, Maori Knight gets the vote under Freddie Mitchell. Richard Hughes’ charge has yet to win after 11 starts on turf but he's been knocking at the door and ran a race full of promise when fourth at Goodwood last month. He steps up to 12 furlongs for the first time, but promises to stay.

Tip: Maori Knight (AD)

It’s not hard to imagine a scenario where Fast Steps gets the run of things from the front and, provided he curbs some of his exuberance, he will take some pegging back.

He did too much, too soon, at Goodwood last time, but he still shaped as if in good heart and he is 3lb lower here in a weaker race. His win at Epsom in April showed this track holds no fears for him.

Patient Dream, who finished ahead of Fast Steps at Goodwood, commands respect. Leroy Leroy is tricky to win with but twice ran well here in July off higher marks.

Tip: Fast Steps (AS)

Bonus is trained over the road from the track by Jim Boyle and is a contender to judge by his third at the track in July, as is Curtiz who has the services of Oisin Murphy having scored by a neck at Ffos Las on his latest start.

However, preference is for Mythical Madness. The evergreen 10-year-old won twice over course and distance in the space of a week last month and should not be judged too harshly on his subsequent defeat here, when seeking to complete a hat-trick in a better race.

Tip: Mythical Madness (AD)

Front-running Poet’s Magic seems likely to take plenty of stopping.

She’s been in great heart all summer and was a commanding winner at Carlisle last time, having previously beaten all bar Improvise (who has since ran a cracker at York) over course and distance. She’s gone up 7lb for her latest success but she excels over 7f and seems likely to get a soft time at the head of affairs.

Green Power and Canagat have tumbled in the weights but neither are threatening to take advantage. The Cruising Lord is unproven beyond 6f, so the consistent Flame Of Freedom looks the one for the forecast.

Tip: Poet’s Magic (AS)