Vodafone Derby Betting Tips

Paul Cole was a trainer in his pomp in the late 80s and early 90s - the days when the late Fahd Salman's popular dark green silks were carried to victory by Cole-trained equine athletes with great regularity. But while things aren't so buoyant in terms of firepower at the Whatcombe handler's yard nowadays, he is still as adept at training horses as anyone on the circuit. And he can underline this point by capturing the Vodafone Derby at Epsom on June 2 with Strategic Prince. The son of Dansili shaped encouragingly when eighth of 24 behind Cockney Rebel in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket where he was third home of the group of 10 that raced on what turned out to be the 'wrong' side on the Rowley Mile. He will be all the better for that run. Indeed, not only will he come on a good deal for that seasonal reappearance, but he also gives the impression that he'll relish the step up to a mile and a half. Some question whether 12 furlongs will bring out the best in him given how much speed he displayed as a juvenile. However, there is ample stamina in his pedigree. His half-brother Yorkshire, who Cole also trained, was effective at trips ranging from a mile to two and a quarter so, if Strategic Prince has inherited that grand campaigner's genes, stamina won't be an issue, of that you can be sure. Sir Percy ended a barren spell for 2000 Guineas participants when prevailing on Derby Day last year. In fact, Marcus Tergoning's charge was the first horse since the brilliant Generous in 1991 to have run in that colts' Classic at HQ before going on to land Flat racing's blue riband event a month later. It's interesting that Guineas runners endured such a long-running Derby hoodoo, since during the 80s and the early 90s the Newmarket showpiece was the ultimate precursor to Epsom. Funnily enough, Generous was trained by Cole. In my opinion, it's only a matter of time before the trend of Guineas runners going on to win Derby's is restored with some degree of consistency. After all, unlike many of the recognised trials, the Guineas is always run at a strong end to end gallop, therefore it offers those with Epsom aspirations an opportunity to gain experience in a top-flight race run at a frenetic pace. Furthermore, the experience horses gain in the preliminaries at Newmarket must not be underestimated. This may seem trivial, but I'd bet my bottom dollar that a number of horses down the years have lost the Derby before they even entered the starting stalls. Every season, the pre-race parade causes some to become fractious, and work up a real lather of sweat. It's of paramount importance that a horse preserves all of his or her energy for a race of the Derby's magnitude, because they're going virtually flat out for a mile and a half of Surrey terrain. Strategic Prince's sound temperament will stand him in good stead, as will the fact that he is a well-balanced, strong horse. These ingredients are also key, because Epsom isn't a conventional track by any stretch of the imagination. No matter how good the jockey is in the saddle, if his four-legged partner isn't well balanced then the partnership will end up all over the place after they sweep around Tattenham Corner to face the undulating home straight and its thoroughly unique camber. The antepost favourite for this race, which is widely regarded as the most popular Flat race in Europe, is the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained Authorized, who is a best-priced 9/2 with Sporting Odds at the time of writing. However, quite why the son of Montjeu is less than a quarter the odds of Strategic Prince, who can be backed at a meaty 18/1 with Bet Chronicle, is anybody's guess. Don't get me wrong, Authorized is a horse of massive potential. He shaped well on his debut in a conditions race which invariably throws up smart sorts, before returning to the Berkshire venue to spring a 25/1 surprise in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy, a race he appeared to win with far more in hand than the length and a quarter winning margin implies. There is every chance Authorized will go on to prove himself a genuine top-notcher, but I cannot be backing him at such cramped odds all things considered. He might go some way to changing my mind if he wins the Dante impressively on May 17. But even then I won't be convinced. Quite what he achieved in winning the Racing Post Trophy is open to real debate, even allowing for the authority with which he scored. The ground was desperate at Newbury that day, causing some of the principals to underperform, particularly Eagle Mountain and Regime. The runner-up and third, sent off at 33/1 and 20/1 respectively for that contest, Charlie Farnsbarns and Medicine Path, are probably both only Listed class at best, which puts the form into perspective. Despite these compelling reasons to believe Authorized's price is ridiculously short, many are getting stuck in, pinning their hopes - and hard-earned cash - on the notion that he'll improve enough to justify his lofty position in the market. Salford Mill emerged as a credible contender with a victory in the Newmarket Stakes at the Guineas meeting, a race he won with a bit up his sleeve, while strongly suggesting that the step up from a 10 furlongs to the Derby distance would be much to his liking. On the basis of form, the son of Peintre Celebre will need to a major leap forward if he is to come out on top come June 2. But he's lightly raced and there should be a good deal more to come from him. My inclination is, however, that he'll run respectably, and perhaps finish in the money, but he doesn't strike me as a likely winner. Archipenko won the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown, a race which has proved to be a fine Epsom pointer over the years. His trainer, Aidan O'Brien, reckons there's more to come from the Kingmambo colt and at this stage he looks the best of the quartet of O'Brien runners that are relatively prominent in the market - Admiralofthefleet, Eagle Mountain and Soldier of Fortune being the others. Archipenko is another that will benefit greatly from a step up to a mile and a half and he ought to be thereabouts on Derby Day. Sir Michael Stoute's Guineas disappointment Adagio will be put to the test against Authorized in the Dante Stakes, as will the Roger Charlton-trained Proponent, who is very much a dark horse following his two eyecatching victories as a two-year-old. Regime looked good when taking the Classic Trial at Sandown, but I doubt he'll prove good enough. Verdict - 1pt e/w Strategic Prince @ 18/1 (Bet Chronicle)