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2020 Investec Derby Betting Preview – Pile into Pyledriver at 16/1 Updated for October 2024

Pyledriver is a Derby betting long shot fancy

Updated: 5th October 2024

Derby betting Odds 2020

English King9/4
Kameko7/2
Mogul7/1
Russian Emperor13/2
Vatican City8/1
Pyledriver16/1
Highland Chief16/1
Mohican Heights20/1
Khalifa Sat25/1
Serpentine25/1
Worthily33/1
Armory25/1
Emissary33/1
Amhran Na Bhfiann50/1
Max Vega50/1
Mythical40/1
Gold Maze50/1
Bet365 Racing OddsBet365 Racing Odds

For the first time in many years, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and entourage will not be in attendance at Epsom for the 2020 Investec Derby.

The same can be said about the thousands of racing fans and punters that would usually flock to the historic racecourse.

Thankfully, however, Epsom and the local authorities did manage to strike an arrangement that allowed proceedings to go ahead on Saturday July 4th, providing the general public (and Royals) stay away.

That means we have a weekend of top-class Classics racing to look forward to, as the Epsom Derby coincides with the Oaks and the Coral Eclipse for the first time ever.

English King is the leading Derby betting favourite, while dual-Group 1 winners Kameko and Aiden O’Brien’s Russian Emporer also look to challenge.

Run over 1m 4f 6y, the Group 1 Class 1 Epsom Investec Derby is exclusively for three-year-olds, with the winners share of the purse amounting to a healthy £283,550.

Showers are forecast all day on Saturday, so runners may be faced with softer going than previous years have seen.

Derby Betting Preview – Key Runners and riders

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English King

Ed Walker-trained English King currently heads up the Derby betting at 9/4, with Frankie Dettori booked for the ride.

He was impressive in his victory at Lingfield in the Derby Trial last time out, clocking a terrific speed and winning by over two lengths.

If last year’s indication is anything to go by, then winning the Derby Trial can represent significance. Anthony Van Dyck did the same last year and went on to claim victory in the Derby proper.

Kameko

Kameko is next in line at 7/2, after proving his worth and form by winning the 2,000 Guineas last month. However, Wichita, the runner-up in that race was subsequently well-beaten at Royal Ascot, suggesting the field may not have been a strong one.

Irish trainer Aiden O’Brien has a whopping six-runners in the field, ranging from 13/2 to 50/1 in price. It’s no wonder why he has claimed victory in this race in five of the last eight years. Staking diligently on his horses could prove worthwhile.

Russian Emperor

The shortest price of the O’Brien gang goes to Russian Emperor (13/2), a Galileo looking to step up in trip to 1m4f.

He won last time out in the Hampton Court Stakes at Ascot, with Ryan Moore on board for the first time. It remains to be soon who Moore rides on Saturday, but we can be sure that will influence the price.

Two more Galileo-bred selections follow in Mogul (7/1) and Vatican City (8/1).

Mogul

Even considering a blip in Newcastle when he finished well behind Kameko, Mogul was long-considered to be the best chance for Ballydoyle to land the Derby.

However, a disastrous run in the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last month set the price adrift.

Vatican City

Vatican City is an exciting prospect with a lot to prove after an impressive second place in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Questions over stamina could be solved on Saturday.

Best Longshot: Pyledriver

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Elsewhere, Pyledriver (16/1) ran spectacularly last month to land the Kind Edward VII Stakes, beating the likes of Mogul and Mohican Heights who feature in Saturday’s field.
  • His price of 18/1 in that race looks absurd in hindsight, especially considering a Group 3 second place before that.
  • This is no doubt a stronger race, but if everything falls right for him, it could be another big-price upset.
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