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Diamond Jubilee Handicap preview

Derby Day opens up with one of those tricky handicaps, so our handicap race expert Dan Kelly, @muffinmannhc is back with his preview.

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The opening race on Derby Day has seen a fair number of horses end up better than just a handicapper, and even though last years renewal was a little thin on the ground, it wouldn't surprise me if this years race housed another Dandino or Conduit. So far at this years Investec Derby Festival we've seen a fair few messy races, and worryingly this handicap has the potential to be also,

Pace is drawn in 10 in the form of Mister Music, other than him I'm struggling for a confirmed front runner, and when looking back at Grandeur race at Goodwood, that was a prerace doubt there also, however it needn't have been. Buick settled him well just off the pace with enough room to move as and when he wanted to, and today in stall 13 he has that option today. Granduer was an improving 2yo, doing everything but winning on debut, he went on to win a Brighton maiden comfortably. His 3yo campaign opened with a Sandown handicap on ground obviously softer than ideal, however at Goodwood he was very strong in the market to suugest that not only would he benefit fot that run, he would appreciate the return to quicker conditions and so it proved. I think he has the potential to be far better than 90, it's all about whether Buick gets a handy position from the off.

It's not often that I am drawn to a runner that took 5 attempts to break maiden, and late to the 3yo handicap scene, but I am looking forward to seeing Star Date here on handicap debut. Not as attractive as others due to connections, and the fact doesn't come here as unexposed as some, he has posted some good efforts, the best of which was his defeat at Chester. He was keen early, but considering he'd have found the ground too soft, he never gave up, and posted a very game effort. The Ripon race fell apart in front of him, but did show the ability to hand a sharp track, as he did again at Chester. Half Brother to Quest FOr Peace, he's yet to encounter his ideal conditions in his 5 runs to date, 10f+, Good to Firm ground, today he does and with a useful claimer taking a further 5lb off his back, he's worthy of close attention at 12s+.

1pt Win Grandeur @ 4s+ 0.5pt Win Star Date @ 12s+

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