How to place a bet on this year’s Epsom Derby

Saturday’s Epsom Derby is one of the biggest races of the flat racing campaign – a storied classic that sits high on the season’s calendar.

Run over a mile, four furlongs and ten meters at Epsom Downs Racecourse, winners need stamina and skill to beat the serpentine turns of the left-handed track, but triumph here inks your name so permanent in the history books.

This year’s race marks the final Derby outing for legendary jockey Frankie Dettori, who will be looking to claim victory over Arrest.

Like the Grand National, it is a race that brings together both occasional bettors and connoisseurs. Everyone can try to choose the winner.

Ahead of Saturday’s race, Mail Sport tells you how to place a bet and how you could make your choice. Remember you must be over 18 to place a bet and please play responsibly.

Frankie Dettori hopes for one last Fairytale Derby outing for John and Thady Gosden arrest

How to bet on the Epsom Derby?

Each bookmaker (“bookmakers” for short) will have a website or app through which you can place your bet after opening an account. For a top classic like the Derby, many may have offers alongside their introductory offers.

If you’re in Epsom, or prefer a shopping spree, you can go to a bookie and place your bet in person – all you have to do is decide how you’re going to do it…

How to choose a horse?

As you wish! There is a range of different approaches, from the emotional to the more informed.

Maybe the colors of the jockey are particularly eye-catching or the horse has an interesting name?

If you decide to take a closer look at the form, you can consider a number of different things, such as the identity of the horse’s jockey or trainer, and whether either is deemed to have a successful season.

Bookmakers will set up in person next to the course in preparation for a busy day of action

Wings of Eagle (purple and white silks) were the 40/1 Derby Day winner in 2017

Another aspect worth considering is the ‘going’: how the terrain is on the course during the day and if the horse has a preference for a certain type. The ground can vary from Heavy (very wet and boggy), Soft (wet), Good (dry, but with some softness in the turf) to Firm (hard and dry), and not all horses will be able to excel in all terms. .

Last year’s winner Desert Crown was the favourite, duly winning at a 2/5 discount. But some of the champions of the recent past have been rank underdogs, including Wings of Eagles in 2017, which won at 40/1, and Serpentine, at 25/1 in 2020.

How it works he work?

Odds are calculated based on the horse’s chances of winning the race, with the lowest odds given to those with the best chance of winning. If a horse is 4/1, the bookmakers believe there is a much better chance of beating a horse priced at 40/1. The “favorite” is the horse with the shortest odds.

The easiest way to place a bet is to choose a horse to win: if so, you will get your initial stake plus your winnings according to its odds.

Alternatively, if you want a higher chance of a return on your bet, you can make a bet either way. This is when two bets are placed simultaneously on a horse – the first is a “to win” bet and the second is for the horse to place.

If the horse places – which, this year, Derby means it finishes between first and fourth – you earn a fifth of the horse’s chance of winning. This makes back and forth betting a better way to back horses with longer odds.

For example, if you were to bet £1 on San Antonio at 20/1 with one bet each way, it would essentially be two 50p bets. If the horse finished third, you would receive £2.50 – with £1.50 of that profit.

If you placed the same £1 on San Antonio to win and the horse did, you would receive £21, made up of your profit of £20 and your initial bet of £1.

What horses run?

Odds provided by Paddy Power and correct from June 2

Auguste Rodin is the bookmakers’ favorite and will start the race from ‘lucky stall’ No.10

…and why not take into account the expert opinion of Mail Sport’s top tipster?

Here, Mail Sport star tipster Sam Turner assesses runners and runners ahead of Saturday’s big race.

ADELAIDE RIVER

Well held by Arrest in both starts either side of a winter break and the limits have apparently been exposed at this level – *

STOP

Went through mud to beat Adelaide River in Chester and also closely matched Dubai Mile in October; should give Frankie a good last lap – ***

ARTISTIC STAR

Progressive, unexposed colt who handled the cuts in the ground well to win cleanly at Nottingham and Sandown. Can have an impact if inexperience doesn’t count against him – ***

Artististic Star may be inexperienced, but Sam Turner surprises Ralph Beckett’s colt

Aidan O’Brien is in the hunt for his ninth Derby winner – but the coach already holds the record for most race wins

AUGUSTE RODIN

Didn’t shoot in the 2000 Guineas but wouldn’t be the first of his stable to bounce back in style and his youthful form entitles him to high consideration – ****

DEAR FRIEND

Placed in a youthful Group 3 over ten furlongs and far from disgraced in the Dante Stakes at York, but the balance of form suggests he is more a friend of bookmakers than a punter – *

DUBAI MILE

Posted a good Derby try in the 2000 Guineas and closely matched Arrest and The Foxes in youth form, so he looks capable of getting a helping hand with a potentially suitable trip – ***

KING OF STEEL

Talented 2-year-old who was withdrawn early in the Dante Stakes after getting angry at the stalls; keeping the temper in check given today’s atmosphere will not be an easy task – **

MILITARYY ORDER

Caught bookies’ attention with an elegant comeback win at Newbury and cemented Derby claims with a bold victory at the Lingfield Trial. Brother of 2021 winner Adayar and likely to improve again – *****

PASSENGER

Newmarket’s first smooth win preceded an ill-fated run in the Dante Stakes behind the Foxes. Unlike his trainer, therefore, rushing a horse from his profile remains an intriguing prospect – ****

SAN ANTONIO

Can run briskly but saw ten furlongs extended heavily at Chester on Alder exit and looks certain to step forward again through this tougher test – ***

Passenger triumphed at Chester’s May Festival in the Boodles Dee Stakes

Oisin Murphy and The Foxes (blue and white silks) could upset with a strong performance

SPRAY

Talented colt who got a trial at Leopardstown for this easy race. Has only tackled easy conditions so far, but a major player if faced with faster conditions – ***

THE FOXES

Well-mounted to return from White Birch in a messy renewal of York’s Dante Stakes and major claims if today’s journey does not deplete his stamina reserves – ****

WAIPIRO

Has made leaps and bounds this season and stepped up to his first Newmarket win with a fine loss at Lingfield behind Military Order; watch a stranger live – ****

WHITE BIRCH

Compromised by a slow start before finishing the race strong in the Dante Stakes behind The Foxes. It seems sure to savor this journey and appears the frame material if it breaks better – ***