Leung Ho Yin, Simon's Bio
Simon is a well respected full-time thoroughbred racing commentator specializing in pedigree and overseas international racing. He is currently the presenter on several racing television programmes including, ‘Horse Racing – Results’, ‘Simulcast Preview'’ and Simulcast oversea races.

Epsom Racecourse – Track Analysis (Derby Stakes Day):

As one of the most fabled switch-back courses in the world, some 20km to the south of London, fields for the Derby Stakes and the 4yo+ 86-105 Handicap at Epsom, some 2405m from racing immortality, have to tackle an entirely uphill run right in the first 1200m of this trip, ascending steadily by 45m, all the way to the top of the hill. Catching a mere breather in between, the field then bears continuously left and steeply downhill to meet the notorious Tattenham Corner, a wickedly tight turn that has caught many a clumsy runner with less balance to lose momentum – and even stumble – all through the years. Turning for home, runners will set sail for classic supremacy through the 750m stretch run that rolls continuously downhill. Overviewing this course, with its tight turns and daunting slopes, coupling with a firm turf strip, front-runners will most likely be favoured.

To the rest of the day’s contests, the 1203m 4yo+ 86-105 Handicap will break from a chute that rejoins the track at a wicked angle just off the Tattenham Corner; thus, horses drawing high numbers will have their work cut out for them. Meanwhile, the 1703m trip for both the Princess Elizabeth Stakes and the Diomed Stakes, as well as the 2015m World Pool Handicap will follow roughly the same route as the Derby Stakes. Then to the 1000m World Pool 'Dash' Handicap over the straight course, horses breaking close to the stand side would usually get the upper hand, but with a caveat that they break on top, or would be boxed in; rather, runners that rate early, yet with some late speed to pounce from the far side, could often surprise their competition, so running style is a key factor in race selections.

In last year’s Derby Stakes, when the turf was listed as good and the course was literally a conveyor belt, SERPENTINE, part of the six-pronged Coolmore attack with Emmet McNamara up, simply turned this race into a procession, and cleared the field with 1000m to go to wire the field, whereas KHALIFA SAT and AMHRAN NA BHFIANN, cruising second and third early, was simply no match for the Blue Riband winner and stayed second and third-best on the day.

With inclement weather looming for the weekend – and possibly cloudy on Saturday – this year’s edition of the Derby Stakes Day could be staged on softer ground, and it would be a gargantuan task for speed horses upfront to keep their competition at bay.

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