TONY CALVIN: SATURDAY details, Derby numbers and double entries at Epsom

17 left in the Derby

No Derby surprises after the midday confirmation stage at the five-day stage on Monday.

As expected, Aidan O’Brien took out his French Derby 1-2 of Constitution River and Hawk Mountain, but he still has seven of the 17 in here, including the [15/8] favourite Benvenuto Cellini.

I’ll have a look at the race for the first serious time on Monday afternoon, but nothing immediately really stands out at the current prices.

It is a pretty underwhelming race, quality-wise, if truth be told, but of course it is carpeted with potential.

Jesus, Joseph has more than the odd wee donkey

One thing I noticed when doing the double entries is how many Epsom entries Joseph O’Brien has at Epsom on Friday and Saturday: I counted 13, as well as having an army at home midweek and one entry at Musselburgh at the weekend, too.

It’ll be interesting to know how many horses he has now.

Even Dan Skelton may be getting jealous….

COURSE DETAILS

EPSOM

5 Furlong Course

Flat Turf: Good to Firm (Good in places) (Going Stick 6.9 on Mon 8:45am)

Derby Course

Flat Turf: Good (Good to Firm in places) (Going Stick 6.6 on Mon 8:45am)

Monday morning update: Dry since May 19. No rain expected until Monday evening into Tuesday morning, followed by possible heavy showers through Tuesday, clearing in the evening. Met Office suggesting 10mm at least in that 24 hour period, possibly up to 20mm. Thereafter the week remains unsettled, with showers possible most days, much of which are likely to be light in nature but could turn heavier on Thursday. Temperatures will be in the late teens/early twenties all week.

Watering: 20mm in total applied Monday-Friday of last week. 5mm to entire course Saturday. No watering Sunday and in light of weather forecast for Monday-Tuesday no watering planned for Monday. Reviewed daily.

Latest yr.no (3.45pm Monday):  3mm Monday (due to start 7pm but overcast and spots of rain at moment nearby), 11mm Tuesday, 1.5mm Wednesday; 3mm Thursday, 2.8mm Friday; 2.1mm Saturday; Friday/Saturday 15-17 degrees (amounts have been changing a lot)

DOUBLE ENTRIES AT EPSOM ON SATURDAY (this week only – Irish weekend entries are known tomorrow afternoon)

1.30pm: Alcantor, Audience, Balmacara, Breckenbrough, Copacabana Sands, Cowardofthecounty, Linwood

NB: Poet Master and Ten Bob Tony are in an early-closer on June 11

2.05pm: Betty Clover, Breckenbrough

NB: Princess Child is in an early-closer on June 11

2.40pm: NONE

3.15pm: Almaty Star, Brazen Bolt, Counsel, Desert Cop, Dream Composer, Francisco’s Piece, Golden Long, Marching Mac, Michaela’s Boy, Partisan Hero, Rhythm N Hooves, Rogue Enforcer, Seven Questions, Star Chorus, Stormy Impact, Sturlasson, The Bell Conductor, Vintage Clarets

4pm: Endorsement, Proposition (both in at Leopardstown on Thursday)

4.40pm: Folk Pageant, Hell Yeah He Did, Lake Como, My Mate Roger, Tai Hang Pegasus (Thu entry), Tailgunner Joe