Sean Levey Friday rides blog: 'I thought he ran an exceptional race'

Sean Levey shares his latest exclusive blog with Ladbrokes, previewing his rides on Friday, as well as giving his thoughts on the Epsom Derby, the Oaks and the Coronation Cup.

This weekend is a massive highlight in our year; the Derby is obviously one of the classics, and you're extremely lucky and in a very privileged position if you have what you'd refer to as a 'Derby horse'. It ranks right up there in its uniqueness. On the other side of the coin, look, in two weeks we're going to be going to Ascot, which you can't compare to anything really because that's five days of Group 1 racing. But the Derby stands alone, really, right up there for me. 

I've ridden in it a few times, and it's one of those races where it's extremely hard to get a mount with a live chance. You know, you get a lot of outsiders taking the Derby on with the hope they can run well in it. I haven't been privileged to have been given a horse that's been decent enough to win it, but I do work for a yard for who the Derby isn't quite their thing. 

Of course, there's a massive buzz, when you're out there with a minute to go until off-time. But that's because there's a massive build-up to that moment, when you think about the trials, which go on through quite a few major festivals leading up to the Derby, The build-up goes on for quite some time - not just for the horses and jockeys, but for the public as well - so you're buzzing when you're finally out there. It's always a massive turnout, and a really busy day... the atmosphere is right up there, for me. It's very exciting, I'm not going to say it's overwhelming but it's along those lines, because by off-time the pressure is definitely on. 

All of my rides in the Derby have been those outside rides, and the one that springs to mind - who actually won a trial leading up to it - would be my first Derby ride, Humphrey Bogart. He was a difficult horse who'd won a lot over a lot of trips, and stepping up for that trip would have been the furthest he'd gone at the time. I thought he ran an exceptional race and finished fifth (at 25/1) in what was, in 2016, a very difficult and competitive Derby.

Obviously, I don't have a ride in the Derby on Saturday, so I'll be watching it from the weighing room. For most jockeys, it's the best place because you can see everything from the weighing room, so we'll all be gathered around the TV watching the race. 

I don't know; Ruling Court is a difficult one - I listened to Martin Dwyer talking about him and I agree with him, I don't think he'll stay. When you look at the manner in which he won the Guineas, there's a massive question mark over whether or not he'll stay for Derby trip, especially going up against a horse like Delacroix, who definitely will stay and who looked quite exceptional in winning the trial leading up to this. 

I think I'd probably put Pride Of Aras ahead of Ruling Court, just because the Dante is a go-to trial for the Derby, and he was quite impressive in winning that. The Lion In Winter has a lot to prove after that Dante run, and then the rest are outsiders who have every right to compete, but would have to find quite a bit. Now, the Derby is one of those races where horses can potentially find quite a lot.

But the way I have it, I think Delacroix is a worthy favourite, I think there's a massive question mark over Ruling Court staying the trip, and I'd have Pride Of Aras in there with a massive chance - then I'd be leaning maybe towards Lambourn at a massive price, with the rest of the field having a lot to find. 

The step up in trip here will definitely suit Raakeb - last time out it looked like six furlongs was definitely what he needed going forward. The ground will be perfect here, but the only tricky aspect for him is the draw; 10 is never ideal. But he gave weight away to a very decent horse last time out and still ran respectively, so I'd imagine on those grounds he'd have a massive chance. 

Look, Calandagan is obviously going to be hard to beat because he's been exceptional for some time now. He was beaten last time out, but he looked like a horse who was definitely going to improve. Obviously, Jan Brueghel is a favourite of mine, and I'd be hoping he can also improve from his last run and show why he was a Leger winner.

I can't get away from the favourite in the Oaks, so if I was doubling Desert Flower up with anyone in the Coronation Cup, just for a bit of value, I'd put Jan Brueghel in there. I think the smaller field will definitely suit his style of running. All of Aidan's have shown improvement; since the last time Jan Brueghel ran, all of his horses have come on massively, and I'd imagine he'll be one of them. 

Looking at the Oaks, it's going to be extremely hard to beat Desert Flower, on form alone. I mean, even on ratings, they all have a hell of a lot to find to come close to her. Obviously, three of Aidan [O'Brien]'s are justified to be taking her on off the back of their Oaks Trial wins. Ryan [Moore] is siding with Minnie Hauk, who looked very workmanlike up at Chester, but she did look like a horse who would be more suited to a track like Epsom.

Whirl was a decent price when she won at York, but maybe wasn't expected to win as decisively as she did, so she shows that she's got a hell of a lot of ability there. She's definitely worth considering here. And then you've got Giselle who won convincingly at Lingfield, but who also looked like she'd enjoy a little bit more cut in the ground. She never really looked comfortable, even when winning there. But she's a big, strong filly who will definitely handle the track, and will enjoy an ease on the foot. I'm not sure about the rest; there's probably not much point in mentioning them!

Mr Baloo is one I've won on before. he's a very tough customer who ran really well to defy what I thought was top weight at Newmarket, which is a difficult task in the first place. The track and ground will suit him on Friday, and he's got a decent draw. The race is definitely set up for him to run a massive race here. It's a very open field with a few improving types, but Mr Baloo is more than holding his own.

Local Hero has taken a step in the right direction this year, moving his form off of the all-weather and onto the turf, which he hasn't been able to do before. I think he has the right characteristics for Epsom; he's a well-balanced horse with a lot of speed, and he does stay. With that alone, I'd be hoping he keeps on improving and putting his best foot forward.

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