Expert horse racing betting tips for w/c Saturday, June 6th 2026

It's another monster weekend of flat racing ahead of us with the Epsom Derby taking centre stage on Saturday, alongside the Coronation Cup.

As always, the Odds Now Punters Panel are on hand to mark your card on all the key action, with insight and wagers galore.

Introducing the Odds Now Horse Racing Punters Panel

Before we get stuck in, here’s a little bit more on the experts answering our key questions this week:

Adam Smith - A betting industry veteran, flat lover and one half of our Races Now double act.

Lee Jones - Racing trader at a leading bookmaker and well-respected judge in betting circles.

Harry Fowler - Another of Odds Now’s regular racing contributors, currently working in the industry.

Max Hansson - Long term Races Now fan, flat racing lover and celebrated his birthday this week

Only one place to start this week. Who wins the Derby?

AS: Item. His form is simply the best on offer from what we have seen this year. Benvenuto Cellini beat horses rated 100, 97, 101 and 98 at Chester. Meanwhile, Item was winning a Dante with 114, 110, 101 and 111 rated horses in his rear view mirror.

LJ: Benvenuto Cellini. Ballydoyle will set the race up for him perfectly, plus the ground and trip are perfect for him. People will soon realise that Coolmore breed the best horse at this distance by some margin.

MH: I’m against Benvenuto Cellini at the prices, I like Item – unbeaten, improving, beat some very good horses at York and 4/1 seems fair. I also like Bay Of Brilliance each way at 16s, who ran well on reappearance at Lingfield, could come on for that outing and has form on Good to Soft.

HF: There are many wanting to take the favourite Benvenuto Cellini on, but I am not one of those. The main concern people seem to have is ground but I think there’s a massive difference to heavy bottomless ground at Doncaster at the end of a 2-year-old season compared to facing soft ground when absolutely A1 for his main race of the campaign. The draw in 12 is not a worry either – wide at Epsom isn’t an issue and its even better that Action is on his outer to follow.

The Coronation Cup is also on the menu. What's your thinking for that one?

AS: I think Calandagan is good enough to overcome the much talked about Ballydoyle mafia. Yes, he was beaten in this race last year, but his form has gone to another level since. A brilliant horse and lets hope we see him in top form on Saturday.

LJ: As usual, this is going to be interesting with tactics and I can see Jan Brughuel once again getting the better of Calandagan.

MH: I think Jan Brueghel will repeat last year's success over Calandagan. Similar conditions, Ryan Moore onboard and we may see a repeat of Coolmore tactics from the French Derby, so Jan Brueghel at 3s represents a bet for me. I’m also going to have a play on Bay City Roller (not sure how yet); I just can’t have the price discrepancy between BCR and Lambourn/ Convergent.

HF: The more rain that falls, the more likely we aren’t to see Calandagan but he has been declared despite a big market drift. I think even if Calandagan does run, Aidan O’Brien’s three-strong team will do a job on him tactially and Jan Brueghel will win. Like last year, this is just a stepping stone for Calandagan against a race-fit rival that is top class in his own right as well.

Anything else taking your eye from the Epsom card?

AS: I really like Never So Brave generally and would be pretty confident he can win the opener on Saturday. 13/8 is about right, so at that price I'll be including him in my multiples.

LJ: Celeborn should go very close in the World Pool Handicap (4:40pm Friday).

MH: In The John of Gaunt Stakes (1.30pm), I am going to take a chance on last year's winner Ten Bob Tony at 7/1, can put a line through his last run and I think he will appreciate any rain that comes. Then, in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes (2.05pm), I fancy Sparks Fly, who ran well in this last year and could go even better this time. I would also chuck some small change on Princess Child who runs for Joseph O’Brien and could outrun her odds at 16/1.

HF: In the Lester Piggott handicap at 4:40pm, I think Hell Yeah He Did looks a strong contender. He is proven on soft ground which can’t be said for many in the field and this looks his optimal trip. He had one try at this distance on his penultimate start last season and it was a steadily-ran affair that didn’t see him to best effect. He then on his last run of the season went down to a mile and showed a great attitude to beat a horse now rated 89.

READ MORE: Check out our new 2026 World Cup Betting Podcast

Any other bets taking your eye this weekend?

AS: Nothing on Saturday. But I am keeping a very keen eye on the prices for the 3:35 at Goodwood on Sunday where Rose Ghaiyyath is of major interest. I think she's a good horse in the making and a mile in the Guineas was nowhere near enough of a stamina test for her.

LJ: No, though I'm sure SD will have Hexham covered on his Daily Tips.

MH: It's my birthday on Thursday, so I'm waiting until Friday to have a proper look at the Doncaster and Musselburgh cards!

HF: Surely Magic Basma should be winning the Fillies Listed race at Musselburgh (15:28)? She has been running well in many a listed race. Her effort at Ascot at this trip was positive considering that was also on soft ground which probably stretched her enough. Decent ground over this trip in what looks a weaker affair than she has been contesting, I think she wins.

What did you make of Constitution River winning the French Derby?

AS: Never underestimate the potential for Ballydoyle tactical domination. Constitution River got the job done, fair play to him. I'm still not sure if he is as good as the hype though. We will find out as the summer progresses. I can certainly see both stablemates Montreal and Hawk Mountain going close in individual Group 1s this season, too.

LJ: He is pretty good horse but he will never race over further than ten furlongs, and could even race over a mile later this season. Don't give up on Montreal either. If he is given more economical ride, he could be just as good as the winner.

MH: In terms of planning, execution and riding skill, it was a masterpiece. I think Constitution River was the best horse in the race, but do I think he would have won from that draw without the other two O'Brien horses in there? Possibly not. Away from the winner, I think Montreal and Hawk Mountain both look like very good horses, and I thought Alam ran a cracker from out the back – I would be interested in backing that one next time out.

HF: Aidan O’Brien can do not wrong! He’s looked very good in both his runs this year. I am really hoping he is a monster. You go through all the winners of that race Aidan has had and they all have an inside stall. So to do what he did was brilliant, obviously.

To finish, give us a horse you have your eye on to back next time out?

AS: I've tipped Heavenley Heather for the King Charles III at 200/1. That was clearly very speculative. She is more likely to run in the Wokingham off 92. But she ran a massive race at York and is clearly a horse on the up, so she is on my radar.

LJ: Watch the Hunt Cup from last year and keep an eye on Blue Brother. He has been laid out for the Hunt Cup again, clearly.

MH: Off the top of my head, at Pontefract on Tuesday, I backed Boleto for Clive Cox who won a maiden from a wide draw, while also doing a lot wrong. I think there could be even more to come from that one.

HF: It’s quite hard to say. I like Take Charge Star who is a nice horse over in Ireland. He was pitched in at the deep end last time in the Irish 1000 Guineas following an unlucky run in a listed race at the Curragh. It all depends on what the race is but he can win a listed race, for sure. One with a race in mind, I like Ten Pounds for the Wokingham at Royal Ascot. He looks to be going into that race off the same mark as when third last year behind More Thunder, who has been pretty good since.