SD's Racing Ramble: Derby disappointment, a make-believe tricast and four fantastic ticket offers

Having amassed a loyal following on our Races Now YouTube channel thanks to a combination of outstanding tipping and forthright opinions, the inimitable 'SD' now brings his strong views to OddsNow.com via his regular column – the Racing Ramble!

This week's edition takes a look back at the Derby meeting, a tipping controversey and some useful money-saving pointers for racegoers.

Did you enjoy the Derby? I didn’t.

I thought the winner was an old boat beforehand. I still think he’s a boat, albeit a slightly quicker one than last week.

The fractions Wayne Lordan set were perfect, in a race full of slaloming participants down the hill, non-stayers and those ridden from another parish in Surrey. Time will probably show he’s not the best horse in the race.

The Oaks was slightly better, although it hardly set the pulse racing. The Coronation Cup demonstrated that Ryan is the GOAT, as they say – as did his ride on Persica in the Diomed.

Persica as a horse interests me greatly, in that he has a lot of class.

Giving Docklands weight here and showing a liking for turns and cambers, he won well with the main man on board. He is not in the Sussex, something of a surprise, but a soft ground QEII could suit.

The tricast that never was

And then there was Kevin Blake on ITV.

I must point out it was a fantastic achievement to pick the first, third and second. But the bet (a 'tricast') was technically a loser.

The plaudits that followed could have been caveated on how close he came. Instead they went off on tangents about Trifectas being up and tricast dividends quoted.

One bookmaker representative, who is a complete loser and it usually pays to think the complete opposite of, led the waxing lyrical. Some drunken never been hurled profanities on twitter which exposed him for what he was.

The reaction wasn’t Kevin’s fault. He did well. Inches away from a perfect result – but if my Aunty had balls, she’d be my uncle.

Go racing for less

I must point you to going racing the rest of the month and the deals available to those booking in advance.

All ARC tracks have 40% off for basically every remaining fixture for the rest of 2025. Details here https://www.arenaracingcompany.co.uk/offers/at-the-races

Nottingham have £9 fixtures https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/nottingham/

Hexham remains £12 in advance for all meetings https://hexham-racecourse.co.uk/racedays

Ascot have 2 for 1 days if going via the chuffer https://www.daysoutguide.co.uk/ascot-racecourse

In a sport that so often prices itself out for the working man, it's only right to highlight the good bits too.

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