Timeform 1-2-3 
/ Adam Brookes / 20 April 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Jamie Spencer rides two of today's best bets.
"Michael Bell’s Sunny Game failed to see a racecourse as a juvenile, but made up for it with a generally progressive campaign last year, impressing in defeat on several occasions."
With four winners from the last six selections in this column, the pressure is on to not let the side down. However, three horses stand out at Epsom today so here's hoping the trend continues.
The meeting begins with what is sure to be a lightning-fast sprint, but, hopefully, one in which David Barron's Archers Road can emerge victorious. Archers Road's seasonal debut last year saw him win a Chester handicap off a 2 lb higher mark, suggesting he's well-treated today and with a favourable high draw, top course jockey Ryan Moore should be able to position him just in behind the leaders before pouncing close home. The only slight reservation would be the fact that Archers Road has produced his two best performances on ground softer than good, leaving a question mark over his effectiveness on drying conditions. However, he has twice run close to that level on going similar to today's so hopefully it won't be an issue. Stablemate Beat The Bell will be a big danger after his encouraging third last time, whilst the incredibly quick Silaah should be difficult to catch if he can negate a tricky draw.
Michael Bell's Sunny Game failed to see a racecourse as a juvenile, but made up for it with a generally progressive campaign last year, impressing in defeat on several occasions. Sunny Game went down in many a notebook (including our own Fifty to Follow) when an unlucky-in-running fifth in a hot handicap at Doncaster on his final outing and he's expected to improve upon that this season, which means an official rating of 82 could underestimate his ability. Regarding ground conditions, his most disappointing effort (after his debut) last year came on soft ground, so it's hoped that today's conditions will be much more to his liking. It has to be said that likely dangers are numerous, including potential improvers Harlestone Times and Zigato, however, it could just be that they have to give way to Sunny Game today.
Whilst there won't be a Derby winner emerging from the Derby Trial, the handful of horses contesting the race are sure to win their share of races, most notably Weapon of Choice, who also caught the eye last year and looks set to appreciate the step up in distance. Weapon of Choice made a highly promising start to his career, comfortably taking a Goodwood maiden on his second run before being pitched into listed company on his final outing. However, although disappointing in that race at Pontefract, he was fractious in the preliminaries and seemed to ruin all chance by running too freely and he has to be given another chance.
Recommendations
Back Archers Road @ [6.2] Epsom 14:00
Back Sunny Game @ [5.6] Epsom 14:35
Back Weapon of Choice @ [4.8] Epsom 15:10
A faultless three out of three for Dom Finn yesterday, let's try and keep the good run going....
A couple of bets from Redcar and one from Windsor, on a relatively quiet Monday....
Two bets at Wetherby today, where Timeform Betfair Racing Club horse Red Merlin will also hopefully give us something to shout about, whilst there's also a selection in the Hunter at Stratford......
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