With last week’s Scoop6 bonanza finally being claimed, the focus switches to a quieter weekend for Horse Racing, with 6 racing meetings being staged across the country.

The Scoop6 was finally claimed last Saturday in the 3.45 at Haydock with 8 winning tickets being placed on Chatez out of the 122 tickets that had managed to make their way through the 6 races of the day.

The 8 winners shared the win fund of £10,740,796, each claiming £1,342,599.47. The 8 winners will all have a shot at claiming a share of the bonus fund of £5,481,763 by selecting the winner of Saturday’s 2.50 race at York.

With the 2-day Epsom Derby meeting next week, there was a “Breakfast with the Stars” morning on the Downs on Thursday where horses, trainers and jockeys alike visited the racecourse to get a run on the surface.

The big news from there was trainer Aidan O’Brien stating that he would prefer his big hope Australia to not have to contend with softer ground.

Australia is a horse bred from 2 past Epsom heroes in Galileo and Ouija Board, so the pedigree would suggest he will handle the variations of Epsom and O’Brien has proclaimed the horse as one of his best ever, though in fairness, he does that every year!!

The horse has weakened in the market since his comments on Thursday and is now 11/10 but remains a heavy favourite for success on Saturday week.

Early selection for the Investec Derby:

Kingston Hill – 14/1 – The horse may not have stuck out in the fast-run 2000 Guineas or a big-name Trainer, but Roger Varian is destined for the top and Kingston Hill is more than capable of causing a surprise and will enjoy the softened ground.

Channel 4 TV Tips:

York 1.50 – Sirius Prospect

Haydock 2.05 - Astonishing

York 2.20 – First Mohican

Haydock 2.40 - Eton Forever

York 2.50 – Monsieur Joe

Newmarket 3.00 – Don’t Bother Me

Haydock 3.15 - Eton Rifles

Newmarket 3.35 – Rye House

Haydock 3.50 - Parbold

Newmarket 1.55 - Peacock; 4.05 Spellbind; 5.15 Eagle Rock e/w

Chester - 2.00 -  Baitha Alga; 2.30 - Royal Rascal; 3.05 - Purcell; 4.50 - Storm Force Ten