The “Epsom Dash” is back. The fastest five-furlong race in the world – at least for now.

There has been talk of a week-long Derby ‘Carnival’ which we reckon is a great idea, especially with the addition of a downhill five-furlong Group 1 race.

As of now, this Heritage Handicap is the quickest we’ve got on the calendar, though we expect things still to be on the soft side come Saturday afternoon.

Though it’s not a do or die type scenario, a draw up the stands rail or close enough to it is favoured, though odds and weight don’t bother us at all in this race.

Given all the metrics at hand, these are the six we took against the field: 

Main Contenders

Clarendon House 

Trainer Robert Cowell said this week that his Clarendon House only had one speed – fast. We agree.

The six-year-old is a big improver and is reaching a peak as a sprinter. He really is all speed, but he does it on different tracks and on various going types so he’s really giving us nothing to worry about.

With a big performance expected, you tend to rather start looking for things to hold him back but they are in short supply too. He’s drawn close to the stands rail, has Tom Marquand on board and has had a perfect break of 16 days since a taking win at the Dante Festival at York.

Since his gelding operation in the winter, Clarendon House has gone 114341 and has improved almost every time. He holds a massive chance.

Democracy Dilemma 

Rated 102, Democracy Dilemma is another classy sprinter representing Robert Cowell who really is great with such types.

A four-year-old gelding, this particular runner has been busy with 25 runs under his belt but he is improving just now.

A good ground win at Chester and a close-run thing on a sound surface at Windsor show him in a good light, while he also won on heavy last September. No matter the going, he should run a sound race under Rossa Ryan.

Dream Composer 

James Evans and Joe Leavy may be unfamiliar connections on these pages, but don’t be put off in any way by that.

Trainer Evans has this horse in good form, especially down at Goodwood, and can repeat his tricks here. He was second last time out on his second start under rider Leavy who claims five. He just failed last time and a sweet run through could pay off here.

Looking For Lynda 

Looking For Lynda is getting closer, isn’t badly handicapped, is trained by Karl Burke and is ridden by Hollie Doyle so all in all you’d think he has a great chance at a glance.

All of that is true, but we’re just not too keen on that draw in 1 (cue the field heading to that side). With luck, he could still be in with a chance.

Night On Earth 

We like the chances of Night On Earth at the odds. Ian Williams’ runner is drawn well and is in fine form having won over this course and distance in April (from Looking For Lynda) and finished fourth at Goodwood last time.

All is set for a big run, but with this horse being rated 86 we have to ask ourselves whether we think that a lighter weight is better, or whether class will out with the likes of Clarendon House.

Silky Wilkie 

Another for Karl Burke and another, like Clarendon House, for Middleham Park Racing.

Silky is a popular sprinter and it feels like he’s been around forever. He hasn’t, he’s only five, but this will be his 40th run and we pretty much know what he has to offer. He’s good, but maybe not as well handicapped as one or two others.

Summary

The big betting handicap and the prelim to the Derby itself which gets going at around 4.30.

It should be another cut and thrust race with all of the runners simply looking to burst out of the gates and go hell for leather down the straight. Yes, it could be soft underfoot, but this will still be a very quick race and we’re not looking for any sort of six-furlong type.

With that, we go for the all-out speed mentioned about CLARENDON HOUSE. He is creeping towards top level now and can yet get better. His speed figures on soft, in fact heavy ground, have proven that he doesn’t slow up much when the rain comes and he could be just too strong.

In behind Night On Earth looks decent value for each-way backers, just ahead of Democracy Dilemma in the pecking order.