Alex Hammond with her thoughts ahead of the Investec Derby Festival with tips in all the big races. Its a classic weekend at Epsom, who do you fancy to win the Investec Derby on Saturday and what do you make of this years race?The Derby this year may be open, but it doesnt mean its a weak race. There are a handful of colts in the line up that could be absolutely anything. At the time of writing we are unsure how the ground is likely to ride, but its sure to be good at best after rain midweek and thats probably the most trainers can hope for. US Army Ranger has been on the slide after the change in underfoot conditions, but he is the talking horse from Ballydoyle and it has been hard to ignore him for that reason alone. Aside from the chatter, he may have only just won the Chester Vase beating stable mate Port Douglas by a short head, but he wasnt disgraced and should have learned plenty for that run, which was only his second.He has the right pedigree for this test being a son of Galileo out of an Irish Oaks winner. So, his price is drifting because of the rain, but on all evidence he shouldnt mind some ease in the ground and I dont think there will be any excuses on that score. That said, he doesnt really excite me and I wont be backing him. Ive backed Port Douglas each way because Id kick myself if he runs into a place without me! Alex Hammond I mentioned Port Douglas and if you fancy US Army Ranger, you have to give this colt a chance of running well at almost three times the price. The 14/1 available with Sky Bet is the dangling carrot that tempts me to back him to finish in the three and I think you could do worse in an open race. He stays well and could make up into a Leger horse later in the season so dont be surprised to see him dictating the pace as a Ballydoyle third, fourth or even fifth string. He gave 4lbs to US Army Ranger at Chester and that puts him in here with a shout.Another of the runners that has been the subject of plenty of chat is Andre Fabres Cloth Of Stars. He takes the same route as the master trainers Pour Moi and created a favourable impression at the Breakfast With The Stars morning. Derby: A-Z Guide Investec Derby at Epsom: Guide to the runners and riders Yet another horse that further muddies an already murky picture is Sir Michael Stoutes Ulysses, who needs to improve to win this, but has plenty going for him. Another son of the mighty Galileo, he is out of 2007 Oaks winner Light Shift, so is also bred for the job. He was impressive in winning his maiden, and while he needs to step up to make his mark on the race, he is with a trainer unlikely to be tilting at windmills.Jim Bolger has been keen to give a good mention to his Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Moonlight Magic too and the step up to a mile and half should suit this son of Cape Cross who has a fairly regal pedigree on the dams side as she is a half sister to Sea The Stars and Galileo out of supermare Urban Sea.The ante-post favourite is now Dante winner Wings Of Desire at 4/1 with Sky Bet. Hes another colt that could be a superstar, but it has all happened quite fast as he didnt make his racecourse debut until April. Ive backed Port Douglas each way because Id kick myself if he runs into a place without me and I would like to see Ulysses find the necessary improvement to stamp his authority on the three-year-old colts division. He was impressive in winning his maiden, and while he needs to step up to make his mark on the race, hes with a trainer unlikely to be tilting at windmills. Alex on Ulysses There should be a classy line up of older horses over the Derby course and distance for the Investec Coronation Cup on Saturday, who wins this?Well, Postponed is 4/6 favourite with Sky Bet for the race to continue his winning run which goes back to his victory in the King George last summer and takes in the Prix Foy in September (both for Luca Cumani), followed by two wins at Meydan (for new trainer Roger Varian) including the Sheema Classic on his last start. The price doesnt appeal again though, so Ill be looking elsewhere.Can Aidan OBriens Found beat him? On her best form she certainly can as we saw when she took the scalp of Golden Horn in the Breeders Cup Turf last October. However, she was beaten when sent off odds on favourite for the Tattersalls Gold Cup a couple of weeks ago and will need to bounce back from that. She has had a busy few weeks, so for me its another of the females that Ill be siding with.Simple Verse reappeared with a promising run in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket, finishing second having to give weight to all of her rivals. Id expect her to improve for that run and she is a class act winning the Leger and the Champion Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot in October. Female or otherwise, she is one of the best middle distance horses around and its great to see her connections keep her in training as a four-year-old when it would have been an easier option to retire her to the paddocks after her Classic winning campaign last season. Im happy enough to back her at the 7/2 available with Sky Bet and hope she can beat the hot favourite with her weight allowance. Female or otherwise, she is one of the best middle distance horses around and its great to see her connections keep her in training as a four-year-old when it would have been an easier option to retire her to the paddocks. Alex on Simple Verse The Epsom Dash is a real spectacle and takes place over the fastest five furlongs in the world. The draw will play a big part, but who are you hoping will be allotted a handy berth on Saturday?A cavalry charge in the true sense of the word and a real lottery. Im not mad keen on betting in these types of races, but you are guaranteed a thrill if you are getting involved.Duke Of Firenze won this in 2013 for Sir Michael Stoute and is back for more at a track he acts well over. He seems to be enjoying life with David Griffiths who took over his training this season having bought him for just 16,000 guineas, he won a good handicap at York for him last time out and carries a penalty for that win.Last years winner Desert Law is back for more and is one of two in the race for Paul Midgley who does well with his sprinters and also has last years runner up Monsieur Joe amongst the entries. Those horses should be involved again. Harry Hurricane is also penalised for a York handicap win last time out.Roger Varians Maljaa looks a potential fly in the ointment for the seasoned sprinters. He is having just his 11th start in this race and could progress out of handicaps. He returned this season with a good effort at Chester (despite getting a bump turning into the home straight), has plenty of speed and given a decent draw he could run a big race. Hes a 10/1 shot with Sky Bet.There are some equally competitive handicaps over the two days racing on the Downs, can you highlight one horse that you hope can win one of them please?The ground on Wednesday afternoon was changed to soft, good to soft in places so it is unlikely to suit fast ground horses even if its dries considerably before Friday/Saturday. I refuse to give up on What About Carlo who is declared to run in Fridays 10 furlong handicap at 1435. Conditions will suit Eve Johnson Houghtons gelding perfectly and if he can jump off on terms he should run a big race; although a word of caution, the yard are without a winner for a while.Theres no doubt he has work to do to beat Dark Red, who has beaten him the last twice, but he loves Epsom and will pop up at some point and Ill be gutted if its without me, I do think I could be following him off a cliff though!Ill also be watching with interest to see how Dutch Uncle gets on when dropped back to a mile in the 1545 on Friday for in form trainer Ed Dunlop. On Friday the fillies line up in the Investec Oaks, the picture has looked less clear as race day approaches, who do you think will come out on top?Nine fillies are declared for the Oaks with Aidan OBriens 1000 Guineas winner Minding heading the betting. Theres no doubt she is the form horse in the race and on all known evidence she should take all the beating. She was beaten by Jet Setting in the Irish 1000 Guineas where a bang to the head in the stalls was given as a possible excuse. Whether that affected her greatly or not is almost irrelevant because her form is the strongest in Fridays line up and at her best the rest will struggle to beat her. Her price isnt really attractive though and I wont be backing her.Skiffle has been added to the field at a cost of £30,000 and she comes here having handled the cambers of Goodwood by winning the Height Of Fashion Stakes. She is pretty inexperienced, but should improve further for the step up to 12 furlongs. I can see why Charlie Appleby was keen for Sheikh Mohammed to add her to the field and she should run well.The horse Ill be having a little fun each way flutter on given the rain that has fallen, is Harlequeen, who is trained by Mick Channon. She finished 4th in the Musidora at York behind So Mi Dar, not beaten far, and if she settles a bit better could finish in the first three at a decent price (currently 20/1 with Sky Bet). I dont think shell be going back to Channons as a Classic winner, but neither so I think shes a no-hoper, she should stay 12 furlongs and will handle the ground if its on the soft side. Also See: Derby: A-Z Guide Live results service Full racecards Get Sky Sports Wholesale Salomon Shoes . 9. Price, heading to the 2014 Olympics for Canada, was named the First Star after posting wins in three starts with a 1.00 goals-against average and a .971 save percentage. Cheap Salomon Shoes Authentic Online . 1, meaning problems for the doping controls at both major international sports events next year. The World Anti-Doping Agency provisionally suspended the Moscow Antidoping Center on Sunday, saying its operations must improve or a six-month ban on the facilitys accreditation will be imposed. http://www.cheapsalomonshoes.com/ . -- The goal posts lying flat on the field, Arizonas fans lingered on the field, congregating around the locker room entrance nearly 30 minutes after rushing out of the stands. Cheap Salomon Shoes For Sale . PETERSBURG, Fla. Discount Salomon Shoes Store . He just needed to be his best twisting, turning acrobatic self. "I didnt need to be anybody else, I just needed to be myself and be aggressive," said Burks, who scored a career-high 34 points to spark the Utah Jazz to a 118-103 victory over the Denver Nuggets on Monday night. OAKLAND, Calif. -- On a night when the starters for both teams spent most of the night on the sideline, Seattle running back Thomas Rawls made a big statement by getting on the field for only a few plays.Rawls carried twice for 8 yards in his first game in more than eight months since breaking his ankle and the Seahawks finished the preseason by beating the Oakland Raiders 23-21 on Thursday night.The fact that he got in there for a few plays, he got knocked a couple times, its fantastic, coach Pete Carroll said. Its an incredible comeback. Hes worked so hard to get this done and Im just so happy for him.Ryan Robinson returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown and Troymaine Pope and Alex Collins ran for scores in the fourth quarter to lead the Seahawks to the win.But Rawls performance was the most noteworthy as he proved he is ready to play in the season opener on Sept. 11 and seize the starting job vacated when Marshawn Lynch retired.I think it was important a little bit. Maybe a confidence boost, Rawls said. Even if I didnt play I think I still would have been fine but Im glad I got a chance to get out here with my teammates and contribute.With most of Seattles starters only playing one series and the bulk of Oaklands first-stringers sitting out the entire game, there was little star power on the field.The first touchdown came early in the fourth quarter on the third turnover in a five-play span. After George Atkinson III and Trevone Boykin traded fumbles, Oakland rookie quarterback Connor Cook was pressured on a rollout. Robinson stepped in front of the pass and returned it for the score that made it 9-8.Thats completely on me, Cook said. I have to see that and ditch it. It has to be thrown at his feet or thrown out of bounds, dont try and be a hero.Oakland defensive lineman Denico Autry had a sack, five tackles for loss and a pass defensed. Autry also teamed with James Cowser to get pressure on Boykin in the end zone leading to an intentional grounding penalty that resulted in a safety and the only points in the first half.ANTHHEM PROTESTSeahawks cornerback Jeremy Lane joined Colin Kaepernicks national anthem protest.dddddddddddd Lane sat on the Seattle bench while the rest of his teammates stood during the anthem before the game. Lane said he did not tell any of his teammates of his plans before the game and that he will continue to do it until he feels justice has been served.I dont mean no disrespect toward anybody, but Im just standing behind what I believe, Lane said.ROOKIE WATCHSeahawks: Boykin was 7 for 15 for 72 yards passing as he showed a good ability to escape pressure and extend plays. He also ran for 24 yards on four carries.Raiders: Cook got his most extensive time of the preseason, coming in at the start of the second quarter in place of Matt McGloin. Cook went 15 for 30 for 145 yards and one interception.INJURY UPDATESeahawks: Rookie CB DeAndre Elliott was taken to the locker room on a cart in the second half with an undisclosed injury.Raiders: OL Austin Howard limped off the field in the second quarter after rolling his ankle and didnt return. Del Rio said he doesnt believe the injury is serious.POSITION BATTLESSeahawks: Garry Gilliam and JMarcus Webb rotated at right tackle as Seattle waits to determine who will start when the season begins.Raiders: Rookies DeAndre Washington and Jalen Richard once again got extensive time as they compete to be Latavius Murrays backup. Washington ran for 14 yards on 11 carries and caught four passes for 39 yards. Richard had three carries for 10 yards and one catch for 7 yards.QUOTABLESeahawks: I just like what hes doing and Im standing behind him, Lane said of his relationship with Kaepernick.Raiders: A little up and down. 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