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Today's best bets and the latest news in our daily horse racing blog

Vadamar heads for Derby after work-out

1.45pm: Vadamar was confirmed as an intended runner in the Derby after a work-out this morning. Vadamar was odds-on to beat Pour Moi in the Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud earlier this month, but could only finish third behind his fellow Epsom aspirant.

Georges Rimaud, the racing manager to his owner, the Aga Khan, admits the colt needs to progress, but recent homework prompted connections to have a tilt at the mile-and-a-half Classic. "We have decided to let him run. He worked well this morning, I am told," Rimaud said. "The horse has to improve, but we hope he can.

"Pour Moi is a good horse as well, obviously, but we believe Vadamar has the right to run."

The Queen's Carlton House headed 17 remaining colts for Saturday's Derby following today's confirmation stage. The colt shot to the head of the betting for the Epsom Classic with a superb effort in the Dante Stakes at York.

Aidan O'Brien looks set to unleash his usual strong challenge, with Dante runner-up Seville and Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Recital heading the Ballydoyle team. Memphis Tennessee, Treasure Beach and Roderic O'Connor also remain in the reckoning, although the latter is expected to contest Sunday's French Derby instead.

Ed Dunlop's 2,000 Guineas third Native Khan is another major player, while Godolphin's hopes appear to rest on Ocean War. Sheikh Mohammed's operation have also left in Casamento and Genius Beast, but other targets are preferred.

John Gosden is double handed at this stage with Masked Marvel and Nathaniel, while Andr� Fabre's Pour Moi is set to be joined on the trip from France by the Alain de Royer-Dupr�-trained Vadamar.

Castlemorris King, Marhaba Malyoon and Pisco Sour complete the possibles.

Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford reaffirmed Ocean War would be Godolphin's sole representative should things go to plan in the days leading up to the big race. He told At The Races: "We are very much leaning towards Ocean War as being our Derby contender with Casamento going for the Prix du Jockey Club and Genius Beast waiting for the King Edward [at Royal Ascot].

"All three have stayed in at the confirmation stage, that gives us a little more time as a precautionary measure in case we have to change our plans at the last minute, but as things stand that is what we'll do. Ocean War has done very well - he's unbeaten this season. What we like about him is his very tenacious attitude. We're pretty certain a mile and a half will suit him very well. We think a true-run race will help him and we expect to see him to do all his best work at the finish.

"On the book we know he's got plenty to find and he's got to improve a great deal on what's done so far, but he's done nothing but please us throughout the whole programme towards the Derby." Press Association

Today's best bets, by Tony Paley

Bank holiday Mondays are not what they used to be and the days of guaranteed classy racing and regular terrestrial coverage are long gone but at least today we have a competitive Class Two handicap in the shape of the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar.

Mirrored (4.10), who looks sure to run a big race, is the runner who takes the eye in the 10-furlong event following a smooth victory in his comeback race at Doncaster last month. Breakheart has been the one for money this morning and Coral are offering a generous 8-1 about Mirrored.

The Tim Easterby recruit had already dropped 10lb in the ratings when joining the Malton trainer from Dandy Nicholls last year and fell further from his lofty heights in the ratings after a series of unplaced efforts in 2010.

Easterby revealed he had changed the horse's training regime over the winter and that clearly worked the oracle as Mirrored won with plenty in hand at Doncaster, weaving his way through the field from what looked an impossible position on the turn into the home straight.

The winner was raised 6lb for that win but on a handicap mark of 91 he is still 9lb lower than when running for Sir Michael Stoute as a three-year-old and finishing placed at Royal Ascot, Sandown's Eclipse meeting and Glorious Goodwood in much more exalted company than he faces today.

The selection always looked as if he would improve for a stiffer test of stamina than the mile trips he was regularly racing over then too and Easterby clearly has a very well handicapped horse on his hands.

Similar comments apply to Simple Jim (5.20), who has clearly been primed by the excellent David O'Meara to follow up his win last year in the race that concludes the racing at Redcar this afternoon.

The selection has run at distances short of his best so far this campaign but steps back up to his optimum trip today. Following his success in this event 12 months ago he went on to show improved form and won off a rating of 62 and returns here on 55, the same mark he won off in 2010.

Henry Candy, renowned for training sprinters, looks to have another useful speedster in Sluggsy Morant (2.40) who can follow up his Salisbury victory at Leicester. The son of Monsieur Bond won with something in hand that day and is expected to take this heat on his way to better things.