Horse racing tips: Top ante-post tips for the Derby and Oaks at Epsom racecourse

YOUNG Rascal can be the king of the castle in the Derby.

The William Haggas-trained colt entered the reckoning for the Investec-sponsored Classic when overcoming trouble in running to win the Chester Vase on his most recent outing, a race which has proved a useful guide towards Epsom in recent seasons.

Last year’s 40-1 shock winner of the Derby, Wings Of Eagles, ran second at Chester before going one better at Epsom, while Ruler Of The World completed the double in 2013.

Young Rascal, who is owned by Investec boss Bernard Kantor, was denied a clear run on several occasions during the Chester Vase, with jockey James Doyle forced to bring him off the rail to deliver his challenge in the home straight.

Once in the clear, he picked up in taking style to overcome the reliable Dee Ex Bee, who gives the form a rock-solid look, with the favourite Hunting Horn unable to match the finishing kick of Young Rascal in third position.

The experience of the tight bends at the Roodee and carnival atmosphere of the Chester May Festival could prove vital to the colt’s chances when he lines up at Epsom on 2 June, while he was a far more decisive winner of the Vase than the winning margin of half-a-length would suggest.

He is prepared by a master in William Haggas, who was responsible for the 1996 Derby winner Shaamit, and his father Intello was also a Classic winner during his career when taking out the French Derby in 2013.

The odds-on favourite Saxon Warrior will be hard to beat, but Young Rascal could be up to the task and is a solid each-way punt at 12-1.

STARTERS ORDERS Fancy going to Royal Ascot? Here's all you need to know about the meeting

Bet with a clear conscience on the Oaks and take fancy prices about the exciting Perfect Clarity.

The unbeaten filly showcased her credentials for Classic glory when winning the Lingfield Oaks Trial in convincing fashion, in the process preserving her unbeaten record and booking her ticket to Epsom on 1 June.

The Clive Cox-trained three-year-old is by Nathaniel, whose daughter Enable won the Oaks last season at the start of a memorable run of victories at the Group 1 level.

While Perfect Clarity is light years away from reaching those heights at present, she could hardly have been more impressive when winning on her reappearance at the Surrey track, storming home from off the pace to beat some highly-regarded rivals by a length-and-a-quarter.

Among those she despatched was the Aidan O’Brien-trained Flattering, who won by 10 lengths on her previous outing, and the well-backed Cecchini, all this despite her jockey Adam Kirby dropping his whip at a vital stage in the race.

Lingfield bears a similar resemblance to the unique track at Epsom, where the runners swing downhill at high speed into the home straight, and the balance with which she cornered in the Trial will stand her in good stead come the big day.

She has stamina to burn and in a year without a standout filly in the field, she is worth keeping on side at 16-1.