Oli Bell previews the feature action at Epsom this weekend

In this week's column I'm going to look ahead to an excellent weekend's racing from Epsom and detail reasons why I’m going to be backing a horse in the Investec Derby at a massive price! More on that in a moment but before that…

I hope you can join us for all the build up on The Opening Show which this week will be on ITV's main channel at 9.25am on Saturday morning with our special guest, none other then three-time Derby winning jockey and weighing room legend Mick Kinane.

We've got a brilliant show lined up and I'll be joined by regulars Jason Weaver, Matt Chapman, Lucy Verasamy and Francesca Cumani. We'll also be hearing from trainer Mark Johnston on Derby hope and Dante Stakes winner Permian, plus plenty more of the day's big race riders and handlers.

The Investec Derby is the pinnacle of Flat racing. To be contested this weekend for the 238th time, it is steeped in history and, for me, it's one of my favourite race days of the year.

But who am I tipping for the big races? Take a look at my picks - and be prepared for a bit of a surprise in the biggest race of the card.

Saturday 1630 Investec Derby, 1m 4f 6y

Selection: I really really fancy one at a massive price!! Allow me to explain...

The horse in question is the Sylvester Kirk's son of Canford Cliffs, Salouen. Now this horse was fairly highly-tried as a two-year-old, having had nine starts but he achieved a hell of a lot despite only managing two wins. 

His last two runs as a juvenile were by far and away his best, having finished second to National Defense in the Group One Qatar Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere Grand Criterium on Arc day in October. He then finished third in the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster in his final outing last campaign. 

My selection is one of only three of the 19 horses lining up in the Derby who have been placed at the top level, with the other two being Best Solution and Capri, who were second and third on soft ground in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

In truth, not that many have raced in Group Ones but that further highlights the perception that perhaps this is not a vintage renewal in terms of quality. But the point is that while it is easy to write off Salouen's chance because he finished second on his return in this year's Feilden Stakes at Newmarket, he's proven that he's more than worthy of his place in the line-up from his two-year-old exploits with those excellent back-to-back efforts in elite company.

Indeed, he probably has some of the strongest form going into his three-year-old campaign and heads to this race being almost completely written off by the odds compilers.

Many will look at his reappearance run when he finished second behind Khalidi in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket and ask 'how can Salouen win a Derby?'. But there are two reasons why I think he will reverse recent indicators and be a player in the Classic.

Firstly, at Newmarket he looked like he would need a longer trip. His dam, Gali Gal, is by Galieo and he's a full brother to the mile-and-a-half winner Masonbrook Lady (admittedly a fairly ordinary one). Salouen's half brothers include the fairly useful French 1m 5f winner Madernia and he’s also a half brother to two-mile hurdle victor Crafty Power so its almost guaranteed the extra furlongs wont inconvenience him.  

If anything, a step up in trip from 1m 1f at Newmarket to 1m 4f 6y at Epsom could be the making of this horse. As well as that, he looked to be in need of the run last time out. Having that reappearance run under his belt from nearly six weeks ago will put Salouen spot on for Saturday's showpiece.

Secondly - and to expand my point further - Salouen is officially rated 110. The current favourite Cracksman is rated 109, while the other horse towards the top of the market, Cliffs Of Moher, is 107 – according to the official handicapper, there is very little separating most of the runners in the race, yet the market would tell a different story. 

While this may be his first Derby runner, trainer Sylvester Kirk might not be used to the Derby, but he is a shrewd operator and absolutely would not be running this horse just for the day out. He also has a fabulous recent record at the track. 

If he was trained by a more high-profile trainer that was used to winning Classics, such as Aidan O'Brien or John Gosden, I'm firmly of the belief that Salouen would be half the price.

To conclude, this is a horse who is rated in and around the best in the race. He's twice proven himself in Group 1 company and he's a horse who on pedigree will definitely enjoy the trip. And yet, despite all that, he's still a massive price in what is a very open renewal of the Derby.

I would much rather back Salouen at a huge price than some of the market leaders who have as many questions to answer. It may be a quick way to the poor house but this year's Derby has the makings of ‘an upset’ and I'm sure Salouen isn’t there to make up the numbers. 

In second: Nearer the top of the market, the horse I like is Eminent, who again has really strong form. The run in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas last month disappointed connections, but he had a difficult draw and I think he will appreciate further.

The son of Frankel handled Epsom's track fantastically in his recent work at Breakfast With The Stars. He's Martyn Meade's first runner in the Derby and I think he has a great chance.

Finishing third: Venice Beach looked as though he learned a lot from his Chester experience in winning the MBNA Chester Vase and from Aidan O'Brien's string he is the horse I think offers the best value.

Investec Derby 1-2-3
1.Salouen 2. Eminent. 3. Venice Beach

Place your Investec Derby bets with Sky Bet - non-runner/no bet

Friday - 1630 Investec Oaks, 1m 4f 6y

Selection: I think Aidan O'Brien, who has dominated the Classics this year, will win another with the short-priced favourite Rhododendron.

She was arguably unlucky not to win the QIPCO 1000 Guineas in May, with Ryan Moore quoted in a recent interview on RTE as saying he wouldn't have minded having another go to ride the race again. Nevertheless, she was beaten by a high-class filly in Winter and Rhodedendron looks as though she will like the step up in trip.

Quite simply, I think she will just be much better than her rivals.

In second: The horse to chase her home is Horseplay, who won the Tweenhills Pretty Polly stakes at Newmarket in good fashion and was another filly to catch the eye in the pre-Derby warm-ups.

In-form trainer Andrew Balding was bullish about her following work at Breakfast With The Stars and he knows exactly what it takes to win the Oaks having triumphed with Casual Look in 2003.

Finishing third: While Daddys Lil Darling might not quite be good enough to win, it would be great to see her first past the post for her charismatic trainer Kenny McPeek, who has really embraced this challenge.

He has been both incredibly informative and fun with his regular social media updates, and it would be great to see his filly run well.

Investec Oaks selections
1. Rhodedendron 2. Horseplay 3. Daddys Lil Darling

Bet on the Investec Oaks with Sky Bet

Other notable races

Friday 1545 Investec Coronation Cup, 1m 4f 6y

Selection: The Coronation Cup has been moved to the Friday this year and Journey is the horse of interest for me, with John Gosden and Frankie Dettori.

She's won her last three starts, including on Champions' Day at Ascot last October when she so impressively took the QIPCO British Champions Fillies and Mares stakes, four lengths ahead of Speedy Boarding.

If she can pick up from where she left off she will be there or thereabouts.

Saturday 1545 Investec Corporate Banking 'Dash' Handicap, 5f

Selection: One of the punting highlights of the meeting is the Dash - and it can often be a bit of a lottery.

Duke of Firenze is a fast finisher who won this race in 2013 and has hit the straps again, as he showed when winning at York last time out on ground that wasn't ideal.

There's talk of him being a Nunthorpe horse and I think he will prove he's up to a crack at Group races by winning here.