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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 Al Tucker Jersey . -- Hunter Smith scored the winner with just 12 seconds remaining in the third period as the Oshawa Generals edged the host Sarnia Sting 5-4 on Friday in Ontario Hockey League action. Detlef Schrempf Jersey . Jon Montgomerys gold medal in skeleton at the Whistler Sliding Centre and his subsequent auctioning off of a pitcher of beer in the village square elevated him to folk-hero status. https://www.supersonicsjerseys.com/460s-fred-brown-jersey-supersonics.html . MLS Commissioner Don Garber and Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Gimenez also will attend the session, which was announced Monday. The league has discussed placing its next two expansion teams in Miami and Atlanta. Brent Barry Jersey .Y. -- Injured Buffalo Sabres forward Marcus Foligno did not practice with the team Monday and head coach Ron Rolston said its unlikely hell play in Wednesdays season opener in Detroit. Tom Chambers Jersey . Marincin has played in two NHL games so far this season with two penalty minutes. The 21-year-old has three goals, four assists and a plus-5 rating in 24 games with the American Hockey Leagues Oklahoma City Barons this season.STATE COLLEGE, Pa. -- The NCAA asked a Pennsylvania court on Tuesday to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the family of the late coach Joe Paterno that seeks to overturn the sanctions against Penn State for the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. Some trustees, former players and coaches and current faculty members are also taking part in the same lawsuit, which the NCAA said was flawed and contained "various significant legal deficiencies." College sports governing body said in the filing in Centre County court late Tuesday that the civil suit must be dismissed in part because the university itself isnt part of the suit. The sanctions handed down in July 2012 were agreed to by the NCAA and the university president. The NCAA also firmly denied a claim that it had conspired with former FBI director Louis Freehs team in formulating the sanctions. Freeh led the schools internal investigation into the scandal, and the Paterno family and three former school officials have vehemently denied Freehs scathing allegations of a coverup. "Their suit complains primarily about the conclusions of the Freeh Report, conducted at the behest of the Penn State Board, and the universitys acceptance of its findings," NCAA chief legal officer Donald Remy said in a statement outlining the organizations arguments. "The NCAA did not commission the Freeh Report nor had any role in it. It was the NCAAs first response to the case since the lawsuit was filed in late May. The NCAA also asked for related complaints against NCAA president Mark Emmert and Oregon State president Ed Ray to be dismissed for lack of merit. Ray was chair of the NCAA executive committee when the penalties were announced. "Universities must be free to manage their own affairs, including their membership in the NCAA, without interference by disappointed or disgruntled individuals," Remy said. "While the plaintiffs may be unhappy with the conclusions and universitys acceptance of the Freeh Report, the plaintiffs in this case were not sanctioned by the NCAA and have no legal basis to sue." Paul Kelly, a lawyer representing the plaintiffs other than the Paterno family, said Tuesday he had not a chance yet to review the NCAAs lengthy response. The landmark sancttions were announced a year ago Tuesday, on July 23, 2012.dddddddddddd They included a four-year bowl ban, steep scholarship cuts and a $60 million fine. The penalties, and the NCAAs handling of the Penn State case, remain the subject of scrutiny among some alumni, area residents and Pennsylvania politicians, as well as in the courts. Earlier Tuesday, three trustees who took seats earlier this month offered support for the five board colleagues involved in the litigation. The suit said that the NCAA bypassed the organizations own rules in levying penalties against the football program with uncharacteristic speed. The lawsuit also attacks Freehs handling of the internal investigation, along with how and why the NCAA used Freehs report as a basis for sanctions. "We firmly believe that truth and justice should never fear an open hearing and review -- whether in the courts or before the Board of Trustees," trustees Ted Brown, Barbara Doran and William Oldsey said in their joint statement. The alumni-elected trustees elected this spring were endorsed by an alumni watchdog group that has been critical of the decisions of board leaders after the scandal began with Sanduskys arrest in November 2011, including Paternos firing. The NCAA filing came on the same day that Penn State issued a statement on bowl revenue. The schools nearly $2.3 million share of bowl revenue has been divided among the Big Tens 12 member schools, including Penn State, to distribute for causes focused on child protection or advocacy. The school said the individual share for each school amounted to more than $188,000. The Nittany Lions finished the 2012 season bowl-eligible at 8-4, but were banned from the post-season as part of NCAA sanctions for the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal. The $2.3 million represents Penn States share of conference bowl revenue had the school been allowed to play in the post-season. Penn State said its portion of the carved-up bowl share would be funneled through the Centre County United Way with instructions to split the money between the Stewards of Children program and the Childrens Advocacy Center. Coach Bill OBrien and three players are scheduled to take part in Big Ten media days beginning Wednesday in Chicago. ' ' '