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Epsom
Oaks Day at Epsom: Big race preview, 20/1 outsider and Irish raiders to follow
We have lots to look forward to this weekend and Epsom‘s Derby Festival kicks off on Friday. Our main event on Day 1 is obviously the Oaks, so we’ve previewed the main event. There are several intriguing Irish raiders across the card at Epsom and we’ve also selected a 20/1 outsider with a big chance. Take a look at our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
The Gosdens and O’Brien to clash again
Nine runners have been declared for the Oaks this year and the market suggests the winner is likely to come from the Gosdens’ yard or Ballydoyle. That’s a reasonable assumption to make on the grounds that they have won nine of the last 10 renewals between them and both have outstanding candidates.
Amelia Earhart warmed up for this race with an impressive victory in the Cheshire Oaks at Chester last time out and Ryan Moore has picked her over two stablemates. Legacy Link was a game winner of the Musidora last time out and that race has proved to be a good trial in recent history.
Joseph O’Brien’s Thundering On won a Group 3 at Navan impressively in April and looks ready to compete at this level on that evidence. Cameo is another Ballydoyle runner and she won the Oaks trial at Lingfield last time, whilst Sugar Island is the likely pace angle.
Oaks outsider
Sugar Island (20/1, Bet365) is Aidan O’Brien’s third string according to the jockey bookings and she’s likely to make the pace with that in mind. It’s possible that this daughter of Dubawi won’t be caught from the front, if given too soft a lead in the early stages. She’s no mug and brings some good form to the table, winning a Group 3 on heavy ground, and it would be dangerous to rule her out.
Irish raiders alert
Rosie Frith represents the Patrick Magee yard and she runs in the opening 5f sprint for three-year-olds. She won a nursery at Dundalk at the back end of last season and will improve from her last run.
Amelia Earhart is the most interesting of the Irish-trained runners in the Oaks and she scored by two lengths in a Listed contest at Chester. This filly looks like a proper Oaks type.
Greek Mythology bolted up on debut at Dundalk in December and wasn’t beaten far in a warm Listed contest over this trip at Naas last month. He’s entitled to be in the mix here.
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