Epsom Oaks Tips – CopyBet
The Oaks at Epsom on Friday is Britain’s third Classic of the season and the highlight on day one of two major afternoons on the famous Surrey Downs.
The unbeaten Desert Flower will face eight rivals in The Oaks in her attempt to complete a Classic double, following her success in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last month for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin.
This race is the one piece of the Classic jigsaw Appleby remains in pursuit of and the filly must prove her stamina if she’s to add the missing link.
Our expert picks out his NAP and Next Best for Friday’s Oaks at Epsom, with the O’Brien dynasty fancied to have a major say in proceedings, though perhaps not from the expected sources.
Desert Flower has a stamina concern
Desert Flower maintained her perfect record in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last month and was a strong stayer at the mile, but her pedigree doesn’t scream of a filly wanting this extra trip.
Her sire, Night Of Thunder, was a non-stayer on his only attempt at 1m2f and there has to be some concern for the Godolphin trainer that something similar might play out now.
Wild Illusion, Dance Sequence and Skiffle are three Appleby-trained Oaks runners from the past that have failed to see the trip out as desired.
Desert Flower will have to prove her staying power and, at around 11/8, is worth taking on in the belief this might not be optimal.
The only Oaks horse rated higher than WHIRL (110) is Desert Flower (117), with the Wootton Bassett filly earning that mark following her win in last month’s Musidora Stakes at York.
She was always handy in that Knavesmire Group 3 and made short work of five rivals, including re-opposing Go Go Boots, to win by 5½-lengths.
She’d signed off last season winning a Doncaster maiden then a Group 3 at the Curragh, but looked ready for the step up in trip on her comeback.
So it was to prove, as she put in an impressive display on the Knavesmire in a race that has been won by the subsequent Oaks scorer twice in the last four years.
Wayne Lordan picks up the ride here after Ryan Moore elected to stick with Chester winner Minnie Hauk.
Seamie Heffernan, Colm O’Donoghue, Donnacha O’Brien and Frankie Dettori have all won the Oaks for Ballydoyle since 2012, none on a perceived first string.
This filly has plenty going for her and the step up in trip looks to be amongst the positives.
Aidan O’Brien’s apparent first string is MINNIE HAUK, with Ryan Moore on board the Chester Vase winner.
Winner of a Leopardstown maiden over a mile on her second and final start at two, she was beautifully prepared for a comeback in the Chester Vase and ran out a convincing winner on the Roodee with her strong finish over that extended trip.
That she handled the quirky Chester layout bodes well for coming to Epsom and Moore has pinned his colours to the mast. There’s more to come and her stamina is essentially proven.
Joseph O’Brien could give his father something to think about with WEMIGHTAKEDLONGWAY.
The Australia filly ran a solid race on her comeback at Leopardstown in March when fifth behind the now Derby-favourite Delacroix.
That form is red-hot and in one outing since she ran out a convincing winner of the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes at Naas over a mile-and-a-quarter against her own sex.
She is another that could make more progress at this new trip and she’s interesting at a big price under Dylan McMonagle.
18+. UK residents only. Betting tips are for entertainment purposes only and reflect the author’s opinion.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change. No guarantees of outcomes. Please gamble responsibly.
Support available via BeGambleAware.org, GamCare.org.uk, and GAMSTOP.co.uk. T&Cs apply.
