3 minutes Below I’ll preview the race and give you my tip to land the big prize at this unique Epsom track.
The Oaks is our feature race today with Desert Flower looking to extend her unbeaten run and go back to back in the first two fillies Classics of the season. Seven of the last ten runnings have been won by the Irish, with Aiden O'Brien accounting for six of those whilst only John Gosden (with three wins) has broken the Irish dominance.
Below I’ll preview the race and give you my tip to land the big prize at this unique Epsom track.
1m4f (1m4f6y) Betfred Oaks (Group 1) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo)
The Unbeaten Favourite
Seeking a Classic double for Charlie Appleby and William Buick is the unbeaten Desert Flower (5/4). She is the clear ratings pick and has thwarted all rivals thus far. The further they went in the Guineas the more impressive she looked and despite her pedigree suggesting she may not get this far, her star quality may help get her over the line.
The O'Brien Trio
If anything is to deny the favourite the likelihood is that it will come from the Aiden O'Brien yard. He saddles the next three in the market spearheaded by the Ryan Moore-ridden Minnie Hauk (4/1) who claimed the Cheshire Oaks last time at Chester. This is probably the best piece of form in the field we have seen for a filly over this middle distance. There's been a bit of money around for her which could prove significant.
Whirl (5/1) runs in the Michael Tabor and John Magnier silks who have won this race seven previous times with ‘Tuesday’ being the latest winner in 2022. She put a poor reappearance effort well behind her when landing the Musidora at York last time when powering clear three furlongs out and winning as she liked. There is every chance to think she can raise her game again and has place prospects.
Giselle (11/1) completes the O’Brien trio and it was only a three runner trial she won at Lingfield last time albeit could only beat what was in front of her that day. Did it well enough and showed the trip poses no problem to her. With the possibility of more improvement to come from others she's looked over in this.
Others of Note
Revoir (9/1) is an interesting contender having only had the two starts. She showed her inexperience in a Listed race in the latter of the two when going down very narrowly to Qilin Queen (33/1). The combination of Ralph Beckett and Rossa Ryan are always a combination to watch and she looks to have a lot of potential over the new trip on her third start.
Elwateen (11/1) is another only having her third start and showed up prominently in the Guineas to finish fourth. On reflection that was a seriously good effort on her first start of the season and seeks to be the first winner of this in the Shadwell silks since Taghrooda in 2014.
John Gosden has a fine record in this however it appears he will need a magic wand to get Go Go Boots (50/1) competitive in this. She was over six lengths behind Whirl last time with no obvious reason to turn the form around.
Analysis
Desert Flower has won her five races by an aggregate of over 17 lengths and has looked a bit special but there is a nagging doubt about her ability to handle this extra yardage based on pedigree. She will be short in the betting so we'll have a speculative shout on ELWATEEN who, only having two starts, still has plenty more to offer and may see out the extra yardage better. Aiden O’Brien's yard has to be respected and Minnie Hauk looks to have the best chance of his three runners.
Selection: Elwateen
