The flagship two days in Britain’s Flat season are upon us with The Oaks and The Derby at Epsom on Friday and Saturday. Two days of thrilling action ahead on the famous Downs.
The fillies are centre stage on Day 1, the feature being the Cazoo Oaks (4.30pm) on a seven-race Epsom offering (2.00pm-5.40pm). Watch all the action unfold via live streaming when logged into MansionBet UK and check out below for our tipster’s selections on all Friday’s Epsom action.
2.00 – Cazoo Woodcote EBF Stakes (Conditions Race, 6f)
Dairerin is the standard-setter, Michael Bell’s colt only narrowly avoided making it 2-2 when he was second in a similar contest at Newbury three weeks ago. There’s more to come from him and he looks a key player. Raging, Flaming Rib and Oscula already know how to win and remain open to improvement but DUSKY PRINCE offers some value. Archie Watson’s charge was well backed on debut at Brighton in April and, after briefly looking outpaced, he really powered home to win going away. More to come from Hollie Doyle’s mount.
Selection: Dusky Prince @ 15/2
2.35 – Coral ‘beaten By A Length’ Free Bet Handicap (1m½f)
IRISH ADMIRAL created a good impression on his first start for William Haggas after arriving from Ireland, scoring on Wolverhampton’s all-weather over this trip in April. He looked set to follow up at York for a winning handicap bow 21 days ago but just failed to get home over further. Dropped in trip; he’s the one to focus on. Muraad had a thankless task in an Ascot Listed race on seasonal bow and the Glorious Goodwood winner from last summer should outrun his price here.
Selection: Irish Admiral @ 7/4
3.10 – Coral Coronation Cup (Group 1, 1m4f)
Al Aasy has won successive Newbury Group 3s this season over this trip in supreme style and will be fancied by many to keep on that progress now in elite company. William Haggas’ charge is thriving and a massive danger but the odds are short. Brothers Japan and Mogul are dangers in a race Aidan O’Brien has won eight times in 16 years but ALBAFLORA is given a chance. Ralph Beckett’s filly was very good at Ascot on her return and gets Frankie Dettori for company now. She should have no worries at all on this faster ground and perhaps the market is underestimating her chance.
Selection: Albaflora @ 11/1
3.45 – Cazoo Handicap (1m2f)
Blue Cup remains one that should have more to offer and is hugely respected, while Dream With Me is really pushing forward now and could grab yet another win. VICTORY CHIME’s aggressive style of racing pays off here and despite a 4lb rise for last month’s win, he might be able to make it 3-3 over C&D. HMS President and Waters Edge are well matched on Windsor form and the latter is a lively outsider who should be finishing off as well as anything.
Selection: Victory Chime @ 6/1
4.30 – Cazoo Oaks (Fillies’ Group 1, 1m4f)
Santa Barbara didn’t quite live up to the hype in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket but, on just her second start, that close-up fourth was hugely promising and she should be right at home over this extra half-mile now. She is the right favourite for a trainer with a cracking recent record in The Oaks.
Stablemate Snowfall is a player too under Frankie Dettori after her Musidora win at York, though she was allowed to dictate that race. Cheshire Oaks first and second, DUBAI FOUNTAIN and Zeyaadah are massive contenders too on paper.
Both will come on for that first run back. The latter was finishing well and had won all three starts previous to that, while she’s now 3lb better off. Mark Johnston’s filly however is a fair price. She relished the increased trip at Chester and won’t mind this faster surface. Her trainer has never won The Oaks but he’s got a really solid contender here.
Selection: Dubai Fountain @ 12/1
5.10 – Play Coral ‘Racing-Super-Series’ For Free Surrey Stakes (Listed, 7f)
MEHMENTO finished second behind Chindit in the Greenham at Newbury in April, a really smart piece of form, and his subsequent Group 1 flop in France is easily enough forgiven as it came on heavy ground. He’s dropped in class/trip and looks to hold first-rate claims. Last-time-out Goodwood Conditions race second Legal Attack is capable of a challenge with first-time cheekpieces deployed.
Selection: Mehmento @ 6/4
5.40 – Cazoo Derby Festival Handicap (7f)
A really competitive finale. Above has been gelded since last spotted and might do better, but a trio of last-time-out winners are feared in Dulas, Paws For Thought and RHOSCOLYN. David O’Meara’s Goodwood winner is fancied to emerge best. He posted a faster time than Dulas over the same C&D last month and the three-year-old showed he doesn’t need to front run. James Doyle’s mount could be well treated again.
Selection: Rhoscolyn @ 9/2
*All odds correct at time of writing