Epsom Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Derby Festival Oaks Day on Friday
The first day of the eagerly anticipated Derby Festival is finally here. Today’s eight-race card has the Group One Oaks as the headline race, supported by the Listed Surrey Stakes, the Group Three Diomed Stakes, the Woodcote Stakes, Nifty 50 handicap and three further handicaps.
Read on for a preview of and tips for the Epsom card, brought to you by BOYLE Sports, who provide all horse racing odds.
The action kicks off with the five-furlong Dash Handicap for two-year-olds (13.30). Alfa Duplicate, U S S Charleston and Wedonttelllies were all winners last time out, with U S S Charleston looking possibly the most likely to repeat the form, given five pounds by his rider. There is no guarantee that he will handle this track, though, therefore Coyy might be worth thinking about. Charmanfourtimes could go well having come down four pounds, while Naana’s Shadow has an eye-catching booking in Oisin Murphy.
Next is the Woodcote Stakes; a six-furlong race for two-year-olds (14.05). Plenty of the runners have already won a race, and this should be an exciting watch. Charlie Hills’ El Lambo won his race by the biggest margin – over four lengths – but has a tricky draw in 11. Rlasthope is worthy of some each-way interest, while George Boughey’s Havana Flash is an interesting debutant. WIld Terrain impressed on winning debut at Hamilton, and again the booking of Oisin Murphy is a potential indicator.
Race three is the extended mile Group Three Diomed Stakes (14.40). Karl Burke’s Boiling Point tops the ratings and won last time out in Listed company at Goodwood recently. He should handle this track well and is a serious contender. Seagulls Eleven equally should go well around Epsom and can handle some rain too. Chancellor has limited form on turf but won well on his debut on soft ground at Doncaster, so he could outrun his odds.
The Nifty 50 Handicap follows, run over 10 furlongs (15.15). Roger Varian’s Sallaal returned to action nicely over course and distance in April, but he is drawn wide here. Respond’s new mark needs to be proven today, whereas Alpha Crucis’ looks appealing. Let’s Dream steps up in class here and could have an each-way chance after a win at Chester in May.
In the afternoon’s feature race, the mile and a half Group One Oaks (16.00), Coolmore’s Amelia Earheart looks the likely favourite after winning the Cheshire Oaks at Chester in May. Charlie Johnston’s Venetian Lace tops the ratings and ran significantly better than expected in the 1,000 Guineas, finishing third, and she could run another solid race here. She is probably better on firmer ground, though. Cameo can go on softer ground, as can Thundering On, who could be worth thinking about.
An extended mile handicap is next (16.40). Celeborn is a useful sort who could be of interest in first-time cheekpieces after a midfield finish last time, while Stem can act on any ground and stays on a competitive enough mark to get involved here. It’s worth looking out for Man Of La Mancha, while Walsingham could prove to be overpriced for David O’Meara.
Second to last is the Listed Surrey Stakes, run over seven furlongs (17.15). This looks a reasonably open race, but Joseph O’Brien’s Irish raider Greek Mythology could be an interesting one to side with. He has won on the all-weather and is still relatively unexposed on turd, but has placed on both starts on that surface so far.
Finally, racing concludes with a seven-furlong handicap (17.50). Zarathos seeks a hat-trick, but looks unlikely here. Course and distance winner Rhoscolyn is now down to an attractive mark and warrants serious thought, while Colombier is entitled to improve on his seasonal reappearance at Ascot.
Epsom selections – Friday:
13.30 – Coyy
14.05 – Wild Terrain
14.40 – Boiling Point
15.15 – Alpha Crucis
16.00 – Thundering On
16.40 – Stem e/w
17.15 – Greek Mythology
17.50 – Rhoscolyn
Horses racing Image: Credit Paul. CC BY 2.0