Epsom’s two-day Classic meeting begins on Friday, with two Group 1s to kick off one of the most memorable couple of days in the sport. The Epsom Oaks is the highlight, and GG tipster Joe Napier provides a 25/1 tip in the big one, among four selections at the Surrey track in all…
1.30 Epsom – Nyetimber Surrey Stakes (Listed)
This is a tricky opener to Oaks day, with top-rated Rebel’s Gamble still yet to prove himself on turf and the consistent Diego Ventura perhaps vulnerable to one who steps up. The most likely to do so looks to be Godolphin runner HALLASAN.
His sire Pinatubo won the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom as a juvenile and ultimately excelled over 7f as a three-year-old. As a result it might be that this 7f trip is the one Hallasan will prove best suited by too, despite having won over 1m in Dubai over the winter.
His victory over recent French Derby hero Camille Pissarro at Doncaster last season continues to catch the eye on the formbook, while 6f likely proved unsuitably short back on these shores at Ascot at the end of April. That was a pretty strong Group 3 though, and this looks eminently more winnable if he settles, which was not the case last time out.
2.05 Epsom – Betfred British EBF Woodcote Stakes
Godolphin representative Maximized overcame a more fancied stablemate on his debut at Haydock, but his odds are cramped given the unknown quantities he faces in the line-up. The most appealing is HAVANA HURRICANE, who may have cost significantly less at the sales, but made a striking debut for Eve Johnson Houghton at Goodwood in May.
The yard won this two years ago and had a 22/1 shot make the frame last season, so this is clearly a race they target. Their son of Havana Gold came from last on debut to win comfortably and runner-up Logi Bear, who reopposes, has since bolted up himself.
That form is fairly taking and Johnson Houghton’s record in the Woodcote has to be a positive alongside that. He shaped as though stepping up to 6f would suit even better and he may give the more powerful connections a fright.
2.40 Epsom – Betfred Coronation Cup (Group 1)
He has made an unfortunate habit of finishing second of late, but there have been excuses every time for CALANDAGAN, and the French-trained superstar is likely to land his first Group 1 honours in the Coronation Cup.
Francis-Henri Graffard’s star won by six lengths at Royal Ascot last season, before pushing City Of Troy close in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York. He was only gunned down late in the Champion Stakes at Ascot to conclude the season while he had the likes of Rebel’s Romance and Giavellotto well behind him when runner-up in the Dubai Sheema Classic over this 1m4f trip on his return.
Jan Breughel could prove a tricky adversary for Aidan O’Brien, but Calandagan was only narrowly beaten by Ballydoyle’s far classier City Of Troy in the Juddmonte. As long as he remains out of trouble, and copes with Epsom’s cambers, he is comfortably the horse to beat.
4.00 Epsom – Betfred Oaks (Group 1)
Unbeaten 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower should prove vulnerable on this step up to 1m4f and it is surely worth taking her on. Minnie Hauk is due to be the mount of Ryan Moore, which is a surprise given the more impressive trial successes of both stablemates Giselle and Whirl, but that jockey booking could well prove worth heeding.
Nevertheless, with the Ballydoyle hierarchy looking unclear, and with some rain in the forecast to potentially soften the ground somewhat, a chance is worth taking on Joseph O’Brien’s WEMIGHTAKEDLONGWAY to upset father Aidan’s contingent.
The daughter of Australia is likely to take to this 1m4f trip and also beat Minnie Hauk in a Cork maiden last season. That was only over 1m, but was on more alert ground than she perhaps excels on, so it is worth taking that formline seriously.
She was no match for Derby favourite Delacroix when taking on the boys on return, but when kicked out in front in Navan’s Group 3 Salsabil Stakes over 1m2f, she won comfortably over a promising runner-up. Stall 8 gives her a chance to navigate the initial right-handed kink in front, and Dylan Browne McMonagle may well be able to dictate a shock result.
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