Two of the biggest days of the year start on Friday with the Oaks the warm up to Saturday’s Investec Derby. Both days are live on the main ITV channel and I can’t wait for it all to begin and bang in a few winners.
Let’s get straight to it, and the 14:00 on Friday at Epsom is the Woodcote Conditions Stakes over 6f for two-year-olds. Hard to get away from PINATUBO, who looked good at Wolverhampton on debut, staying on well from mid division. Should be hard to beat for Charlie Appleby as he’s open to much improvement.
Next up is the an extended 1m handicap at 14.35. HISTORY WRITER is gearing up for a win for David Menuisier. He has had two fine runs at Newbury and Sandown and will be trying to pounce late. Back him each-way.
The 15.10 is the Group 1 Coronation Cup over 1m 4f. CORONET will probably struggle to win, but she is a great each-way bet in this event. John Gosden’s second string often meets the best and she will improve a bundle for her run first time this season. Olivier Peslier gets on with her very well. We are back in handicap company at 15.45, this time over 1m 2f. Appleby might get a double here with SETTING SAIL, who didn’t quite get home after travelling well over further at Ascot last time. Every chance of hitting the frame and an each-way bet again.
And finally the Group 1 Oaks is at 16.30 over 1m 4f. MANUELA DE VEGA was well beaten by Mehdaayih at Chester, but I take her to run a huge race here at a fabulous each-way price of around 12/1. Ralph Beckett has been keen to take on the Chester winner again.
I’ll have a few quid on each-way.
So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?
*Prices correct at time of publishing
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