Horse Racing Tips: Ruby Walsh’s 5 Epsom Oaks day picks on ITV Racing

Ruby is raring to go for Epsom on Oaks day.

Ruby Walsh Epsom

By / Horse Racing Tips / 3 years ago

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

14:00 – Dusky Prince

Bit of a wide open race this one but that’s what you expect from a race for two year old’s. I’m going to chance Dusky Prince but it’s not a major fancy. He won over five furlongs at Brighton in April and that course might have some similarities to the track at Epsom. Brighton isn’t a straightforward track and neither is Epsom! Hollie Doyle rides for Archie Watson and I’m chancing Dusky Prince as an each-way pick.

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14:35 – Irish Admiral

The favourite Irish Admiral is pretty short. He won at Wolverhampton in April and was third at York last month but having being beaten at York off a similar mark, why is he so short? Especially when the race looks so competitive. Someone has obviously seen something in Irish Admiral at York that I didn’t.

However, you have to respect William Haggas’ team in handicap races, he’s a shrewd operator. I’d be tempted to oppose him but I’m not too sure who could take him on out of the rest.

15:10 – Pyledriver

Al Aasy is too short a price. He’s a dual Group 3 winner but this is the top level. He was no match for Mogul last year in a Group 3 at Goodwood. He’s been slowly brought along by William Haggas, he’s four now and he’s bound to be improving but he’s not worth taking at these. I’m not a massive fan of Japan and Mogul needs a strong pace to run at. It’s such a strong field so is he going to get that gallop to run at? I’m not so sure.

I’m going to chance Pyledriver. He’s surely improved since his run behind Sir Ron Priestley at Newmarket last month. He was seventh in the Champion Stakes at Ascot over 10 furlongs but that was never going to suit him. He did impress at York in August though. I know he had a bad run at Epsom last year but I’m going to forgive him and he’s my pick.

Epsom Derby time and course length

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15:45 – Hms President

Blue Cup will wear a hood for the first time so maybe David Menuisier felt the occasion got to him in York, where he finished seventh. He was unlucky at Epsom in April but he then went on and blew it at York in May, how many chances are people going to give him?

Dream With Me has won his last two races and he’s risen from a rating of 72 to 90. You have to think the handicapper has a hold of him. Victory Chime won at Epsom in April over one mile and two furlongs, beating Sky Defender. Hms President was a good winner at Windsor in May and he beat Bad Company.

William Buick takes the ride for Eve Johnson Houghton and I’m going to chance Hms President. It’s a horse going in the right direction and Eve’s horses are in good nick.

16:30 – Santa Barbara

Santa Barbara is potentially a worthy favourite. She went off a short-priced favourite in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket but was she ever going to be fast enough for that? Probably not. It all looked to happen too fast for her. Mother Earth swooped from behind her and got a run on her at Newmarket.

Ryan Moore gave Snowfall a great ride at York in May so I’m not that big on her with Ryan taking the ride on Santa Barbara. Seamie Heffernan is on Divinely who could be worth a look at for an each-way punt.

I’m not a huge fan of Saffron Beach, will she stay the distance? The furthest she’s run is one mile. She probably has the strongest form but you’re wondering whether she’ll stay. I’ll go with Santa Barbara as she’s crying out for a trip so I’ll side with the favourite.

Ruby Walsh’s 5 Epsom Oaks day picks:

14:00 – Dusky Prince
14:35 – Irish Admiral
15:10 – Pyledriver
15:45 – Hms President
16:30 – Santa Barbara

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change

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