Epsom Oaks favourite Santa Barbara ‘will hack up’ against poor opposition

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Santa Barbara – trained by Aidan O’Brien – is the favourite for the Epsom Oaks despite placing fourth in last month’s 1000 Guineas.

Paddy Power pundit Matt Chapman joined Ruby Walsh to assess the third English Classic of the season on the latest episode of our ‘From The Horse’s Mouth’ podcast.

Our deadly duo fancy Santa Barbara to run away with the spoils – with Matt thinking she’s bred for the trip and faces an underwhelming field.

You can listen to the full show BELOW.

Santa Barbara will hack up.

From a punting point of view I don’t see how Epsom Derby favourite Bolshoi Ballet has done more than Santa Barbara yet Bolshoi Ballet is a shorter price. Bolshoi Ballet’s run a Classic trial over inadequate trip and Santa Barbara finished fourth in a Classic over an inadequate trip.

You’re putting your faith in the connections. We’re basically saying Aidan knows. Does Aidan know? Time will tell. He doesn’t always know. He didn’t know in the 2000 Guineas and he didn’t know in the Irish 2000 Guineas where all the Ballydoyle horses ran awful.

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My feeling with Santa Barbara is they have always felt this is an absolute monstress. She’s clearly bred for the trip and, perhaps most importantly, I don’t think the opposition is great. If she’s even three-quarters as good as they think, she’ll win.

I spoke to Aidan before the 1000 Guineas and he said she’s two to three weeks behind. On that basis, even though she was a hot favourite for the 1000 Guineas I don’t think they fancied her that strongly.

She’s different gravy. So best of luck and pray for Yeeehaaas. You hear me Paddy?

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