Epsom hosts the third Classic of the season and our top team of tipsters are back with their best bets for Friday’s action on Epsom Oaks day.
Matt Chapman, Ruby Walsh, Mick Fitzgerald, Jason Weaver and Rory Delargy have been studying the form and crunching the numbers for all the ITV races and we’ve gathered them up in one tidy place to help you along.
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The action gets underway at 2pm with the Cazoo Woodcote British EBF Stakes and the big race of the day is the fillies classic, the Cazoo Epsom Oaks at 4:30pm.
So scroll down for our handy guide to the day’s big races and hopefully nab yourself a winner in the process.
Matt Chapman
Ruby Walsh
Mick Fitzgerald
Jason Weaver
Rory Delargy
Matt Chapman
The one who might be a little over priced is SELF PRAISE who goes for Hugo Palmer and Danny Tudhope. The son of Twilight Son was an eye-catcher at Doncaster first time and then was a place in front of the re-opposing Blatant at Chester. He ducked out at the start that day and should have each-way claims here.
Ruby Walsh
I was impressed with how LEGEND OF XANADU went to the line on his last start. He really kept going well at Redcar.
Mick Fitzgerald
Self Praise has pace, which is exactly what you need at Epsom. I like the way he finished the race off at Chester and at the prices is definitely worthy of a look.
Jason Weaver
SHANDY STAR showed a solid level of ability when thrown in the deep end in Listed company at York on racecourse debut 21 days ago.
Rory Delargy
I’ve ended up coming down on Self Praise. I was taken with the run at Doncaster and at Chester when he had a bad draw. The fact that he’s had a couple of runs is a big positive. From an each-way perspective he appeals most to me
Matt Chapman
FANTASTIC FOX was only fair on seasonal debut at Haydock, but he should come on for the run and will enjoy any juice in the ground. The Roger Varian runner gets the assistance of Andrea Atzeni and has been dropped a couple of lbs this term so comes with each-way claims.
Ruby Walsh
OH THIS IS US was rated 108 when winning at Epsom last season and is down to 92 now. He looks too well handicapped to ignore on a course he clearly likes.
Mick Fitzgerald
Corazon Espinado is a real course specialist and not every runner handles Epsom’s twists and turns. He won this race last year and is nearly back to the same handicap mark.
Jason Weaver
HARTSWOOD is starting to look very well handicapped and looks as if he’s going to get his ideal conditions, a strong pace and a big field. It could also rubberstamp a new trainer-jockey combination of Richard Fahey and Oisin Orr.
Rory Delargy
Oh This Is Us has a terrific record running again after seven days. He’s too-well handicapped to ignore and has shown signs he’s close to a revival. More than happy to stick with him.
Matt Chapman
I’ll stick with defending champion PYLEDRIVER who I thought was unlucky in Dubai last time but who still ran well in fourth behind Japanese runner Shahryar.
Ruby Walsh
HIGH DEFINITION should be suited by the step up in trip and should stripper a lot fitter for his run at the Curragh. I don’t know what Pyledriver’s prep has been like since disappointing in Meydan.
Mick Fitzgerald
Pyledriver won this race last year and Frankie Dettori will have learnt a lot about him form their run in Meydan. High Definition is the obvious danger.
Jason Weaver
Last year‘s winner PYLEDRIVER looks as if he’s going to be tough to beat. Very little was mentioned about how unlucky he was last time with Frankie Dettori on board and he’s not the type of rider to make the same mistake twice.
Rory Delargy
Everything’s in Pyledriver’s favour and while it’s not a tremendous betting heat, that wasn’t a problem for him last year. He’s versatile in tactics and showed that last season when winning this race.
Matt Chapman
LOVE IS GOLDEN is right at the limit of his handicap mark here off 87 but he gets a fair chunk of weight from some of the big guns and has a lovely racing weight of 8st 6lb under Franny Norton.
Ruby Walsh
CAP FRANCAIS got a long way back at Chester and had to come wide into the straight. He was flying at the line, but didn’t get get there. William Buick takes over in the saddle now and he can make amends.
Mick Fitzgerald
Caradoc was stopped several times in the run at Nottingham and has a kind draw to come fast and late off the pace.
Jason Weaver
A one-time Derby prospect who lost his way but has been revitalised for the switch in stable to Ian Williams. CAP FRANCAIS came good up at Newmarket and was very unlucky not to double his tally at Chester when flying from the back of the pack last time.
Rory Delargy
Cap Francais looks the play each-way as he’ll be rattling past the beaten horses. Not sure he’ll be able to get home in first place but should go close.
Matt Chapman
TUESDAY is a massive price and I’ll be backing her each-way for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. The trainer described her to me as the ‘female’ Luxembourg before she finished third in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket in that she has always needed 1m 4f to show her best. I’m not worried that she was second in the Irish Guineas as this is more her trip.
Ruby Walsh
THOUGHTS OF JUNE beat Above The Curve at Chester who has since won a Group 1 at Longchamp. She’s a strong stayer and looks over-priced so I’ll be going with her each-way.
Mick Fitzgerald
Emily Upjohn sets the standard and is the one they all have to beat providing the preliminaries don’t get to her. Concert Hall looks a value-play each-way if they do.
Jason Weaver
CONCERT HALL is going to be the value pick against a red-hot favourite in Emily Upjohn. She ran an eye-catching race although was beaten by six lengths by Homeless Songs in the Irish 1,000 Guineas last time. The way she powered through the line would suggest that this trip is going to bring about more improvement.
Rory Delargy
Trainer Ralph Beckett knows an Oaks filly when he has one so it’s interesting that he’s persisted with Moon De Vega. Beckett’s in terrific form now and stall 11 allows Moon De Vega to get a good position without others getting in her way. There’s a fair chance that she’s a lot better than she’s shown so far.
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