Horse Racing Tips: Paddy’s ultimate Cheat Sheet for Epsom Oaks day on Friday

Bobsleigh has a chance and I’d give Valour and Swagger a squeak having run really well at Ascot despite finishing runner up. The step up to 6f should suit and he looks solid.

HAATEM winning would be the ideal way to kick off this meeting. He won very easily at Bath and having been an eye-catcher at Goodwood on his first run.

VALOUR AND SWAGGER bolted up on his racecourse debut at Windsor but should have been ridden differently at Ascot when beaten. This longer trip will help.

HAATEM should be bang in the mix for Richard Hannon and Pat Dobbs. What I like about this colt is he’s coped with Goodwood, having been a good third there on debut before scoring at Bath at long odds on.

HAATEM just gets the vote ahead of stable-mate The Camden Colt, for trainer Richard Hannon who has an excellent record in this contest. Valour And Swagger has the form in the book, and he will be suited by this extra 1f, so is another for the shortlist.

There seem to be plenty of money for Dutch Decoy who came home really well at Hamilton last time despite being drawn on the wrong side. He’s a much better draw this time and stall three and the 1m trip on this ground will play to his strengths. He’s the nap on Friday. 

REVICH is a former course winner which is all important around Epsom’s undulations. The 6lb rise in the weights after his win last time at Chester complicates matters a little but the seven-year-old is versatile ground wise and tactics wise.

An unlucky third here 12 months ago year of a mark of 98 it looks like today is the target for FANTASTIC FOX again. He’s 5lb less to carry & Oisin Murphy is booked.

I’ll chance DUTCH DECOY each-way from a decent draw in stall 3. My hope goes for Charlie Johnston and Neil Callan takes the ride. A mark of 87 seems fine.

It could just pay to side with ALL THE KINGS MEN. He ran another solid race when third at Thirsk 13 days ago and is unexposed at this trip in first-time blinkers. Course-winner Rhoscolyn is lurking on a handy mark and is worth a look too. 

I wouldn’t be surprised if Tunnes wins as he’s kept good company all his career. He was unbeaten until below par in the Japan Cup but there were excuses for that run. The German challenger is considerably bigger in the market than Westover who usually needs everything to fall right for him to win. It’s the toss of a coin for me and I’d prefer to be on the one who is the bigger price.

If TUNNES gets loose on the front end he may not be caught. The British handicapper rates the German challenger just 1lb behind Westover so he may be the value play at the prices.

The only time POINT LONSDALE hasn’t been in the money was in the 2,000 Guineas behind Coroebus as a three-year-old. Steps up to 1m 4f which should prove ideal and is on the right path.

I suspect HURRICANE LANE might go off in front after he was kicked on a long way out at Newmarket last time and seemed to enjoy it all. William Buick rides and hopefully he handles the quicker ground.

EMILY UPJOHN looked a top-class filly in the making when a very unfortunate Oaks second over course and distance last summer. She can make the most of her 3 lb sex allowance. 

If you go back 12 months, you’d have seen Masekela running an excellent race to finish fourth to Desert Crown in the Epsom Derby. He hasn’t really built on that effort despite running well in Graded contests and started this season running down the field in a handicap off 102 at York. There could be more to come from Masekela in handicap company this season.

MAJESTIC was a little unlucky at York when trying to come from the back of the pack after a tawdry start. Ground conditions are fine and he is still reasonably handicapped considering he won the Cambridgeshire last September.

You can upgrade the York run of MAJESTIC as he broke slowly and was forced to race in the centre of the track. He’s tough and consistent and conditions will suit.

MASEKELA has been desperate recently and looked nothing like the horse who this time last year finished fourth behind Desert Crown in the Derby. He’s clearly well handicapped off a mark of 99 for Andrew Balding and this track might spark a revival. Worth a few quid each-way despite an awful effort at York last time.

TOSHIZOU is still unexposed at 10 furlongs and could well represent a spot of value from his easing mark. Hollie Doyle rides. 

Savethelastdance finished fifth on debut at Thurles last season but has taken her form to a different level this term – particularly with the visually stunning 22-length romp at Chester.  Previously she beat Boogie Woogie in Ireland and that maiden form has been franked since a couple of times. She can out-stay the Gosden challengers. 

SAVETHELASTDANCE was really impressive in the Cheshire Oaks when running out a stunning 22 length winner. She is proven at the 1m 4f trip in this Fillies’ Classic and that will count for plenty and should handle the ground and track.

SAVETHELASTDANCE destroyed her rivals at Chester in a whopping 22 length success. The ground will be a lot different now but she should cope with quicker conditions. An each-way alternative could be Heartache Tonight who hs decent form in France and the step up to 1m 4f should suit.

I really do think SAVETHELASTDANCE will hack up for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. She looked a monster in the Cheshire Oaks last time  and while the ground will be very different the daughter of Galileo is not bred for mud. She can out-class the field.

SAVETHELASTDANCE taken to show she’s as effective on a quicker surface and see off Soul Sister and Running Lion, who were also impressive winners of their trials last month.