Horse Racing Tips: Rory Delargy’s best bets for Oaks Day at Epsom

Rory reckons he's found some value in the tellybox action headed by the Oaks (16:30).

By / Horse Racing Tips / 11 months ago

Rory Delargy’s Horse Racing Tips

14:00 – Bobsleigh
14:35 – Dutch Decoy (NAP)
15:10 – No Bet
15:45 – The Citys Phantom
16:30 – Savethelastdance

*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 – Bobsleigh

The Woodcote Stakes tough start for punters at Epsom, but I thought BOBSLEIGH was impressive when winning by 2¾ lengths at Brighton in a race which has thrown up a subsequent winner, and I think it’s the venue rather than the form shown that sees him largely ignored in the betting. He is sure to handle the track and ground, so ticks some of the boxes that are unknowns for others, including favourite Balon DOr, who needs to show he can handle quick turf.

14:35 – Dutch Decoy (NAP)

DUTCH DECOY (NAP) looks a must for each-way punters in the Racehorse Lotto Handicap, with the fast-ground specialist hinting strongly at a revival when badly drawn at Hamilton last time. He made late headway wide on the track to be fourth to Pisanello there, and the second and third from that Sunday Series handicap have won since, making the form look pretty robust.

The selection had been below form on softer ground prior to that, but he’s got a lifetime record at 7f/1m1f on good to firm/firm ground which reads 4141141, and he’s back on his last winning mark.

    15:10 – No Bet

    There’s no bet for me in the Coronation Cup, with Hurricane Lane tempting, but the form of his yard something of a worry. I’m not sure we should be getting too carried away with a few modest results for Charlie Appleby – he took the Lockinge at the weekend, for example, but it will be interesting to see how his go in the next day or two, especially with the Derby in mind.

      15:45 – The Citys Phantom

      This 1¼m handicap is tempting with four places on offer, and while I respect old pals Masekela and Majestic, I can’t resist a small play at 50/1 on THE CITYS PHANTOM, who has conditions to suit and can be forgiven a poor return on a soft surface that doesn’t suit.

      Richard Spencer’s charge won at Yarmouth on his return to action last year, and is on a similar mark after a few reverses, so is handicapped to get competitive. His lifetime form on good to firm ground reads 3112100, improving to 11210 at this trip of 1¼m, and while he would make a fair bit more appeal in a weaker class of handicap, his huge odds and the extra place on offer are ample compensation.

      16:30 – Savethelastdance

      SAVETHELASTDANCE is an unoriginal pick for the Oaks, but it was hard not to be impressed by her 22-length trial romp, and while it’s easy to make dismissive noises about the fact that her form has come on soft or heavy ground, it’s worth pointing out that she’s bred to want it like a road with her dam winning the American Oaks on a firm surface.

      That filly is most famous for getting spooked by a sudden thunderstorm and unseating her rider on the way to post for this race a few years ago, but Savethelastdance looks bombproof, and while this is a stiffer task than at Chester, she’s expected to show further improvement, and is preferred to Running Lion, who impressed when winning the Pretty Polly, and I’d not get hung up on the fact that the runner-up that day blew out next time – she was almost certainly feeling the effects of the hammering she had taken on her previous start.

      Rory Delargy’s Horse Racing Tips

      14:00 – Bobsleigh
      14:35 – Dutch Decoy (NAP)
      15:10 – No Bet
      15:45 – The Citys Phantom
      16:30 – Savethelastdance

      *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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