Epsom Oaks Preview

Although some of his questions appear to have come from that era it is unclear if Derek ’Tommo’ Thompson was around in 1779 when the Epsom Oaks was first run. He will certainly be around for the 2013 running of the race. Here is our guide to the value from this and the rest of the Epsom action on Friday.

In 1779, Lord Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury (yes they do sound like characters from an Oscar Wilde play) conceived the idea of a race which would determine which horse was the best of its generation. Over time the races have now evolved into the Derby and the Oaks with the latter being for three-year-old thoroughbred fillies. The race is now considered the third of a five classics that year and the third of a triple leg for fillies (proceeded by the 1,000 Guineas and followed by the St Leger). Horses though rarely compete for the triple which is why the winner of the 1,000 Guineas this year (SKY LATERN) is absent from this race.

The market is headed by two daughters of Galileo (the Epsom Derby winner not the Italian Physicist) with Secret Gesture at 5/2 (GENERAL) and Moth at 3/1 (GENERAL). The Ralph Beckett trained Secret Gesture showed real promise in winning a Lingfield Oaks trial by ten lengths and Beckett trained the race winner here in 2008. The horse is sure to be a real contender and I could not put anyone of backing it. Moth is another who could go close after finished third in the 1,000 Guineas and is trained by Aiden O’Brien. O’Brien has trained the winner of this race four times previously.

Third favourite Liber Nauticus is a 7/2 (GENERAL) chance and will hope to land the trophy for the first time for trainer Sir Michael Stoute. The horse was the impressive winner of the Musidora at York and it is interesting to note how little Ryan Moore used the whip that day suggesting the horse has a lot more to give.

Banoffee is the other horse to earn a single figure quote at 8/1 (GENERAL). The Hughie Morrison runner showed a sharp turn of foot in passing her rivals to land the Cheshire Oaks and commands respect here.

At a bigger price Say 12/1 (stanjames/william hill/SPREADEX), Talent 16/1 (BETVICTOR/stanjames/william hill) and Madame Defarge 25/1 (GENERAL) could offer each-way value.

13 of the last 14 winners of this race have had a combined score of 178 or higher from Racing Post ratings of their last two runs. Only Secret Gesture and Liber Nauticus fit this criteria and with the latter available at a better price than the former then this looks the way to play it.

The Epsom Oaks is not the only race on the card and I like the look of Niceofyoutotellme in the second race of the day, the Investec Wealth and Investment Handicap. The Ralph Beckett trained runner is likely to go off as the favourite though that not should put you off. The horse impressed when winning at Kempton last time out seeing off Icebuster who has subsequently gone on to run a couple of good races at a higher level. Blue Surf, Resurge and Area Fifty one are likely to still present the nearest challenges.

The third race on the card is the Investec Diomed Stakes and Gregorian and Gabriel are epected to battle it out at the head of the betting market. I like the look of Producer here who is a real course specialist having won four times previously and looked in good form when winning at Leicester last time out.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Liber Nauticus to win the Epsom Oaks (16:00 Friday), 7/2 (GENERAL)
SILVER: Niceofyoutotellme to win the 14:10 at Epsom on Friday, best available price
BRONZE: Producer to win the 14:45 at Epsom on Friday, best available price

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30/05/2013     © Frixo 2026