3.40 Epsom
Preview
The first of 2 Classics on Super Saturday is the Group 1 Investec Oaks. It has, however, attracted a disappointing field of just 8 for this mile and a half contest for 3 year old fillies. On paper, it looks like a straight shootout between Aiden O’Brien’s Love & John Gosden’s Frankly Darling. There are 1-2 in the betting market & the trainers have landed the last 6 Oaks between them, having won 3 each.
Favourite
Love is the winner of the first fillies classic of the season, the 1000 Guineas and she put up what looked like an impressive performance winning by almost 5 lengths. However, the form has taken knock after knock so she’s not as solid as might first appear. That said, she is the yard’s number 1 hope (O’Brien runs 2 others) and she looks sure to relish the extra yardage.
SPECIAL OFFER
OPEN UP A BETVICTOR ACCOUNT AND BET £5 ON THE OAKS OR THE DERBY TO GET £30 IN FREE BETS TO SPEND OVER THE NEXT FEW DAYS! CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO JOIN. NEW ACCOUNTS ONLY. 18+ T&Cs apply. Gamble Aware
Contenders
Frankly Darling won the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot despite running green. She pulled hard but still quickened clear in good style & won with any amount in hand. At this stage, she looks the most likely winner. In behind that day were Ennistymon (2nd), Passion (3rd) & Bharani Star (4th) & it appears unlikely that any will turn the tables here. The Pretty Polly at Newmarket is the other trial to look at. Queen Daenerys & Tiempo Vuela ran behind easy winner Run Wild but the winner & the 3rd in that race has since at Royal Ascot, both finishing well down the field.
Betting
This leaves Gold Wand as the only realistic alternative to the front 2 in the market. She is Roger Varian’s main hope (from 2 runners) but she has loads to prove on paper. She’s raced just twice, both in maiden company, finishing 2nd on heavy ground on debut last term behind a likeable type at Doncaster. What struck me most about that was a RPR of 89 which is the highest any of this field recorded on debut.
On reappearance at Newbury, she was green but travelled well & quickened up to pull clear, winning by just under 2 lengths. She looked like she’d appreciate this extra 2 furlongs and, whilst she’ll need to improve by any amount to feature here, she’s the most unexposed & is the only one yet to show her field in decent company. That alone makes her worthy of a small each way bet.
Tips
Back Gold Wand (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 21.00 Betfair BOG (1/5 odds 1-3)
Back her here:
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2020
