Oaks day proved to be extremely profitable despite Ihtimal failing to reach the frame in the big race. Taghrooda (5-1) more than covered our stakes on the Godolphin filly and we also scored with Thistle Bird (7-2), French Navy (13-2) and Abseil (5-2). I hope that some of you had them linked up in doubles and trebles!
It is going to be difficult to follow that on Derby day but we’ll do our best. At the time of writing, the going is something of a mystery. It was drying out to good to firm on Friday evening but the forecasts are for heavy thundery rain tomorrow so it’s pretty much anybody’s guess. The safest option is probably to keep the soft ground horses on your side.
William Haggas has his stable in great form and saddles two in the opener (just to complicate things!). Of the two, I prefer the filly Flippant who has twice battled back to win races that it would have been easier to lose. She was past and looked beaten at Haydock last autumn but refused to give and switched around the leaders to get back up and win. She displayed the same qualities in winning over a mile at Chepstow last time and I think the mile and a quarter will be right up her street.
Not many two-year-olds get completely shut off in the home straight and still get up to win on the bridle. Baitha Alga did exactly that at the May meeting and could present Frankie Dettori with a Derby day winner in the Woodcote Stakes. She was quickly away and did everything right at Chester so should handle the Epsom downhill run without any problems.
Cirrus Des Aigles looks a class above his rivals in the Coronation Cup and should prove a very popular winner. He has already beaten Treve this season and it’s hard to imagine any of his rivals doing that. There seems to be confidence behind Flintshire but he’ll need to improve to beat the eight-year-old.
I previewed the Derby earlier in the week and believe that the Chester Vase could prove to have been a decent trial. A (very) long time ago I watched Quest For Fame beat Belmez in the same race and they proved to be pretty useful. Having gone for Orchestra (each-way) it would be foolish not to have a small bet on Romsdal at 28-1 after Mr G won the Oaks today in such fine style. We still have our ante-post bet on Kingston Hill so hopefully on of them will sneak a place at least.
Flippant 1.35 Epsom at 8-1 Paddy Power
Baitha Alga 2.05 Epsom at 11-4 Coral, Stan James
Cirrus Des Aigles 2.40 Epsom at Evens 888Sport
Kingston Hill 4.00 Epsom 10-1*
Orchestra 4.00 Epsom 16-1*
Romsdal 4.00 Epsom 28-1 BetVictor
*Ante-post
Betfair:
Bet on Henrik Stenson to become the BMW PGA Championship Winner.
Paddypower:
Back Australia to take the Ashes home with them.
Betway:
Back Rafael Nadal to become the Mens French Open Winner.
Coral:
Back One For Arthur to win the Grand National.
Bet365:
Back Mexico to win the Confederations Cup.
