The Oaks at Epsom

The Group One Oaks at Epsom at 17.05 CET this afternoon appeas to be wide open, with several different scenarios possible. One probability however is the winner will be Irish-trained, as all four of the top Irish trainers are strongly represented. Jim Bolger by Lush Lashes (Kevin Manning), who is the likely favourote after destroying her field in the Musidora at York; Dermot Weld by Chinese White (Pat Smullen), unbeaten but stepping up in grade, as is John Oxx´ Katiyra (Mick Kinane). Weld and Oxx are trainers who would not be sending horses over unless they seriously considered them to have a strong chance, whereas Aidan O´Brien tends to go mob-handed into these events, and has no fewer than 6 runners today. Stable jockey Johnny Murtagh has chosen to ride Adored, but on form neither Sail (Ryan Moore) and Tiffany Diamond (Seamus Heffernan) can be far behind. Best of the British should be John Gosden´s Michita (Jimmy Fortune) and Roger Charlton´s Clowance, on whom Frankie Dettori replaces the jocked off Steve Drowne; both won last time out, but obviously face a much stiffer task now. Peter Chapple-Hyam´s Cape Amber (Jamie Spencer) ran on well to finish 5 lengths second to Lush Lashes at York; she is reported to have improved, but there still seems little reason for her to reverse the form with the winner. We certainly expect an Irish filly to score today, with slight preference for Katiyra.