The Oaks at Epsom today

The Derby meeting at Epsom starts today with an excellent card, headed by The Oaks at 17.00 CET. The classic race for fillies - actually older then the Derby itself- is over 1 1/2 miles and has 11 runners today, with Secret Gesture (Ralph Beckett/ Jim Crowley) the clear favourite. She was a most impressive winner of the Lingfield Oaks Trial and although that is no longer a significant race in itself, that is probably the best form in the race.

Qatar Racing, who also have the German-trained Chopin in tomorrow´s Derby, have bought a half share in the Galileo filly and she is our selection, although we hope to get a better price than the current 9/4. Beckett is one of 3 trainers with two runners, and his other filly Talent (Richard Hughes) also has a good chance of being placed, as she was staying on strongly when winning over 10 furlongs at Newmarket last time. Aidan O´Brien - of course- has two runners, with son Joseph on Moth, third in the 1,000 Guineas and almost certainly better at today´s trip. Seamus Heffernan rides Say, who needs to improve, although also a daughter of Galileo, like Moth and Secret Gesture.

Michhel Bell also has two runners, although his hopes Madame Deafrge (Tom Queally) and The Lark (Jamie Spencer) are both outsiders, However quite a few judges expect The Lark to be a good each-way bet. A more likely Newmarket challenger is Liber Nauticus (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore), who won the Musidora, usually a good guide; it is rather worrying that Stoute, for two decades the top trainer in the U.K., has not won a Group One race since Workforce´s Arc in 2010. To be hoest, we don´t fancy his filly, as we are not sure that she will act on the track.
There have been plenty of upsets in the history of this race, and we don ´t like tipping favourites, but in this case we think that Secret Gesture is the most reliable candidate and hope that she wins.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Thistle Bird - Beatrice Aurore - Sentaril
2. Race: Resurge - Pilgrims Rest - Area Fifty One
3. Race: Gregorian - Producer - Gabrial
4. Race: Hefner - Hi There - Maverik
5. Race: Secret Gesture - Moth - Liber Nauticus
6. Race: Hasopop - Here Comes When - Well Acquainted
7. Race: Lancelot Du Lac - You Da One - Love Magic