Oaks trial at Goodwood

Main event at today´s 6 meetings in the U.K. and Ireland is the listed race for 3yo fillies at 17.25 CET at Goodwood. This is a last-ditch trial for the Oaks, which is just over 2 weeks away, and 5 of the 8 runners have an Oaks entry. The only filly in recent years to have gone on from scoring here to winning at Epsom is the top class Snow Fairy, whose trainer Ed Dunlop now saddles Arethusa and has booked Ryan Moore to ride. Arethusa has not run since winning a minor event here last August and needs to improve a huge amount to win now, but that is by no means out of the question. However strictly on form this should go to Jellicle Ball (John Gosden( Frankie Dettori), who ran badly last time in the 1,000 Guineas but was apparently in season; her previous second place in the Fred Darling is the best form in the race. Gosden also saddles Miss Giler (William Buick), who is second best on ratings, but her form does not convince us, and another seasonal debutant Lady of Dubai (Luca Cumani/Adam Kirby) looks a greater threat.

This race is backed up by some very competitive handicaps and we expect Ryan Moore to have another good afternoon. He rides Jeremy Noseda´s Nigels Destiny at 15.40, but this race Looks tough; however we fancy his chances on his father Gary´s Civil War in the 2 mile handicap at 16.15 and Sir Michael Stoute´s top-weight Darshini over 9 furlongs at 16.50.

Most of the Goodwood jockeys will be travelling up to Sandown for a decent evening card and Moore can score again here on the Queen´s Dartmouth at 20.35, also trained by Stoute. German-bred Sugar Boy (Gosden/ Buick) also has a squeak here in the 3yo mile handicap at 19.25.