Friday 31st May 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (@jordan_yates_)
2.00: Betfred British EBF Woodcote Stakes: The opener on Oaks Day at Epsom is the 2.00 which is the Woodcote Stakes over six furlongs. I think that this can go to New Charter for Richard Hannon and Sean Levey. She made a very encouraging start to her racing career when second behind the potentially smart Mountain Breeze at Newmarket last month, and naturally she should build on that here. She also has the filly allowance in her favour and a bold showing from the Hannon filly would be no surprise. New Charter – 13/8 (Win)
2.35: Trustatrader Handicap: Next up is the 2.35 which is handicap action over a mile and half of a furlong. I’m with Dancing Magic here for the team of Roger Teal and Rossa Ryan. He’s a long-standing maiden, however, he ran a fine race last time out Chester when finishing second to the useful Percy’s Lad. I put him up on that occasion and off just a pound higher here I’m more than happy to side with him again. If getting some luck in the run he could finally claim that elusive victory, and he looks a decent price to go to war with. Dancing Magic – 7/1 (Each-Way)
3.10: Holland Cooper Coronation Cup: It’s Group 1 action at 3.10 with the Coronation Cup taking centre-stage over a mile and four furlongs. I think that this year’s renewal of the race looks to be all about Emily Upjohn for John & Thady Gosden and Kieran Shoemark. She won the race last year when getting the better of the very smart Westover and seems to have a liking for this track, having also finishing second in the Oaks a couple of seasons ago. She’s a dual Group 1 winner and I think she’s the best horse in the race here, and she also gets a weight allowance. If anywhere near her best she’ll be tough to beat. Emily Upjohn – 6/4 (Win) (NAP)
3.45: Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap: My fourth selection of the afternoon comes in the 3.45 which is a Class 2 handicap over a mile and two furlongs. I like Bolster here for the team of Karl Burke and Pierre-Louis Jasmin. I was hoping he’d be a slightly bigger price but I’m happy to take the current 9/2 which is on offer. He’s an unexposed sort who returned to the track in impressive style last month at Pontefract when taking a handicap by two lengths. I think there could be a lot more to come from him and if he comes on again from his last run he could have a very big say. Bolster – 9/2 (Win) (NB)
4.30: Betfred Oaks: The feature contest of the day comes up at 4.30 which is the Group 1 Betfred Oaks over a mile and four furlongs. I’ve decided to take a chance on what is seemingly the O’Brien second-string here in Rubies Are Red who’s the mount of Wayne Lordan. She’s still a maiden but flew home last time out in her trial at Lingfield last month, eventually only finishing half of a length behind the eventual winner You Got To Me. I think she’ll turn the form around here with that rival and I’ll chance her to get the better of stablemate Ylang Ylang, who I wouldn’t be too convinced about with the trip. Rubies Are Red – 6/1 (Each-Way)
