Live horse racing blog: News, reviews and replays from Epsom's Cazoo Oaks day
Birthday girl Tuesday denied an unlucky Emily Upjohn in a thrilling Cazoo Oaks to provide trainer Aidan O'Brien with a tenth success in the Epsom Classic. Recap the action.
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Derby delight
1722: There's one more to come from Epsom and it's a good handicap too but it's time to bring the blog to a close and focus on tomorrow's Cazoo Derby card.
Keep an eye on those early weather bulletins as Cooper did say (this morning) the latest forecast showed the possibility of showers hitting the course at around 8 or 9 am.
Hopefully they won't be too heavy if they do arrive and will just freshen the track up.
The Oaks has delivered in spades with a brilliant finish between two high-class fillies and plenty of talking points to boot.
There should be more of the same on Saturday and the race is well poised with Desert Crown a popular 9/4 favourite and Stone Age next at 5/1.
It should be a classic and I hope you'll join me from around the same time tomorrow for all of the build-up and action. See you then.
That's a Given
1713: A couple more left to load for the Surrey Stakes.
Dawn Of Liberation has the lead but is tracked by Oscula. Ever Given has one behind.
Dawn Of Liberation is beaten. The action unfolds in the centre of the track and Ever Given never really looked like losing.
A winner for Danny Tudhope and Hugo Palmer who must be delighted to have the son of Kodi Bear in his charge as Ever Given has been a real money spinner for the yard.
The 16/5 shot looks capable of winning a good few more races yet on this evidence.
Oscula and, to some extent, Dawn Of Liberation both rallied having been headed.
I wonder if Oscula may have fared better is she had stayed more central, she went towards the stands' side (with several other runners) while the winner burst clear in the centre. It's the second or third time we've seen that today.
In for a pound
1706: The Poundland Surrey Stakes features one of the best backed favourites outside the Oaks and I think there's plenty to recommend Dawn Of Liberation.
He's joint top-rated on official figures for a start and comes into the race on the back of an impressive victory at Goodwood which earned him a 15lb rise in the handicap.
Dawn Of Liberation's juvenile form stacks up well enough too and I like him.
There is some support for Oscula who is now 5/2. She disappointed on dirt when last seen but it's easy to forgive her that performance. It remains to be seen whether she has trained on from her two-year-old season and I'm content to take on last season's Woodcote Stakes winner.
Ever Given is out to 3/1.
He will appreciate the drop in grade after being outclassed in a Group Two but hasn't got copper bottomed stamina for this seven furlong trip (despite winning a nursery at the distance).
Ryan mighty
1645: "I always felt I was going to win," Moore tells Bell.
"She was awkward at the start. She put herself into it with every chance very quickly. She was just a bit idle when I came to lead. She's got an awful lot of class. It's amazing how that family keep producing. I always thought she was going to be our Classic filly this year.
"I think there's more to come."
Moore has, understandably, spoken in glowing terms about Tuesday and compared her favourably to Minding. He said they were very similar but that Tuesday was probably a stronger stayer.
He doesn't expect her to have any problems in dropping back to 10 furlongs.
O'Brien is 'Absolutely delighted'.
He added: "Today was her birthday. Ryan rode her very confidently. Delighted for everyone."
Rather less happy is Dettori:
"She fell over, slipped, lost her footing.
"I wanted to get the rail but Ryan had that pleasure on Tuesday and I had to make a choice whether to go on the outside.
"She was an unlucky loser.
"She should have won."
Hollie Doyle also seems a little despondent after finishing third on Nashwa.
"She settled well and travelled into it, she travelled into it like the winner really. She's run a solid race.
"We know we've definitely got a Group One filly on our hands. It didn't happen today but I'm sure there'll be plenty of other days."
Tuesday wins the Cazoo Oaks
1635: They're off for the Cazoo Oaks.
"There's a slow and awkward start for Emily Upjohn," calls Simon Holt.
She's alongside Tuesday with only one behind them as Thoughts Of June leads With The Moonlight and Tranquil Lady. Moon De Vega in fourth.
Nashwa is one spot in front of Tuesday, against the rail as they pass Tattenham Corner.
Emily Upjohn wide on the track but goes well. Tuesday hits the front on the inside.
Nashwa drifts down the camber and is in third. Photo between Tuesday and Emily Upjohn.
They think Tuesday has won it. She has!
Paddock pick
1630: Paddock expert Ken Pittersen's take:
"Nashwa, I think she's taken a nice step forwards. I think she'll stay.
"Emily Upjohn looks well. Of the outsiders, Rogue Millennium and Thoughts Of June."
Tuesday and Concert Hall have both shortened up again according to the graphic on the tv and With The Moonlight is another to have been trimmed.
Concert Hall is 15/2 from 11s on course. Rogue Millennium is 25s from 40s with a couple of the outsiders shortening up. I don't think that will be too relevant in a few minutes times.
They are going behind.
Emily upside
1617: Hislop thinks Emily Upjohn's free running style may have been overstated at York and she's calm in the preliminaries.
Dettori took Emily Upjohn wide the Musidora in a deliberate tactical move and she feels that contributed to the popular interpretation of her performance.
She is, though, a big filly and Hislop is concerned as to how well she might handle this track as a result.
Dettori has been fulsome in his praise of Emily Upjohn and compared her favourably to Enable.
Is she for you at 11/8?
Dixon adds that she has been far better behaved today than at York and they've passed over to Berry who has a close-up view as they make their way onto the track.
The parade has concluded and the field make their way to the start which will take a while. Apparently all of the field are taking it in their stride and there shouldn't be any worries now as they move further away from the hubbub.
I wish I did know but I don't
1612: So says Michael Tabor when asked about the Ballydoyle pecking order.
"Really I'd be guessing. I really don't have a preference. I'd just be misleading."
Mulrennan speaks well of Rogue Millenium who is 'definitely one of the standouts in the paddock'.
She's unbeaten but is a huge price.
Joseph O'Brien is the next to face Persad's inquisition and says of Tranquil Lady.
"This has been the plan since Navan. We think we have a live each-way chance.
"She's a very laid-back filly, she's very well balanced and a good mover and I think there's a good chance she'll handle the track."
What's in a name
1603: Thoughts Of June was presumably named with this race in mind so would be a more than appropriate winner but I'm hoping that Tuesday proves the pundits wrong and sees out this trip well enough to land the spoils.
She 'looked well in herself' according to Berry when in the pre-parade ring. He thinks she has tightened up a little since the Irish Guineas but that she may not be fully there physically yet. It's worth remembering that she's much younger than some of her peers and has only just turned three so may not come into her own until the backend of the season.
Tuesday is back out to 8/1 which appeals as I would want to back her each-way given a poor draw (in one) and those stamina concerns.
The 13/8 that was available about Emily Upjohn is nothing but a memory and she's 5/4 in places with Nashwa unmoved from 7/2.
There appears to have been a little support for With The Moonlight but that may be nothing more than liabilities rolling on from Buick's two winners.
Cazoo Champion
1554: I was hoping for a word from winning jockey Andrea Atzeni and I'm sure there will be one in time but there was no 'in-the-saddle' interview as ITV Racing head to the adverts ahead of starting their Cazoo Oaks build-up.
Moktassab can definitely be given another chance as he didn't appear to handle the track. He also found a little bit of trouble.
In the race to get to the best ground, some horses are being pushed further towards the stands' rail than might be ideal and several of the more fancied runners ended up on that side while the principals were far more central.
I wonder whether they might be better served staying towards the inside rather than risking getting involved in scrimmaging on the stands' side?
Here is Atzeni: "He obviously won very impressively as a two-year-old. He didn't run that great (in the Dante). His homework is obviously very good and we were hoping he would be a Derby horse last year.
"A little bit of juice in the ground helps and we were just trying to find out where we were with him.
"He stopped very quick at Doncaster. Maybe the gelding was the key although it was more than a step down in grade.
"He won quite nicely and he hit the line strong. I think 10 is his trip, looking at that."
Phantom plunge
1546: The City's Phantom is 14/1 from 20s.
"Hopefully he'll have a better position early on and he's still fairly handicapped," Ian Williams says of Cap Francais.
Prior to that, Williams revealed that Cap Francais didn't like the turns of Chester.
I've run out of time to look up anything meaningful about The City's Phantom with the last couple gonig in. He wasn't on my radar!
The City's Phantom takes the turn into the straight in second, Sweet Reward leads.
Cap Francais and Soto Sizzler towards the rear with Moktassab midfield with plenty of room.
He doesn't look happy on the track though and the action has developed in the middle where Royal Champion leads.
Royal Champion wins by about three lengths from Soto Sizzler and looks a class act in maintaining Roger Varian's fine record in this race.
Good Birthday was third.
The recently gelded winner was returned at 14/1.
Soto sizzling
1539: "I don't know!" David Menuisier responds when asked why Soto Sizzler has such a good course record.
"He's very light on his feet, maybe that is why. I don't know (if the cheekpieces will have the same effect). I don't know much today!
"It's just to get him to concentrate a bit more. He's in good shape but he went up 6lbs for his win the other day and maybe that's a bit much. Win or lose he's been a great servant and we'll enjoy it."
Harry Redknapp owns Moktassab and tells Chapman: "Hopefully he'll handle the track and run well.
"I think he's got a big chance. I'll be disappointed if he doesn't run well today."
Jason Weaver is with Cap Francais and thinks there's a bit more room for improvement from his current mark and that he's a bit better than his bare form from Chester.
He's very much an each-way play in my view which was fine at 9s but is less appealing at 11/2.
Worryingly, Royal Champion is drifting towards the sort of price that I might consider a bet. He's now 14s from 11s.
Grand ambitions
1525: Hukum could be on his travels with the Grand Prix de Paris mentioned as one of several potential targets around the world by Burrows.
He isn't in the Arc de Triomphe but the race was discussed by Burrows and Angus Gold earlier in the year and the trainer isn't ruling anything out.
He adds that he's versatile but does need some juice in the ground.
There will be more reaction to that success in the race reports which can be found on the news index or via the links at the top of this page.
The runners are already in the paddock for the Cazoo Handicap.
Moktassab is a pretty warm favourite at 5/2 but there's been several backed each-way against the favourite with Cap Francais and Love Is Golden both making less appeal at reduced odds than earlier in the day.
There's some potentially better news for supporters of Caradoc though as he's back out to 8s and 9s. It's a fairly lively betting heat but the layers aren't taking any chances with Royal Champion who doesn't really appeal at 11s; 16s would be more to my taste.
Hukum too hot in Dahlbury Coronation Cup
1515: Living Legend misses the start with High Definition only fourth to confound most pundits.
Pyledriver has Hukum on his outside with Manobo a length or so back in a share of third with High Definition on his inside.
Frankie Dettori is controlling the pace on the favourite, he's quite good at that.
Pyledriver and Hukum move towards the stands' rail and Hukum (11/4) picks up best.
Hukum wins by about five lengths with Pyledriver seeing off a sustained challenge from High Definition to take second.
"A messy race but a very worthy winner," says Luck.
A big win for Owen Burrows will advertise his skills as a trainer and another excellent ride from Jim Crowley.
Dixon has just highlighted some sectionals which were 'steady' for a Group One. Luck throws in that 'they were dawdling around Tattenham Corner' and Mangan describes it as 'a really frustrating Coronation Cup'.
Crowley is understandably delighted:
"I love this horse, he's so tough, so genuine, he does what it says on the tin. There isn't a horse that deserves it more."
Richard Hills: "He's an honest horse and he stays well, he quickened well."
It's a first Group One for the trainer who is rather more effusive.
Burrows: "Speechless. It's a wonderful, wonderful feeling. What a wonderful horse he is. Speechless.
"He's got a lot of speed, he travelled great and didn't he pick up?"
Pyle on?
1502: O'Brien kept Moore back for some time, giving him instructions, and High Defintion left the paddock some way behind the others.
Berry adds that Pyledriver looked in very good order in the paddock. It would be a big winner for the popular Muir / Grassick training team.
Muir is with Hislop: "It's hard to come back and win these races but he's entitled to be where he is.
"These are Group One performers (against him).
"I don't think I've ever seen him better. I think he's stronger and better than he was in Dubai. He's in good form."
Dixon expects Moore to lead and to be aggressive aboard High Definition and the extra two furlongs are expected to suit but I would prefer to see some confidence in the betting ring and it is noticeably absent.
Dixon would be disappointed if High Definition wins as he doesn't feel he's a genuine Group One horse having tried and failed so often. That's a little harsh imo.
The pundit goes on to say that '2/1 is a big price' about Pyledriver and he expects the reigning champion to be hard to beat.
Mangan agrees and adds 'this is his race to lose'.
Are you with them? Are you on?
Paddock expert Ken Pittersen is on ITV and gives positive mentions to Pyledriver and Hukum.
"He's a big rangy horse so we'll learn about the track but he seems to be in good form." O'Brien tells Matt Chapman of High Definition.
He adds that we definitely haven't seen the best of High Definition and that we'll be seeing plenty more of him this season but that we won't know until after the race whether they've run him back too soon.
Buick at the treble?
1452: There are bound to be some Buick multiples rolling onto Manobo and Charlie Appleby's runner could well be sent off as the sole favourite for the Group One Dahlbury Coronation Cup.
I'm keen to take the pair on though with last year's winner Pyledriver holding very obvious claims.
It's more of a stretch to make a case for High Definition but he has always been spoken of in glowing terms and posted a career best last time.
That was only 12 days ago but it could be that O'Brien and team have got to the bottom of whatever was ailing him last time and High Definition could well live up to his billing, albeit belatedly.
High Definition does look well according to Hislop and Berry with the latter saying this race 'could make or break him'; he also said 'he's still a colt at this stage'.
If you were to try and read between the lines, I'd suggest he's not a fan.
Nor are the punters as the bookies can't give High Defintion away. He's out at 7s and I was quite interested in him at 9/2.
I won't be having more on despite the old adage.
Hukum does have some fans and is as short as 11/4 (from 11/2). Berry isn't convinced that this track will play to his strengths without being given the time on air to expand on that.
Winning system?
1450: I wonder if it's proved profitable to back jockeys having their final ride before retirement?
That's a nice way to go out for Alain Cawley and he's sure to get a good reception.
Charming man
1438: Larado and Excel Power are the first two as they start the descent.
They are racing down the centre of the track. Totally Charming hits the front and wins by about a length and a half from Revich and Fantastic Fox.
Oh This Is Us went wrong late and was heavily eased; Luck comments that it didn't look good for him which is very sad news for Oh This Is Us and all those involved with him. He's been a grand campaigner.
Totally Charming was momentarily short of room but Buick had plenty of horse underneath him and he went four or five clear quite quickly before being closed down in the final few yards.
Boughey sent out Oscula to win the Woodcote Stakes last season and he has made rapid strides in his burgeoning career.
"We were going to wait for the Hunt Cup with him but we weren't sure we were going to get in and this was a nice pot," said the winning trainer.
"He's progressing and maturing and mentally he's a lot more relaxed now.
"He's bred to be a turf horse, I thought he'd handle it. There was a bit of a market move but that might have been the owner's stag-do behind me!
"It was a bit of a plan and it's nice when a plan comes off."
A quick word from Buick with Bell:
"The question mark was switching from the all-weather to turf but he took to it well.
"I wasn't sure I was going to go there (down the middle) but I'd say after that race, people will go there."
Time to Excel
1428: Archie Watson, trainer of Excel Power, spoke to Hislop: "He's won his last three and I hope he can progress into stakes races from a mark like this, he's well above average.
"He was a big raw horse last year and probably went through a weak spot in the middle of last season. He strengthened up a lot over the winter and he's been a different horse this season.
"He's a strong traveller and won his second race at Brighton, I hope he'd handle it (the track)."
Buick is aboard joint-favourite Totally Charming (Value Bet selection Carolus Magnus - advised at 12s - the other jolly) and they could provide a pointer to a race later on the card as they accounted for On A Session when winning at Lingfield last time.
Totally Charming's owner Angus McAlpine has spoken to Persad: "I think George (Boughey) has said he's going very well at home and there's no reason he can't transfer the all-weather form to turf."
Carolus Magnus is now the outright favourite, this has developed into quite a punt.
Looking for a Fox
1415: It was a little surprising to see the leaders stick to the rail in the opener given that everyone expected that part of the track to ride a bit slower and Buick has confirmed that the centre of the track, where he challenged, was a bit quicker.
Whether that remains the case through the day remains to be seen but I'd expect to see the field following his route in the second race at least.
I'm hoping that Fantastic Fox will be prominent among them.
He has something to prove but is priced accordingly. He's clearly talented and was sent off at 11/2 for a Royal Ascot handicap last season over 10 furlongs when racing far too keenly. He was duly dropped back to a mile and won over that trip in September.
He's been gelded during the close season and has had a run to blow away the cobwebs (when behind Excel Power) which I'm hoping will put him straight for this race.
He obviously needs to step up on that form but I'm hopeful that he should have more to offer as a four-year-old.
There was more from Buick on Racing TV, including this line on his Cazoo Oaks mount With The Moonlight.
"In all her races, even as a two-year-old, she was always galloping through the line and when she won the Pretty Polly, it was the same thing there. We'll find out (whether she stays)."
Buick motors home
1406: Buick speaks to Oli Bell on the way back to the paddock and says: "He's streetwise.
"We were drawn a little wide and didn't get involved in the speed battle. We used his experience. He's won well. He only won at Redcar last time but he put it all together.
"It's good ground and getting faster all the time."
Jack Channon with Rishi Persad: "I think he's shown that he's progressing, he's run to a decent level each start.
"He's been flying at home, his last performance was very smart and that little bit of ease in the ground has been key to him. You need to handle the prelims but you've got to have a good horse as well and he's certainly that."
Legend Of Xanadu was returned the 4/1 joint-favourite.
Legendary gamble
1358: Apparently "The Legend of Xanadu" was a single by Dave Dee, Dozy, Beaky, Mick & Tich that was number one in the UK in 1968 and Legend Of Xanadu has been well backed to hit the number one spot in the Woodcote.
Buick's mount is 4/1 from 7s and now joint-favourite.
Commander Straker got across from his wide draw to take the lead and goes two or three clear from Estate and Silencer.
The front three have gone across to the rail but Legend Of Xanadu challenges in the middle of the track and wins impressively.
Self Praise absolutely flew home, without ever looking like getting there, having been a long way adrift passing the two pole; when he gets his act together, he should be hard to stop.
Baker was saying experience could be the key to this race in the morning preview and the winner had plenty of that.
The immediate post-race analysis from Dixon suggests that Commander Straker set too strong a pace (and the second and third) and probably wasn't helped by having to be lit up to get across from his high draw.
Hopeful bid
1352: Silencer did have two handlers initially but has settled down while Blatant has taken the eye of ITV's paddock presenter Adele Mulrennan.
She also likes Kessaar Power but thinks he's one for further down the line as his price suggests.
She reports that one or two got a little excited initially but that they've settled down.
Self Praise is another with two handlers and he also sports a red hood (which will be taken off once at the post) suggesting he's not the easiest at this stage of his career.
Commander Straker looks 'a typically nice, racy sprinter' but Legend Of Xanadu is getting a little warm which is a potential negative although it is a warm day so he's probably worth the benefit of the doubt.
Ralph Beckett trains Keep Bidding and tells ITV Racing: "She's quite an athletic filly and I felt that this race might fit for her.
"Hopeful."
The runners have left the paddock and it won't be long now.
Can you see the wood for the trees?
1342: It's reasonable to say that the market is struggling to in the Cazoo Woodcote British EBF Stakes with Keep Bidding a little uneasy at the head (although she was 8s and 9s when betting opened).
Commander Straker and Estate aren't being backed off the boards but there is support for some of those at longer odds, including Blatant and Legend Of Xanadu with Self Praise and Shandy Star also showing 'blue' on Oddschecker.
The money for Shandy Star in particular is quite interesting and it's also QI that Silencer hasn't proved more popular given his connections.
Juveniles from Richard Hannon's yard aren't often wound up for their first start and it's encouraging that Silencer ran as well as he did at Salisbury (having got loose beforehand).
Assuming there's no repeat of such antics today (and there's going to be more for him to contend with than on debut), it's reasonable to hope / expect for some improvement and he'd be a tentative selection in a race in which his stable has a decent record over the years.
A fair breeze blows
1312: Lydia Hislop and Fran Berry are presenting from the home straight and the former spoke to Marquand and Doyle on their return from walking the track and reveals that the ground is walking 'a bit quicker than they were thinking it might'.
There is an evident wind blowing and that is currently behind the runners in the straight which the pair say could assist the front-runners with Berry commenting that it makes thinks a lot easier if they get an easy time on the front-end.
As we heard from the morning team, aspersions are being cast upon Tuesday's ability to see out this 12 furlong trip and there's a feeling that she will prove better suited by 10 furlongs, in the short-term at least.
Hislop introduces the Coronation Cup by saying "It's Pyledriver's isn't it?"
Berry is more circumspect but I'm sure we'll hear from both of them later in the piece but they've just handed over to Martin Dixon, Jane Mangan and Nick Luck.
There was a general consensus that 12 furlongs will not suit Tuesday while Luck also cast aspersions on the form of the three-year-old milers and Dixon agreed that he could buy into that view.
That hasn't put the punters off siding with Moore's mount who has to break from the dreaded one box.
The Hunt for winners
1259: There will have been two races from Huntingdon by the time the field are asked to enter the stalls for the Woodcote Stakes and the first of them will be underway shortly with the runners circling at the start.
This is likely to be the only blog entry that Huntingdon receives this afternoon unless something remarkable happens.
I passed on Paddy Power's market movers via twitter earlier and here are those of Sky Bet (the prices may have moved since these were originally sent):
14.00 – Shandy Star 10/1 from 12/1
- Commander Straker 9/2 from 3/1 overnight
14.35 – Carolus Magnus 6/1 from 8/1
- Excel Power 15/2 from 13/2
15.10 – Manobo 2/1 from 5/2
16.30 – Tuesday 7/1 from 17/2
17.10 – Honey Sweet 25/1 from 16/1
- Ever Given 2/1 from 10/3
17.45 – On A Session 11/2 from 12/1
Walking the course
1254: Live pictures from Epsom Downs are back on Racing TV and plenty of those set to be involved in the action have been out walking the course with Ryan Moore shown setting a good clip ahead of a group of six or seven others while Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle were in step.
That rain earlier in the week will ask one or two tactical questions of the jockeys as it has has resulted in slightly softer ground towards the inside rail.
Runners so often drift down the camber but they may not be wanting to do that this afternoon with a quicker strip down the centre of the track.
Colleagues David Ord and Ben Linfoot are both at Epsom this afternoon and the latter is unlikely to be seen walking the course having regretted donning a waistcoat this morning with the weather proving warmer than he expected.
Up for the Oaks?
1235: Emily Upjohn continues to drift for the Cazoo Oaks but I expect that to change as post time draws closer.
The Musidora Stakes winner did hit evens earlier in the week but is fairly widely available at 13/8.
Tuesday has been a fairly popular option against her and is 7/1 (from 9s) with Nashwa splitting the pair at 7/1.
In contrast, Concert Hall and Thoughts Of June are both 12/1 chances and there's little interest, it appears, in anything outside the top three at this stage.
It hasn't been plain sailing for the fancied runners in the Oaks lately with only two favourites obliging in the last decade but the last six have all returned single figure SPs.
Prior to that there were some surprises with Quality winning at 50/1 and Talent and Was obliging at 20s.
The last named happens to be the dam of Concert Hall.
This is what Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield had to say earlier in the day: “Despite Emily Upjohn’s brilliance in the Musidora, she’s easy enough to back while stable companion Nashwa has been popular as has Irish raider Tuesday.
"Nashwa doesn’t yet have the same CV as Emily Upjohn, but punters seem happy enough to support her believing in the potential of her Newbury trial win."
Sweet Cara line
1210: I thought I'd missed the Racing TV preview of the Cazoo Handicap but they threw a curve ball in taking the Oaks out of order.
Nevison and Baker both liked Caradoc but Ed Walker's hold-up performer has attracted support and Nevison was less than enthused about the 8/1 currently available.
Their morning run through the card has concluded but there should be plenty more to come with a little under two hours remaining until the Woodcote Stakes.
I don't think they covered the Poundland Surrey Stakes in which Dawn Of Liberation is a pretty warm order, nor the closing Cazoo Derby Festival Handicap.
The field for the finale is down to 16 (from 17) so keep an eye on the non-runners if you're considering an each-way bet.
Oddly, the two absentees today were drawn 16 of 16 and 17 of 17.
Ho hum.
I had been hoping to see some support for Lord Rapscallion but it hasn't, as yet, materialised. There's still time.
One horse who has been well supported is On A Session; he has halved in price from 14s.
On A Session has run some consistently good races for the Barrons but he actually hasn't won a race since joining them or, indeed, for three years (almost to the day). He was third in last year's renewal and should be on the premises but I'd rather throw my money (away) on a couple at bigger prices.
Classic claims
1204: The Racing TV team are discussing the Cazoo Oaks and are raising plenty of questions.
Doubts have been raised as to whether Emily Upjohn will settle well enough on the way to post to give herself the best chance of winning while Tuesday's stamina has been called into question.
Tuesday, who was as short as 4/1 for this race after the Newmarket Guineas, also has to overcome her draw in the dreaded 'one box'.
Like High Definition, Tuesday was also in action just 12 days ago when chasing home the impressive Homeless Songs in the Curragh Guineas but it's reasonable to assume that neither horse would be lining up today unless O'Brien felt they were ready to do themselves justice.
Thoughts Of June and Tranquil Lady have both got their supporters as pundits look to find a runner outside the top four to side with. Thoughts Of June beat a stablemate of Tranquil Lady's at Chester who has gone on to win a Group One in France and it's easy to envisage her hitting the frame as she made all around the Roodee and could adopt similar tactics this afternoon.
She's game and may not be the easiest to peg back but appears to be the stable's third string with Wayne Lordan in the saddle; Seamie Heffernan rides Concert Hall with Moore on Tuesday.
Nevison is with Emily Upjohn unless 'there's something really concerning' in the preliminaries while Baker is with Nashwa.
Royal winner
1148: Roger Varian has won the Cazoo Handicap three times in eight years which makes Royal Champion of particular interest.
It is a concern that Royal Champion wasn't gelded until after his reappearance in March but the operation could well help the lightly raced gelding fulfil the obvious promise of his first couple of starts.
Royal Champion was sent off at just 8/1 for last season's Dante Stakes and is 11/1 to win this handicap.
There are obviously runners with more obvious claims and they include the favourite Moktassab who has been very well backed en route to winning both starts since joining William Knight.
A 5lb rise for that latest win may underestimate him and he's definitely the right favourite in a race where most of the field are relatively exposed by comparison.
Cap Francais is another runner to have benefitted from a change of scenery having finished first and second on his latest two runs for Ian Williams. He's relatively exposed and the handicapper hasn't overreacted by any means and I'd be hopeful of a big run from Cap Francais and he's my idea of the each-way bet in the race with Betfair, Paddy Power and Sky Bet all paying down to fifth.
There has been some support for Love Is Golden (11s to 13/2) while course specialist Soto Sizzler is sure to be popular with Ryan Moore in the plate.
Coronation chicken
1125: The first Group One of the day is the Dahlbury Coronation Cup which sees the popular Pyledriver defend his crown.
Manobo is alongside him at the top of the market and looked very good at Meydan before, possibly, not seeing out the trip in the Gold Cup which has surely played a part (along with injuries to other horses) in connections running him in this race.
He's a fascinating runner in an intriguing race in which the highly touted High Definition could finally live up to his reputation.
High Definition comes into this contest on the back of a career best but that run was only 12 days ago and there has to be a doubt about how he's come out of it and whether he will be able to post an improved run - which will be needed to win this - off the back of it.
Last season was more or less a write off for High Definition following an early setback and he never produced what he was deemed to be capable of but his close second to Alenquer was highly encouraging and it would be foolish to think that he couldn't yet reach the heights he was once deemed capable of scaling.
His price has to be a factor and he's drifted (ominously arguably) to 11/2 and I am tempted at those odds. I'm happy enough to take on Manobo at 2/1 and would be looking at dutching High Definition and Pyledriver, or something along those lines anyway.
The race isn't only about those three with Hukum, a regular winner at Group Three level, also well worth a mention in what could be an important year for Owen Burrows with Shadwell having reduced their string.
Baker is with Manobo while the injured Martin Dwyer opts for Pyledriver - no surprises there!
No repeat for Corazon
1108: There is a significant non-runner in the World Pool Handicap in Corazon Espinado.
Simon Dow's charge won the race last year and has finished in the first three on eight of his 10 starts on the Downs so looked a key player but his absence also means that the field is down to 15 runners from 16 (which happens to be the stall Corazon Espinado was due to break from).
Keep an eye on those extra place offers and make sure they're not affected but the standard terms will obviously reduce to just the three places.
There is another course specialist in the race and that is last year's Diomed winner Oh This Is Us and the Richard Hannon trained 'veteran' is the 13/2 second favourite behind Totally Charming with Value Bet tip Carolus Magnus at 7s.
I had thought there would be more interest in the progressive Excel Power who has earned top-weight.
Owner Mohammed Rashid has enjoyed a degree of success at this meeting before with Dance And Dance finishing second in the Diomed in 2012 before finishing a close sixth in this race two years later; I think I may have backed him that day.
Nevison is with another recent eyecatcher in Revich who he feels is hitting form at the right time.
Blatant chance
1057: George Baker thinks experience will play 'a massive part' in the Cazoo Woodcote British EBF Stakes and Blatant, one of the more experienced runners has attracted market support with Paddy Power.
Current favourite Keep Bidding doesn't tick that box having just had one eyecatching run at Nottingham and Dave Nevison isn't impressed with her form or that of Legend Of Xanadu and he prefers the form of Blatant (he also makes it very clear he's not a big fan of juvenile races at this time of year).
The draw is a key talking point with Tom Stanley concerned about stall 12 for Commander Straker but Baker believes Rossa Ryan will be able to make the most of his mount's experience and that it won't be a problem in this contest (whereas in a handicap...).
The triumvirate on Racing TV are in danger of reaching a consensus on the opener and Baker adds that he expects them to race more towards the centre of the track than we are often used to seeing and that ties in with what Cooper was telling viewers earlier this morning.
Shoot for the Moon
1041: 'Shoot for the moon and even if you miss, you'll land among the stars' is a popular quote and one that's rightly been referenced in the headline for Punting Pointers.
Moon De Vega is one of four selections for Rory Delargy and Dave Massey at Epsom and they are not alone in fancying Beckett's filly who, I was told by a friend earlier, has also been selected by Tony Calvin of Betfair and Andy Holding.
As the Punting Pointers team explain, Moon De Vega didn't enjoy any luck in running at Chester and her effort there can be marked up but as her popularity testifies, it hasn't been missed.
Sky Bet are one of two firms paying down to fourth so if you shoot for the moon and miss, you may still hit the extra place.
Betfair's Barry Orr is the latest to talk on the course to Rachel Casey and tells her that the money for the Oaks has been for Nashwa - it's about 4/6 that the Gosdens lift the trophy with Emily Upjohn a very strong favourite.
Orr puts up Kawida and says he's going to have a place bet on her on the Betfair exchange.
Manobo and Pyledriver are 2/1 joint-favourites for the Dahlbury Coronation Cup with the interesting High Definition at 4/1.
Changingoftheguard is the one in the Derby that has proved popular through the week with Betfair.
Big two dominate Cazoo Oaks betting
1030: Good morning and welcome to the blog.
I hope everyone is relaxed, well and in festive cheer on this Jubilee weekend. The weather looks pretty decent at Epsom and we're all set for what promises to be an enjoyable day's racing.
Emily Upjohn is on the drift for the Cazoo Oaks and is around the 13/8 mark with stablemate Nashwa a 7/2 chance.
Then come three fillies from Ballydoyle with Tuesday, Concert Hall and Thoughts Of June available at 9s, 11s and 14s.
John Gosden and Aidan O'Brien have been responsible for nine of the last 10 winners of this Classic with only Ralph Beckett breaking the duopoly.
Epsom's clerk of the course Andrew Cooper is talking to Racing TV about how difficult a spring it has been for racecourses with the lack of rain and the amount of irrigation they've all had to do.
Epsom had 9mm of rain on Monday and another 3mm on Tuesday.
"The rain earlier in the week definitely left us, in the short term, very much on the softer side and for now I'm calling it good, good to soft in places and the softer side is on this side (nearer the inside running rail in the straight with the camber).
"This place dries quicker on the top side and very rarely gets soft on the top side, sometimes when you're irrigating you try and balance that up but with the rain earlier in the week we felt we just had to leave it alone. The strip we're on tomorrow for the Derby is arguably a shade quicker than we're on today and I wouldn't be surprised if we saw some action in the middle of the track.
"The forecasts do keep changing, especially as far as tomorrow is concerned. We were told we'd miss the showers but there's now an increasing chance of showers tomorrow morning and again later in the day but it's been chopping and changing all week.
"You can't predict it."