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16:00 Epsom

Good To Soft

Betfred Oaks (Group 1) (Fillies)

First Prize: £354437.5
1m 4f 6y
Class 1
9 runners

ITV

View Course

Runners: 9 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Light rain

1 (2)

A La Prochaine 30 days

J: James Doyle

T: Ralph Beckett

Form: 1-3

OR: 98

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Filly

Form

She has an attractive German pedigree and was bought for 550,000gns as a yearling; won at Newbury (1m, soft) last October on sole 2yo start and beaten about 3l by Amelia Earhart when third in the Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester (11.3f, good) on last month's reappearance; she still looked a work in progress last time (slowly away and outpaced turning for home) and could have lots more to offer; slow ground might aid her cause; interesting.

2 (4)

Amelia Earhart 30 days

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Form: 2241-1

OR: 105

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Filly

Form

Built upon previous promise (including on soft ground) when easily winning a maiden at Leopardstown (1m, yielding) last October on her fifth start, and reappeared with 2l win in Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester (11.3f, good) where she wore a hood and blinkers for the first time (retained today); she's followed the same route on her last two races as Minnie Hauk, who won this for Ballydoyle 12 months ago, and Ryan Moore rides; major player.

3 (9)

1 tip

Cameo 27 days

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Form: 314-51 D

OR: 104

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Filly

Form

7f maiden winner (soft to heavy) who took a big step forward with a convincing win in the Listed Oaks Trial at Lingfield (11.6f, good to firm) last month on her sixth start, which was her first run beyond 1m; Ryan Moore was on board last time and rides stablemate Amelia Earhart this afternoon, but she was certainly impressive at Lingfield and is unexposed at the trip; chance.

4 (6)

K Sarra 23 days

J: Rossa Ryan

T: Ralph Beckett

Form: 1-03

OR: 100

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Filly

Form

Sister to connections' 10.2f/1m4f Group 2 winner Pride Of Arras; comfortable win at Southwell (1m, AW) last November on sole 2yo start and the drop to 7f was against her in the Fred Darling at Newbury (good) on her return; left that run well behind when staying on for third in the Group 3 Musidora at York (10.2f, good) last month, beaten just over 2l by Legacy Link; looks set to relish this step up in trip and she could be a serious force.

OUR TIP

5 (1)

1 tip

Legacy Link 23 days

J: Colin Keane

T: John & Thady Gosden

Form: 314-1

OR: 105

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Filly

Form

All four starts on good to firm/good ground; rallied for fourth in a hot running of the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket last October on her final 2yo run, and she reappeared with a hard-fought win in the Group 3 Musidora at York (10.2f), asserting close home; there is every chance that she will stay 1m4f and her pedigree provides optimism that she will be effective on slow ground; dam is a sister to Frankel; firmly in calculations.

6 (7)

On Message 13 days

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Form: 451-13 C

OR: 99

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Filly

Form

Won Wolverhampton novice (7f, AW) last October on third start and followed up on handicap/seasonal debut here (8.5f, good) in April; kept on strongly for 1l third in Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood (1m2f, good) 13 days ago; she has plenty to find on form but the step up in trip could prompt further improvement and she might not be a forlorn hope each-way.

7 (3)

Sugar Island 30 days

J: Ronan Whelan

T: A P O’Brien

Form: 5391-4

OR: 104

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Filly

Form

Third in Group 2 May Hill at Doncaster (1m, good to soft) last September and readily made all in Group 3 Staffordstown Stud Stakes at the Curragh (1m, heavy) in October; she could improve for last month's comeback run in the Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester (11.3f, good) but has work to do with stablemate Amelia Earhart and A La Prochaine on that form; others preferred.

8 (5)

Thundering On 41 days

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Form: 42-21

OR: 107

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Filly

Form

By Frankel and dam won the 1m2f Group 1 Pretty Polly for connections; she's improved with each of her four starts and comfortably won the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes at Navan (1m2f, good to yielding) in April when upped in trip; has shown promise on heavy ground; powered clear in the final furlong last time, providing hope that she will stay 1m4f, and she's one to consider.

9 (8)

1 tip

Venetian Lace 33 days

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Johnston

Form: 4362-3

OR: 110

W: 9st 2lb

Age: 3 yo Filly

Form

0-6 since debut win on AW last June and unproven on slow ground; however, she was a fine second in a red-hot running of the Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket last October and reappeared with an excellent third in the 1,000 Guineas there (1m) last month; made the running on her last two starts; by Derby winner Masar and rallied in the closing stages last time, so it's possible that this sizeable step up in trip will suit; not ruled out.

Terms and conditions

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Betting Forecast

10/1 A La Prochaine, 15/8 Amelia Earhart, 8/1 Cameo, 14/1 K Sarra, 11/4 Legacy Link, 25/1 On Message, 33/1 Sugar Island, 6/1 Thundering On, 12/1 Venetian Lace

Verdict

Having dug deep to win the Musidora over 10.2f at York, the signs are promising for LEGACY LINK regarding today’s step up to 1m4f, and she can provide the Gosden stable with a fifth Oaks win since 2014. Aidan O’Brien has won seven of the last 11 runnings and Cheshire Oaks winner Amelia Earhart is a strong candidate under Ryan Moore, but bigger dangers could come from two of Ralph Beckett’s three runners. K Sarra stayed on strongly for third behind Legacy Link in the Musidora and may be the most serious threat to the selection, while Cheshire Oaks third A La Prochaine also appeals as a type who will continue to progress and she might be able to turn the tables on Amelia Earhart. Thundering On impressed at Navan last time and could also be involved.[Ben Hutton]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Legacy Link

POSTDATA:

Cameo

TOPSPEED:

Venetian Lace