Diamonds set to sparkle and cause massive Oaks upset
Published:
The waiting is almost over ahead of what’s set to be a thrilling two days of racing at Epsom. But while the Classic features are sure to dominate the headlines there’s plenty to keep an eye on elsewhere.
Friday’s card promises to serve up plenty of intriguing fare with the Woodcote Stakes, Diomed Stakes and the Epsom Mile set to act as a pulsating undercard to the Oaks.
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Here’s our take on the action with a few best bets thrown in for good measure.
Barring a couple of winners at double figure odds in the last eight years, this race tends to go the way of those highest up in the betting.
We think that’ll be the case again here with Examiner making the most appeal.
The Stuart Williams-trained runner put in a fine run on his seasonal reappearance at the end of April and if reproducing that kind of form he’ll be the one to beat, especially with the expected track conditions in his favour.
This contest represents a big test of all the two-year-olds set to line-up with Epsom’s unique undulations and the soft ground both major considerations.
But when push comes to shove we’re plumping for trainer Hugo Palmer to get off to the perfect start ahead of what could be an incredible weekend for his yard.
Hyperfocus shaped well on good-to-soft ground when winning by five lengths on debut at Leicester and looks to be the one to focus on in amongst the quartet heading the market.
If the money is right then Ralph Beckett’s Diamonds Pour Moi has this year’s Oaks sewn up and Minding may as well stay at home.
Like the rain, the cash for the Cheshire Oaks third just keeps pouring in with the adverse weather a huge contributing factor.
Connections are hopeful of a big run and so are we, especially given the fact that Beckett has already masterminded 20/1 and 33/1 victories in this renewal.
The daughter of Derby winner Pour Moi has a length to make up on third favourite Somehow, and perhaps a whole lot more on the jolly on form. But as her handler has shown in the past it’s not wise to write-off his hopefuls.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
