Unbeaten Desert Flower heads Oaks field
Desert Flower will face eight rivals as she bids for a second Classic strike in Friday's Betfred Oaks at Epsom.
The Charlie Appleby-trained filly extended her unbeaten record to five with an all-the-way success in last month's 1000 Guineas and she is a short-priced favourite to take the step up to a mile and a half in her stride.
The supplemented Elwateen, who finished a fine fourth in the Guineas for Saeed bin Suroor on what was just her second ever start, also takes a major step up in trip.
Aidan O'Brien has trained 10 Oaks winners so far and he fields three this time, with Chester Oaks winner Minnie Hauk, Lingfield victor Giselle and Musidora winner Whirl all going for gold.
Qilin Queen and Revoir, first and second in a Newbury Listed contest last time out, renew their rivalry for Ed Walker and Ralph Beckett respectively, while Joseph O'Brien's Wemighttakedlongway and outsider Go Go Boots for John and Thady Gosden complete the line up.
French raider Calandagan leads seven declarations for the Betfred Coronation Cup on the same card.
The four-year-old was narrowly beaten on his seasonal bow in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in April, but is a clear market leader for Francis-Henri Graffard in the Group One heat.
O'Brien saddles two with Jan Brueghel and Continuous, the last two St Leger winners, both lining up.
Marco Botti's Giavellotto was fifth in the Sheema Classic and tries his luck again, with Ancient Wisdom, Bellum Justum and the Beckett-trained You Got To Me, winner of last year's Irish Oaks and now in the Amo Racing silks, the other contenders.
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The Irish Sun
10 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘She'll relish the extra half mile' – Templegate's massive 11-1 NAP on Oaks day at Epsom
TEMPLEGATE takes on day one of the Derby Festival confident of bashing the Epsom bookies. He's delivered his full Oaks tip, 1-2-3 prediction and runner-by-runner guide for your viewing pleasure Advertisement Epsom Derby 2025 free bets: Best new sign up offers - HERE And below he goes through all his picks and big-race verdicts for the epic seven-race card. ELWATEEN (4.00 Epsom, nap) She ran a mighty race when beaten just two lengths by Desert Flower in the 1,000 Guineas last time. It was a doubly good effort given it was just her second run and she was coming back from a nine-month break. She still looked pretty green but improved as the race went on and gives the impression she'll relish this extra half-mile. She definitely looks overpriced. Advertisement GIAVELLOTTO (2.40 Epsom, nb) He clocked a personal best when winning the Hong Kong Vase over this trip at tricky Sha Tin two runs ago. That built nicely on his Yorkshire Cup and Princess Of Wales's victories last season. Being able to handle Sha Tin makes you think Epsom will be fine and he's a genuine Group 1 performer over this trip on any ground. MAXIMISED (2.05 Epsom, treble) He tanked along when winning on debut at Haydock 15 days ago. He showed good pace over this trip and can improve. He'll be hard to beat if handling this very different track. Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing Templegate's Epsom verdicts 1.30 REBEL'S GAMBLE can be forgiven a blip at Ascot last time when the drop to 6f didn't suit. He was an impressive Listed winner on his last try at this trip and Karl Burke is in form. Advertisement Diego Ventura battled to score at Longchamp on the back of a good Newmarket comeback. He looks capable of better. Hallasan was close to Rebel's Gamble at Ascot and is another who will appreciate moving up to this trip. This slightly slower surface is another plus. Formal looked rusty in the Fred Darling on debut for Andrew Balding in April and should do a lot better with that under her belt. 2.05 Advertisement MAXIMIZED tanked along when winning on debut at Haydock 15 days ago. He showed good pace over this trip and can improve. He'll be hard to beat if handling this very different track. Havana Hurricane was an impressive debut winner at undulating Goodwood so should be at home at Epsom. That was over 5f but he's bred for a bit further and can figure. Advertisement Logi Bear got off the mark on his first crack at this distance at Newmarket three weeks ago. He showed lots of pace and has more to come. Norman's Cay has had a break since his Brockelsby win but would be dangerous if building on that along with fellow Hannon runner Raakeb who will appreciate this trip. 2.40 GIAVELLOTTO clocked a personal best when winning the Hong Kong Vase over this trip at tricky Sha Tin two runs ago. Advertisement That built nicely on his Yorkshire Cup and Princess Of Wales's victories last season. Being able to handle Sha Tin makes you think Epsom will be fine and he's a genuine Group 1 performer over this trip on any ground. Calandagan is short with good reason after his close second in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan last time when not getting the breaks. He's a Group 2 winner over this trip but he's looking for his first victory at the highest level. Advertisement Jan Breughel won the St Leger last season and didn't enjoy dropping back to 1m2f for his comeback at The Curragh when only second. He'll prefer this trip but things may still happen a bit quick. You Got To Me cost connections £4.8m despite finishing last in the Leger. She won the Irish Oaks over this trip and was fourth at Epsom. She may just need this first run in nine months. Advertisement 3.15 HAVE SECRET caught the eye when running on strongly into second at Ripon last time. That was over a similar trip and built on a good effort at York. He likes this trip and a repeat would take him very close. Advertisement The booking of Ryan Moore is a plus for Botanical who has been below par in a couple of Listed races this season. Dropping back into a handicap gives him a place shout. Mutaawid took a step forward when winning at Newmarket last time. He was right at home on the rattling fast ground there and will be a threat if handling what are likely to be much slower conditions. Advertisement A 10lb rise in the weights makes things a bit tougher too. Defiance was smart before going wrong at Royal Ascot last year and is worth a market check. Ashariba ended last season with a battling win at Newmarket. He goes up in class here but looks the type to continue to improve this season. Akecheta has bits and pieces of form in Ireland and has place claims if taking to this tricky track. Advertisement 4.00 ELWATEEN ran a mighty race when beaten just two lengths by Desert Flower in the 1,000 Guineas last time. It was a doubly good effort given it was just her second run and she was coming back from a nine-month break. She still looked pretty green but improved as the race went on and gives the impression she'll relish this extra half-mile. She definitely looks overpriced. Advertisement Desert Flower sets the standard after her impressive Guineas success. She has scored on fast and slow ground and there are stayers in the family so there is every chance her stamina will hold at the business end. Aidan O'Brien fires three darts and, on paper, Ryan Moore's mount Minnie Hauk has a fair bit to find despite winning the Cheshire Oaks last time. She is bred to stay and handling Chester usually bodes well for Epsom's camber. Advertisement This is just her fourth run so there's more to come. Giselle didn't have a lot to beat in the Lingfield Trial but she did it nicely and is another who should be fine with the track. Wayne Lordan rides Whirl who took the Musidora nicely at York. She should appreciate this longer trip and is another with an each-way shout. Advertisement Qilin Queen just got the better of Revoir in a Newbury Listed race 20 days ago. There won't be a lot between them again with the latter looking the best prospect over this longer distance. 4.35 TWO TEMPTING won this 12 months ago and tuned up for his defence with an impressive win at Chester last time. Advertisement We know this trip and track are ideal and he'll give it another good go. Flight Plan looks as good as ever when winning the Thirsk Hunt Cup from the front last time. Pacepushers can prosper at Epsom too and he'll be competitive despite his hefty weight. Mr Baloo ran a good race when third at Newmarket last month. He likes this trip and should be right there again. Advertisement Oisin Murphy takes over on Mirsky who got his head in front at Thirsk 20 days ago. He likes this trip and won't be far away. Ebt's Girl is more than capable at this level and was just pipped in a decent contest at Newbury. 5.10 MISS INFORMATION looked a nice prospect when winning at Newmarket over this trip last time. Advertisement She showed good pace to leave her rivals behind and goes on any ground. Andrew Balding's filly scored here last season so there are no track worries. Rhoscolyn has won this race twice, including last season. He caught the eye finishing well at Chester on Saturday and will be right there again. Darkness was value for a bit further than a length when winning at Thirsk last time but wouldn't want any more rain. Advertisement Local Hero is coming down the weights and is best over this distance so can't be ignored. Stanage may not have quite seen out the mile at York last time and could get closer back over this distance. Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Advertisement Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
RTÉ News
13 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Green Impact returns to winning ways at Leopardstown to set up Irish Derby bid
Green Impact made the most of having his sights lowered when stamping his class on the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Glencairn Stakes at Leopardstown, to set up a second Classic bid and also give this weekend's Epsom hopefuls a boost. Winner of a Group Two here last year from Derby favourite Delacroix, Jessica Harrington's charge finished sixth to Charlie Appleby's also-Epsom bound Ruling Court in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on his reappearance and was the 11-8 favourite to take advantage of calmer waters in this nine-furlong Listed event. Sent straight to the front by Shane Foley, the Marc Chan-owned Green Impact saw off his long-time pursuer Azada before then being challenged by Currawood, but had kept enough up his sleeve to prevail by half a length. Harrington revealed the Curragh for the Irish Derby on 28 June will be the target, saying: "Nobody wanted to go on and he only dosses in front. Shane said he was squeezing him along all the way. When the other horse came to him it looked like he was going to go past him, but he keeps lengthening. "All being well he'll go straight to the Irish Derby. Shane can't wait to see him run over a mile and a half. "I know he's by Wootton Bassett, but he's out of a Galileo mare so you'd hope he will stay. "I think he can go on any ground. That's ideal for him, it's good ground and there is no yielding in it." Johnny Murtagh has big-race ambitions of his own for Zahrann after the promising colt came from last to first to land the King George V Cup. A close second on his Navan debut before going one better at cramped odds at Cork, the son of Night Of Thunder – who races in the colours of the late Aga Khan – faced a significant rise in class for this mile-and-a-half Listed contest and was given plenty of time to find his feet during the early stages by jockey Ben Coen. He was still at the rear of the nine-runner field rounding the home turn, but despite showing signs of inexperience when asked to mount his challenge, the 5-2 shot displayed a smart change of gear to run down his rivals and he was ultimately well on top as he passed the post two and a quarter lengths in front. "He came out of Cork really well and we were happy coming here today. We thought a mile and a half would help him as well. He's not a slow horse, but he's learning all the time," said Murtagh. "The King Edward VII over a mile and a half at Royal Ascot could be a possibility, depending on how he comes out of this race, and if he won that you could definitely think about supplementing him for the Irish Derby. "We'll take it race by race, but the team supplemented one for the English Derby (Midak). He's a progressive three-year-old and I said to them this is our Calandagan, who won the race in Ascot last year and was able to rock up in York (Juddmonte International) and in those big mile-and-a-quarter races. "I'm hopeful this horse can keep improving right through the year and get right to the top." Moments Of Joy may have earned herself a place on Aidan O'Brien's Royal Ascot team after upsetting better-fancied stablemate Minerva in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden. Minerva, a 1.5million guineas yearling purchase in October and a daughter of Frankel, was the 8-15 favourite to make a successful start to her career in the hands of Ryan Moore, with fellow Ballydoyle runner Moments Of Joy a 3-1 shot under Wayne Lordan. While Minerva looked all at sea from an early stage, Justify filly Moments Of Joy battled her way to the front in the home straight and found more once challenged by Little Sure Shot to emerge victorious by half a length. Minerva got the hang of things late on to finish four lengths further behind in third. Ballydoyle representative Chris Armstrong said: "Aidan felt they were two lovely fillies coming here and they have both never been away. "Ryan's filly was very green, but he really likes her. Even in the parade ring she was very green, but the way she finished off was a positive. Wayne's filly was more professional. They went a solid pace, and it caught them out early. "We'll see how she comes out of this and she could be one for the Chesham. She's a fine, big, scopey filly with a great temperament and there would be no trouble stepping up in trip."
The Irish Sun
17 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Templegate's ‘overpriced' Oaks tip, 1-2-3 prediction and complete runner-by-runner guide to £570,000 Epsom Classic
TEMPLEGATE delivers his complete guide, tip and 1-2-3 prediction for the awesome Epsom Oaks below. Nine of the finest three-year-old fillies in the land go to post for the prestigious Group 1 run over 1m4f. 1 Desert Flower has been the long-time favourite for the Oaks on the back of her dominant 1,000 Guineas victory Credit: PA He goes through each of the runners, rates them out of five stars and delivers his big-race tip at the bottom. Aidan O'Brien has dominated the Classic trials - but one legendary jockey reckons this Back any horse you fancy by clicking their odds below and check out the The action will be live on ITV1 at 4pm Friday. Epsom Derby 2025 free bets: Best new sign up offers - HERE Templegate's Oaks runner-by-runner guide and ratings DESERT FLOWER 4 FLOWER in bloom. Charlie Appleby's filly has yet to taste defeat in five starts and kept that run going with a smooth success in the 1,000 Guineas on comeback. Most read in Horse Racing She was a brilliant juvenile and took the Group 1 Fillies' Mile by five lengths after the May Hill at Donny. There's little doubt she's the best filly in the race with stamina the only question mark. She wasn't stopping at Newmarket and isn't a keen sort so isn't likely to pull her chance away. At first glance, her breeding does seem to scream a mile and the softish ground may play to more of a stayer. Despite that her class will take her close under William Buick who is a big-race jockey. ELWATEEN 5 TEEN dream. We have only seen this daughter of Dubawi twice but she has created a big impression. She won at Kempton on debut in August before Saeed Bin Suroor put her away. Her next outing was a really promising fourth in the 1,000 Guineas where she was definitely doing her best work in the closing stages. She was a little green when the pace hotted up and she will have learned plenty before being supplemented for this test. Her dam stayed 1m2f strongly in soft ground so there's every chance she'll relish this trip. Saeed is something of a forgotten trainer these days but he's got two Oaks wins from his halcyon days so knows what it takes to win. GISELLE 3 ELLE of a filly. She only had two rivals to beat in the Lingfield Oaks Trial on comeback last month but did it by nine easy lengths. She handled the track so should be fine at Epsom too. She is one of the few in the field who has no stamina doubts and there's a lot more to come. She scored on dead ground as a juvenile and has a lively each-way chance for Aidan O'Brien. GO GO BOOTS 2 KICK off Boots. Considering Oisin Murphy is on board for the Gosdens, she is big price for all she has a bit to find on form. Her third in the Musidora at York last time was far from a disgrace. She looked very much a work in progress on the Knavesmire and ran around a bit in the closing stages. That's not what you want to see before tackling tricky Epsom and she looks more suited to the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot next month. MINNIE HAUK 3 HAUK has to fly. Ryan Moore's choice of the Aidan O'Brien trio crossed the line with plenty left when winning the Cheshire Oaks on comeback. She will definitely come on for that run and is guaranteed to see out the extra furlong here. Handling Chester often means Epsom will be fine too. On the negative side, she didn't beat a lot on the Roodee so will need to fine more form-wise although O'Brien runners often take a big step up for a run. QILIN QUEEN 2 QUEEN won't be crowned. She is progressing nicely for Ed Walker and battled all the way to win a Newbury Listed race last time. That was on the nod from Revoir who also lines up today. That was over 1m2f when she went from the front and just held on so stamina may be an issue. Either way, it's a fair leap to be winning a Classic on current form. REVOIR 3 REVVED up. The line came a stride too soon when she finished second to Qilin Queen at Newbury last time but Ralph Beckett's filly looks a hotter prospect. She came home strongly so should be suited by this step up in distance and has improvement to come after just two starts. In-form Beckett's fillies often come on significantly for a run and she's right in the each-way picture. WEMIGHTAKEDLONGWAY 2 WAY out. Add an extra star if the ground is riding genuinely soft as she relished testing conditions when winning a Navan Group 3 over 1m2f last time. That was a big improvement on her effort in the Ballysax on comeback where she looked a mile off Oaks standard. She has a fair bit to find on form so needs that downpour. WHIRL 4 GIVE it a Whirl. She may yet prove to be the best of the Aidan O'Brien runners after her easy Musidora win at York last time. That has been a useful pointer to the Oaks and she had lots of running left at the end of 1m2f so stamina shouldn't be an issue. She seems to handle any ground and looks capable of improvement under Wayne Lordan. Templegate's Oaks tip and 1-2-3 prediction SAEED Bin Suroor has got an El of a chance in the £570,000 Betfred Oaks. ELWATEEN (4.00 Epsom, nap) caught the eye with a staying-on fourth in the 1,000 Guineas and can blossom over this longer trip. She won't mind a bit of cut in the ground and can go close at decent odds under Jim Crowley. Desert Flower showed her class when winning the Guineas at Newmarket and will be hard to beat if lasting home — which isn't guaranteed on pedigree. Ryan Moore has chosen Minnie Hauk of the Aidan O'Brien trio but there isn't much between her, Giselle and Whirl who all have each-way chances. 1st Elwateen 2nd Desert Flower 3rd Whirl FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
