Oaks and Derby thread! 5/6 th of June

Sariska is the lengthening 3-1 favourite for Friday's Investec Oaks and heads to post one pound behind Rainbow View on Timeform's ratings.Youmzain, 5-2 on Betfair for the other Group One contest, the Investec Coronation Cup, is six pounds clear of hsi rivals with the same firm.

Timeform spokesman, Kieran Packman, commented: "Sariska has plenty to recommend her as a progressive sort with an impressive Musidora win to her name, but Rainbow View clearly wasn't herself on Guineas day and our view is that she's worth the benefit of the doubt, given her excellent juvenile form.

"That pair are some way clear of the remainder on ratings, with Midday, although respected with course form and proven stamina, having plenty to find on her Lingfield win, which was run in a slow time.

"As for the Coronation Cup, Youmzain should prove difficult to beat, as for all his strike rate of late doesn't inspire confidence, he has the stand-out performances on ratings, twice placed in the King George and the Arc as well as his second in this race last year."

To win the Epsom Oak: 3-1 Sariska, 7-2 Rainbow View, Midday, 13-2 Phillipina, 11 1/2-1 Perfect Truth, 15 ½-1 Oh Goodness Me, 33-1 Wadaat, 59-1 High Heeled, 89-1 The Miniver Rose, 159-1 Tottie.

To win the Coronation Cup : 5-2 Youmzain, 11-2 Look Here, Ask, 7-1 Duncan, 9-1 Buccellati, Frozen Fire, 12 1/2-1 Eastern Anthem, 37-1 Expresso Star

Timeform Ratings for Investec Oaks (Weight adjusted):

Rainbow View 131

Sariska 130p

Midday 123

Wadaat 120

Phillipina 119p

Timeform Ratings for Investec Coronation Cup (Weight adjusted):

Youmzain 145

Look Here 139

Ask 139

Eastern Anthem 138

Magnier defends strong Ballydoyle Derby entry


LEADING owner John Magnier has defended the decision of Ballydoyle to make multiple entries for the Investec Derby.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien has nine of the 20 entries left in the race, but Magnier feels that the importance of the Derby justifies the participation of so many of his horses.

"Maybe it has lost some of its gloss, but it is the race where all the qualities of a colt are tested," Magnier told the Daily Telegraph.

"We continue to support it, and run as many as we can, because of this. We run those we feel are entitled to run. It's a chance for them to prove themselves.

"I know there are some people who would like to see it run over a mile and a quarter, but they did that in France, and I don't think it has improved the French Derby. I'm sure that was a mistake.



"In the United States, they permit geldings to run in their [Kentucky] Derby, but that's giving the geldings an unfair advantage. They have usually been gelded because there is a mental frailty there. After gelding they are easier to train. It is not a pure Classic like Epsom. The Derby has got history and tradition - all people have to do is leave it alone," he added.



Magnier also revealed that Johnny Murtagh has not decided which horse he will ride on Saturday.

"After the pair worked on Friday, both Aidan O'Brien and Johnny thought the main two in the betting, Fame And Glory and Rip Van Winkle, were still going well, but they were also impressed by the improvement shown by Masterofthehorse.

"Friday was probably the most important gallop they have done - and Tuesday will also be a last important check. Johnny will wait as long as he can to decide, which I can understand."

Fame And Glory proving easy to back for Derby


FAME AND GLORY has been eased in the betting by Ladbrokes for Saturday's Investec Derby despite being drawn in winning most stall four.

On Thursday the firm reported that interest in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner has eased following the decision of Aidan O'Brien's first jockey Johnny Murtagh to stick with Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas fourth Rip Van Winkle.


Sea The Stars is 3-1 favourite to complete the Classic double with the firm, who pushed Fame And Glory out to 4-1 (from 10-3).

Spokesman David Williams said: "Sea The Stars remains a hot Derby favourite but the pull of Murtagh is sending Rip Van Winkle further and further up the betting. We've barely seen a penny on Fame And Glory since the beginning of the week."

Another of the six Ballydoyle runners, Lingfield Derby Trial winner Age Of Aquarius was trimmed to 20-1 (from 25) by Victor Chandler on Thursday, while William Hill go 22-1 (from 25).

Sky Bet and William Hill also saw money for Crowded House after it was confirmed last season's Racing Post Trophy winner wouldhead to Epsom on Saturday instead of Chantilly for the following day's Prix du Jockey Club. They both go 20-1 (from 25).

Sky Bet spokesman Matt Doyle said: "Although his presence at Epsom will give the home team a lift, he has questions to answer after the Dante flop and the Irish will not be losing any sleep over his participation."

Sky Bet have eased Debussy and South Easter to 40-1 (from 33) and go 25-1 (from 20) Kite Wood.

The JohnGosden-trained Rainbow View was also proving popular for Friday's Investec Oaks with Star Bet. The firm reported laying two seperate bets of £15,000 - £4,5000 and £20,000 - £6,000

Ireland hold aces in Saturday's Derby hand


IRELAND'S awesome assault on the world's greatest Flat race is headed by a six-pronged Ballydoyle squad and a colt seeking to become the first in 20 years to follow Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas success with victory in the Investec Derby.



Of the 12 runners in Saturday's premier Classic, only four, all of them outsiders, represent Britain. Two-thirds of the line-up is made up of Irish raiders with half the field to be saddled by Aidan O'Brien.

However, bookmakers believe Ireland's greatest hope hails not from Ballydoyle but the yard of trainer John Oxx, whose Sea The Stars bids to emulate 1989 Derby hero Nashwan, the last animal to complete the Newmarket-Epsom double.

His ability is not in doubt. However, nobody can say for sure whether Mick Kinane's mount will translate his talent over the Guineas mile to Epsom's punishing 12 furlongs.

Oxx, who has previously described the son of Cape Cross and Arc heroine Urban Sea as only "50-50" to stay, said: "My mind isn't any clearer on the stamina issue. That hasn't changed.

"We will discover the answer on Saturday and when it comes to the crunch a lot will depend on what way his genes fall. It will come down to whether he will have the necessary stamina from his dam's side or whether he will fall short."
Aidan O'brien - trainer

Aidan O'Brien: trains six in Derby
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker

O'Brien heads to Britain mob-handed with a team that includes four major Derby trial winners. However, despite their claims, stable jockey Johnny Murtagh has deserted Fame And Glory, Black Bear Island, Age Of Aquarius, Golden Sword and Masterofthehorse. Rip Van Winkle is the chosen one.

O'Brien said on Friday: "Rip Van Winkle has always worked with an unbelievable amount of class. We don't know whether he will get the trip and we are going to find out tomorrow."

Of Fame And Glory, he added: "Four runs and four wins means he has done everything right. We've been happy with him since the Derrinstown and everything has gone smoothly. He is a very solid type of racehorse and is in good form."

Both O'Brien and Oxx are trying to wrestle the Derby from thegrip of Jim Bolger, who triumphed 12 months ago with New Approach and returns with Guineas third Gan Amhras.

"I thought the 2,000 Guineas was a very solid trial for the Derby," said Bolger, adding: "He was still a bit green at Newmarket, but hopefully all of that has been put to bed. I like him a lot and expect him to be there or thereabouts."

The morning line are very bullish about Sea the Stars and expecting the 7/2 to colapse

Some difficult races will just be watching today on our new channel 207.
Will be looking elsewhere for a few hotties.

good punting!

Not been a guineas winner won the derby for 20 years? Surely not?

Its a bit early, Nijinsky, but I am sure a few later?

was thinking more like nashwan? Nijinsky was 1970?

Yes Hibby, just could not remember how many after Nijinsky was thinking of triple crown winners.

Geez nashwan was 1989 and i can remember it,dont think i was old enough to legaly punt tho...

I remember when Nijinsky won it was the first time for 35 yrs think the last was Baharam? don't think its been done since, but the double gns and Derby not sure.