Who To Follow At Epsom On Friday - 02/06/23

James Mackie | @JMackieRacing

Epsom - June 01 2023
Epsom 15:30
9(4)
Ryan Moore

Savethelastdance

J: Ryan Moore
T: A P O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-2
OR: 114
Days: 23

The feature race of the afternoon on Friday is the Group One Epsom Oaks for the fillies' and Savethelastdance for Aidan O'Brien could be a superstar for a trainer who has won the last three renewals of this race.

Seen just once as a juvenile when fifth of eight at Thurles over a mile in a Maiden, she was then put away for her three year old campaign.

Given her seasonal debut this term she made a huge impression at Leopardstown when stepped up to 1m2f and going on to beat stablemate Boogie Woogie by 2 1/4 lengths.

Boogie Woogie has since bolted up in a Fillies' Maiden at Naas and the third Azazat has also gone on to frank the form in a good way.

O'Brien then sent her to the Listed Cheshire Oaks at Chester and putting up arguably the performance of the season so far she went on to bolt up by 22 lengths, with her sectional times being outrageous.

That run did come on soft ground but with her pedigree suggesting she could be event better on quicker ground the sky is the limit for this Galileo filly.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
22/07/23CUR12Sft9-21
02/06/23EPS12GF9-22
10/05/23CHS11.5Sft9-21
05/04/23LEO10Hy9-31
06/10/22THU8Sft9-25

Trainer To Follow - Andrew Balding

Andrew Balding sends a few runners over to Epsom on Friday that has some nice chances starting in the Betfred Handicap with Masekela looking to bounce back to form now on a mark of 99.

In the feature Group One Epsom Oaks he will be hoping Sea Of Roses can out run her odds of 50/1 and although showing some superb form before her last in the Group Three Musidora, she will have to improve from that run.

One of his best chances of the afternoon comes in the Listed Surrey Stakes over 7f with the unlucky Holguin playing bridesmaid behind some nice horses on too many occasions during his career, but this event presents itself as one he can get finally get his head back in front in.

Finally, in the final event of the afternoon Clochette dropping into handicap company is certainly in with a shout if improving again from her latest good run in Listed company.

Jockey To Follow - William Buick

The champion jockey William Buick has a handful of nice rides on the opening day of the Derby meeting from Epsom, starting in the second race of the day on board the favourite All The King's Men for George Boughey.

In the first Group One of the afternoon Hurricane Lane is looking to back up his run in the Group Two Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.

Buick then rides the second favourite Marhaba The Champ for Kevin Ryan with the pair teaming up last time for a nice success at York's Dante meeting and only 2lb higher he can go close again.

The Norwegian then rides Eternal Hope for his retained trainer Charlie Appleby in the Epsom Oaks with the filly winning the Oaks Trial at Lingfield back in May.

Buick heads into the meeting sporting a strike rate of 19% for the last weeks managing to land 12 winners from his last 64 rides.