June 02 / 16.30 Epsom

16.30

Good

Betfred Oaks (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies)

  • Prize money: £311025.99
  • 1m 4f 6y
  • Class 1
  • 11 runners
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Betfred Oaks (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies)

Runners: 11 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Partly cloudy

5/2 (Won)

  • Win: £3.34
  • Place: £1.10

Form: 1-01

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Won Doncaster maiden (1m, soft) last October on debut, nosing ahead final strides; tailed off on soft in 7f Group 3 at Newbury in April but that could not be further from her true merit judged on the way she won Group 3 Musidora at York (10.2f; officially on good, probably firmer) 16 days ago, held up travelling smoothly, joining issue over 1f out and winning by 4l; good chance on pedigree that she will stay 1m4f, so she's in with a big shout.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

11

(10)

2nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:30 Epsom

Soul Sister

9st 2lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: John & Thady Gosden

raced wide early, took keen hold, in touch with leaders, in rear after 3f

5/2

1st

8

(4)

17th May 2023

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

15:35 York

Soul Sister

9st 2lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: John & Thady Gosden

towards rear, good headway towards near side from 3f out, ridden to lead over 1f out, drifted left but kept on well inside final furlong, won going away

12/1

12th

11

(14)

22nd Apr 2023

Soft

0m 7f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Newbury

Soul Sister

9st 2lb

J: Frankie Dettori

T: John & Thady Gosden

towards rear on near side of group

8/1

6/5

  • Place: £1.10

Form: 5-11

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 114

Form & Verdict
20-1 when comfortable winner of a notable maiden at Leopardstown (1m2f, heavy) in April on second outing; slow start put her on the back foot when 8-11 for the eight-runner Cheshire Oaks at Chester (11.3f, soft) five weeks later and most of what followed was not on the bridle, but she produced a fantastic response from over 2f out and stormed 22l clear in deeply impressive style, regardless of lack of strength among the opposition; very different ground is forecast today but she's the one to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

9

(6)

24th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

15:35 York

Savethelastdance

9st 0lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

set good pace

4/1

1st

7

(5)

22nd Jul 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 0y

15:45 Curragh

Savethelastdance

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

soon raced in third, pushed along over 3f out, ridden and outpaced from under 3f out, switched left over 1f out, rallied and headway on outer inside final furlong, led towards finish

10/11

2nd

9

(4)

2nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:30 Epsom

Savethelastdance

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

in touch with leaders

6/5

40/1

  • Place: £5.70

Form: 2131-4

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Blossomed last autumn, culminating in soft-ground Listed win at Newmarket (1m); 25-1 for the 1,000 Guineas over that same C&D (soft) on reappearance and stuck to her task admirably from well off the pace to finish fourth of 20, admittedly way behind the first two; different ground and major work to do but, contrary to her pedigree, it looks as if she will stay beyond 1m.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

8

(1)

16th Aug 2023

Good

1m 1f 201y

Class 1

16:30 Salisbury

Caernarfon

8st 11lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Jack Channon

Tough filly who brings Classic form having finished 25-1 fourth in the 1,000 Guineas and 40-1 third in the Oaks; failed to make the frame against male rivals at Royal Ascot but ran creditably, despite an unsatisfactory pace, in the Nassau at Goodwood last time; versatile ground-wise; has the best chance on ratings, back down in class.

11/4

5th

5

(3)

3rd Aug 2023

Good To Soft

1m 1f 197y

Class 1

15:35 Goodwood

Caernarfon

9st 1lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Jack Channon

About 10l fourth in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket (1m, soft) on reappearance and much better when 2l third in the Oaks at Epsom (1m4f, good to firm; led briefly over 2f out) next time; taking on the males at Royal Ascot (1m2f) saw a dip in her form, admittedly not beaten far but she needs to show something very new to trouble the best in this line-up.

20/1

6th

16

(10)

22nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Caernarfon

8st 13lb

J: Connor Beasley

T: Jack Channon

Kept on for soundly beaten fourth in 1,000 Guineas (1m, soft) on reappearance and found a chunk of improvement when upped in trip to 1m4f in the Oaks (good to firm), finishing a clear third at 40-1; now takes on males but holds leading form claims and should be fine at 1m2f.

9/1

50/1

Form: 2

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
400,000gns yearling; Sea The Stars half-sister to Royal Ascot 1m4f handicap winners Candleford and Atty Persse; 6-1 from 8-1 for maiden at Newbury (1m2f, soft) six weeks ago on debut when no match for the winner but beating the other 14, having been held up and travelled well; while that was promising, the Oaks is a huge step up.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

11

(9)

22nd Jul 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

16:45 Newbury

Maman Joon

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Richard Hannon

Trailed home last in the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot (1m4f) but her previous fourth in the Oaks (good to firm) is naturally a standout piece of form at this level; hard to beat if putting her best foot forward.

5/2

17th

11

(15)

22nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Maman Joon

9st 2lb

J: Kevin Stott

T: Richard Hannon

Well-beaten second on debut at Newbury (1m2f, soft) in April then thrust into the Oaks at Epsom (1m4f, good to firm), where she was beaten about 10l in fourth; improvement is needed but it was a creditable run last time at a tricky track on just her second start and she could have more to offer.

20/1

40/1

Form: 133-5

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 101

Form & Verdict
Won at Newmarket (7f, good to firm) last August by 9l; 2yo Group-race efforts (third in Group 1 Fillies' Mile at Newmarket) gave her the best form going into the Lingfield Oaks Trial field on reappearance and although she never threatened Eternal Hope or Be Happy in that steadily run race, she did run on to finish on the heels of the runner-up in a bunched finish; not the most stoutly bred but this race could show her in a more positive light.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

11th

6

(12)

24th Aug 2023

Good To Firm

1m 3f 188y

Class 1

16:10 York

Bright Diamond

9st 0lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

Bang there 2f out before fading into a 12l fifth of nine in the Oaks at Epsom (1m4f, good to firm) on penultimate start; last of nine when she tried cheekpieces back at 1m2f in good Newcastle Group 3 (AW) four weeks later; no headgear today but needs to improve.

20/1

9th

8

(8)

30th Jun 2023

Standard To Slow

1m 2f 42y

Class 1

18:35 Newcastle (AW)

Bright Diamond

8st 9lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

took keen hold, in touch with leaders, towards rear after 2f

11/1

5th

2

(3)

2nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:30 Epsom

Bright Diamond

9st 2lb

J: Clifford Lee

T: K R Burke

in touch with leaders

40/1

Form: 1-34

Last run: 19 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 105

Form & Verdict
Half-sister to the same connections' Wonderful Tonight, who was a Group 1 winner on soft and heavy at 1m4f and 1m6f; all three runs have been in France, making most or ridden very prominently over 1m and about 1m2f on heavy, soft and very soft; won well in a maiden last October and galloped on resolutely to go down by just over 1l in two Group races this spring, latterly in the Group 1 Saint-Alary; whether she'll get her ground today has to be a concern, in part due to Wonderful Tonight's record, but she looks set to relish the extra distance.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

5

(11)

2nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:30 Epsom

Heartache Tonight

9st 2lb

J: Cristian Demuro

T: David Menuisier

prominent

20/1

Form: 311 D

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 102

Form & Verdict
Made her debut in only February and all three starts have been on AW; justified 6-5 favouritism in maiden at Chelmsford (1m2f) later in February and followed up in Lingfield Oaks Trial (1m4f) three weeks ago, racing freely in a steadily run race, tracking Be Happy and asserting by nearly 2l from that rival in the final 1f; this should be a very different test at the trip but she's promising.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

7th

4

(5)

2nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:30 Epsom

Eternal Hope

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

bit short of room soon after start, towards rear of midfield

12/1

1st

4

(4)

13th May 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Lingfield (AW)

Eternal Hope

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Ribblesdale entry; close third on debut at Wolverhampton and justified 6-5 favouritism in maiden at Chelmsford (1m2f, Polytrack) 12 days later in February, gradually reeling in a pretty useful stablemate; respected from top yard, with this trip promising to yield further progress.

4/1

50/1

Form: 21-25

Last run: 16 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Won Doncaster maiden (1m) in October and improved again in Group 3 at Saint-Cloud (10.5f, again on soft) in April, running on well to hold off Be Happy for second; may still have some potential given this longer trip but Soul Sister surged nearly 8l clear from her at York (probably fast ground) 16 days ago when Musidora fifth did not suggest an Oaks win.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

7

(5)

16th Sep 2023

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

14:05 Chester

Sea Of Roses

8st 7lb

J: David Probert

T: Andrew Balding

Soft-ground winner at two; has shown some useful form over middle distances this term, most recently second in Hamilton Listed contest (1m3f); wasn't far behind Bluestocking in the Ribblesdale (1m4f, good to firm) despite failing to settle; likely to go well again.

9/1

2nd

5

(4)

21st Jul 2023

Good To Soft

1m 3f 15y

Class 1

19:40 Hamilton

Sea Of Roses

9st 2lb

J: Hayley Turner

T: Andrew Balding

Won a Doncaster maiden on her second start as a 2yo (1m, soft; runner-up now BHA-rated 104); finished second in a French Group 3 on her reappearance but has been found wanting in top races in Britain since; far from disgraced when fifth in the Ribblesdale four weeks ago and the slightly shorter trip, allied to the forecast slower ground, brings her into the reckoning.

11/2

5th

16

(17)

22nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 3f 211y

Class 1

15:40 Ascot

Sea Of Roses

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Second in French Group 3 (10.5f, soft) in April but no match for the winner; soundly beaten in fifth in the Musidora (10.2f, good) next time, then well beaten in the Oaks (1m4f, good to firm) latest; others preferred.

40/1

Form: 2-213

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR:

Form & Verdict
Dam second in the 1,000 Guineas, sister to two fillies who failed to stay in the Oaks; runner-up on good at Ascot (1m) on debut; made most to win maiden at Dundalk (10.5f, AW) in April despite swerving badly to her right in the closing stages; kept on when close third in Group 3 at Naas (1m2f, good to yielding) four weeks ago but pulled hard early in first-time blinkers (retained today) which is a worry.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

10

(6)

10th Sep 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

14:25 Curragh

Red Riding Hood

9st 2lb

J: Gary Carroll

T: A P O’Brien

led

10/1

1st

9

(11)

26th Aug 2023

Good

1m 1f 0y

17:40 Curragh

Red Riding Hood

9st 0lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: A P O’Brien

disputed lead early, led clearly after 1f, reminders when faced challenge under 3f out, briefly headed and bit short of room against far rail under 2f out, rallied when led again inside final furlong, kept on well towards finish, gamely

8/1

9th

14

(15)

13th Aug 2023

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

15:50 Curragh

Red Riding Hood

9st 1lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: A P O’Brien

in rear

9/1

Form: 15-32 BF

Last run: 20 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Comfortable maiden win at Cork (1m, soft to heavy) on the first of two runs as 2yo; placed this season in Group 3 at Saint-Cloud (10.5f, soft; just behind Sea Of Roses) and Oaks Trial at Lingfield (1m4f, AW); 6-5 favourite in the latter and always prominent but Eternal Hope headed her 1f out and went on; there should be a very different rhythm to this race and she should still be open to improvement.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

2

(6)

22nd Jul 2023

Yielding To Soft

1m 4f 0y

15:45 Curragh

Be Happy

9st 2lb

J: W J Lee

T: A P O’Brien

Won a Cork maiden on debut and running well in defeat since, finishing third in a Saint-Cloud Group 3 prior to a Listed second in Lingfield's Oaks trial; that form has been knocked since though and she has plenty to find.

20/1

1

(6)

2nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:30 Epsom

Be Happy

9st 2lb

J: Seamie Heffernan

T: A P O’Brien

Comfortable maiden win at Cork (1m, soft to heavy) on the first of two runs as 2yo; placed this season in Group 3 at Saint-Cloud (10.5f, soft; just behind Sea Of Roses) and Oaks Trial at Lingfield (1m4f, AW); 6-5 favourite in the latter and always prominent but Eternal Hope headed her 1f out and went on; there should be a very different rhythm to this race and she should still be open to improvement.

33/1

2nd

1

(7)

13th May 2023

Standard

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Lingfield (AW)

Be Happy

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Plentiful big-race entries; comfortable maiden winner on last September's debut at Cork (1m, soft to heavy); disappointing 5-4 favourite in Group 3 one month later but she reappeared with a better effort at same level when third of eight at Saint-Cloud (10.5f, soft) six weeks ago; should stay and surely has more to give.

15/8

OUR TIP

Form: 411-11

Last run: 26 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Filly

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Promise on good to firm last July on debut; that's her only defeat, as she scored over 1m at each of the three Polytrack courses, before travelling much the best and scooting clear in a Listed race on soft at Newmarket, showing she stays 1m2f well (not sure to get 1m4f on pedigree); one of the top contenders on form and she's been progressing extremely well.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

7

(7)

16th Aug 2023

Good

1m 1f 201y

Class 1

16:30 Salisbury

Running Lion

9st 0lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Withdrawn from the Oaks after getting upset in the stalls, then ran as if something was amiss in the French version; otherwise a highly progressive filly and looked particularly smart in the Pretty Polly at Newmarket (1m2f, soft) in May; respected back at Listed level.

11/4

8

(2)

2nd Jun 2023

Good

1m 4f 6y

Class 1

16:30 Epsom

Running Lion

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

Promise on good to firm last July on debut; that's her only defeat, as she scored over 1m at each of the three Polytrack courses, before travelling much the best and scooting clear in a Listed race on soft at Newmarket, showing she stays 1m2f well (not sure to get 1m4f on pedigree); one of the top contenders on form and she's been progressing extremely well.

11/2

1st

7

(1)

7th May 2023

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

14:25 Newmarket

Running Lion

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: John & Thady Gosden

midfield

100/30

Non-runners

Be Happy

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £4.00
Straight Forecast £4.00
Tricast £31.72
Trifecta £58.80

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Savethelastdance

NEWMARKET:

Soul Sister

The Guardian:

Running Lion

The Times:

Soul Sister

Daily Mirror:

Soul Sister

The Star:

Soul Sister

Daily Record:

Soul Sister

RP RATINGS:

Savethelastdance

TOPSPEED:

Savethelastdance

POSTDATA:

Savethelastdance

Telegraph:

Savethelastdance

Daily Mail:

Savethelastdance

The Sun:

Savethelastdance

D Express:

Running Lion