Al Naamah 14/1
Perused the Oaks card for a long time today and keep coming back to the French one. Legatissimo won the Guineas well but I am not entirely sure about the authority given what a complete non-stayer the 3rd horse was. Anyway, Legatissimo will love the trip today so there will be no excuses- I just don't fancy the horse and just wonder if it was really a good Guineas.
This French filly, a full sister to 2012 winner WAS, has been doing well to show any form over 7f in France and it was a satisfactory reappearance when touched off over the 10f. She is obviously bred for the trip, will improve again (just 4th start), has experienced the track at Breakfast with the stars event, and Fabre doesn't come here for the fun of it. He described her as big and backward but that to me tells you the improvement that could come and for me that's what makes this a bet- the potential is there for this one to go one better than the rest, who I reckon are all closely matched with each-other (Together Forever/Star Of Seville closely matched with Legatissimo on a line through Lucida) so I can just see the left-field Frenchie causing a stir.