I agree, Bracelets run last time was too bad to be true and if she's ready she will run a good race and if the conditions come up a little soft Madame Chiang has to enter equations she was impressive at York and was pretty much unfancied that day and if she handles Epsom she could run another cracker to make the frame.
Cheers Barney my laziness didn't afford me to look this morning...guess they must be pretty keen on Marvellous then so. To be fair if I got some of the bigger prices like beeforsalmon I'd be happy but i'm not keen on the current price.
Now that she has been declared to run I will be having a small each-way tickle on MOMENTUS for the reasons outlined on this thread on 14th May. 66/1 seems Enormous with a capital ‘E’ to my eye. Didn’t realise until just now that the last 3 runnings of the Oaks have all gone to 20/1 shots. Furthermore, like Momentus, all were very lightly raced having run, prior to Epsom, just 3, 2 and 3 times respectively.
Turn up the volume, Sir Barney, it really would be momentus if she won it, quite marvellous and dazzling too? please log in to view this image
There are fair prospects that by the time the gates open for The Oaks, the ground will be “good” for the seventeen set to run. It would not be unreasonable to suggest that this year’s renewal has more in the way of potential rather than solid form to mull over. Classic winner Marvellous will probably start favourite after beating Lightning Thunder by three lengths at The Curragh with stablemate Palace well beaten. The yielding ground that day clearly did no favours for the Newmarket runner-up, only denied the real 1000 Guineas by a neck on faster going. The fact that she has a good pedigree (like virtually everything in the yard) and could stay offset the concern that the Irish Guineas was not a great race. Taghrooda comes here unbeaten and gives John Gosden the prospect of a Classic double this weekend. Her victory in the Pretty Polly Stakes by an easy six lengths does not look like great form given the runner-up Jordan Princess failing to collect a similar race subsequently. She also has the perceived ‘disadvantage’ of the owner’s retained jockey, who brings an awful win record at Epsom with him. I wonder if it is possible to bet on how many times that gets mentioned in Channel 4’s coverage on the day... The owner’s other candidate, Tarfasha, collected the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes last time with Dazzling more than six lengths behind third. If cut in the ground is not totally necessary (her two wins on yielding or worse), she has a big chance for Pat Smullen and Dermot Weld. Ihtimal’s third in the 1000 Guineas suggests (probably wrongly) that she has something to find on the book with the favourite, her two victories in the UAE do not amount to much in the way of form and the extra two furlongs further than the UAE Oaks might be her undoing. It is almost impossible to assess Amazing Maria as she has not been seen since winning the Prestige Stakes at Goodwood as a two year old; but I expect that she will be kept close to the pace. The main British Oaks trials did not shed much light on the fillies that contested them: Madame Chiang won the Musidora on soft ground and runner-up Lily Rules and third Regardez reoppose. William Buick rides the unbeaten daughter of Archipenko as he cannot ride for his stable, but how much does she need soft ground? Victory in the Height Of Fashion Stakes saw Marsh Daisy increase her record to two from three but is she another one that may want it soft? Anipa was the unfancied winner of the Cheshire Oaks on her third start for Roger Varian, having raced for Ed Dunlop as a two year old; whilst Honor Bound collected the Lingfield Oaks Trial by a nose with Momentus a close third and Island Remede less than three lengths fifth. This race could very well end up revolving around Volume, as Luca Cumani’s filly made all in the Swettenham Stud Fillies Trial under Richard Hughes last time; and in recent times she would not be the first to slip the field and win here. Otherwise, I think this could be between Hamdan Al Maktoum’s two fillies and I may end up regretting not opening an internet account to get some 50/1 Taghrooda for the Arc.
Based on Oscar Wilde's observation that only a fool doesn't judge by appearances, I can't ignore the way Taghrooda smashed her field to pieces at Newmarket. I've heard the form of that race being crabbed, but she created such a strong visual impression that I can't get her out of my head. Similar comments apply to Volume, who showed a lot of heart at Newbury to hold off the persistent challenge of Lahinch Classics. A game mare will always turn heads. Of course Marvelous has easily the best form, but she has the draw against her as well as doubts about stamina, so I'm tempted to pass her over. 4/1 isn't bad though. 2pts win Taghrooda 1pt e/w Volume. Still undecided about Marvelous.
I quite like Honour Bound, who comes from the yard of last seasons winning trainer. She is a half sister to an Irish Derby winner, and I think she is improving with racing and looks one that shouldn't be bothered by the ground and I think she is a game sort who will try for her jockey. She is drawn wide, which isn't particularly ideal, but she shouldn't be as big as 28/1 in the market. Of the favoured runners I would be with Dermot Weld's filly, she looked very smart last time out and I think that race has more substance than the other trials we have seen.
Difficult race. Going for Marsh Daisy with Honor Bound and Madam Chiang as likely placed horses. More heart than head with these but I do like Marsh Daisy.
16:00 Epsom - Taghrooda (Already mentioned above but John Gosden's charge has been impressive so far and has done everything required of her. Should relish the extra distance on breeding).
Congratulations Boris, thanks for sharing sutch a beautiful image, can you spare a Shakle for an ex-leper?
cheers lads got a bit more back for my bet today as well incredible to think she went out to 11/2 when she was 6/4 the morning Marvellous won the Irish Guineas. Well done everyone else who was on.
Was fantastic to be on at such a good price, I will win money this season regardless of what happens for the rest of the year but if TRUE STORY could manage to land the monster of all doubles for me then I would be highly delighted!
The Barn is in excellent form & the saddle monkey aint too shabby either! Must go close to winning this race. Good Luck
Je suis malade comme un perroquet. Did not have a penny on her – well done those that did. In my write-up I gave the first three home in the last two paragraphs (not that I ever do tricasts). She will probably bolt up in the Arc now at single figure odds as I do not hold an ante post ticket either...
