Megan Nicholls Racing Preview: Epsom Oaks Day Tips
FRIDAY RACING TIPS
Epsom 1.30 – Surrey Stakes
Diego Ventura (9/4) could prove quite hard to beat here.
He returned with a solid-enough showing in a strong King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket before winning nicely in Listed company at Longchamp last time.
He looks like he’s improving and his form is pretty solid, so he could prove a pretty worthy favourite providing he handles Epsom.
Megan’s Tip: Diego Ventura WIN
Epsom 2.05 – Woodcote Stakes
You’d imagine Maximized (11/8) will prove hard to beat in the Woodcote.
He won well on his debut at Haydock, where he beat a well-fancied stablemate. Having seen him in the flesh at the sales, he looks the type of horse that should have no issues with the undulations of Epsom.
Plenty are entitled to take a step forward but I think Maximized is pretty smart – he's the one they’ve all got to beat in my eyes.
Megan’s Tip: Maximized WIN
Epsom 2.40 – Coronation Cup
Boringly, this is a race that has another solid favourite in the shape of Calandagan (8/13).
I thought he was given too much to do in Meydan and flew home from an impossible position.
He’s the classy horse in the field and his form from last season is really strong, so I think he’s very much the one to beat.
He’s got to take on last year’s St Leger winner, Jan Brueghel (7/2), but a 1m 4f at Epsom should be right up Calandagan’s street and he’s a confident selection.
Megan’s Tip: Calandagan WIN
Epsom 3.15 – 1m 2f Handicap
Botanical (4/1) will love the rain that is due to arrive at Epsom.
He’s got cheekpieces on for the first time and Ryan Moore is on board, which is always a positive.
He ran very well at Doncaster in testing conditions on his seasonal reappearance and I think we can forgive him for his run on the all-weather at Kempton last time.
He’s a better horse than that and I do think the rain is a big plus to his chances in what’s clearly a competitive race.
Crucially, BetMGM is paying four places each-way on this race.
Megan’s Tip: Botanical WIN
Epsom 4.00 – The Oaks
I’ve always been a massive fan of Desert Flower (11/8) so I’m not going to desert her now, pardon the pun.
She was really good in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and I thought she stayed on really well there, so if anything I think the extra distance here might actually help her improve further.
She looks versatile when it comes to the ground and I have a feeling she’ll outclass her rivals and give Godolphin their first win in the race since 2002.
Megan’s Tip: Desert Flower WIN
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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation