16:00 Epsom Downs

Friday 6 June 2025

All13:3014:0514:4015:1516:0016:3517:10

Betfred Oaks (Fillies' Group 1)

Off time: 16:04 | Winning time: 2m 38.91s

(1)

Desert Flower³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 117

11/10

Hasn't put a foot wrong, going 4-4 at 2 yrs, including the Group 1 Fillies' Mile, and returning with a smooth victory in the 1000 Guineas back at Newmarket, again going away at the finish. Pedigree (closely related to a smart stayer) and relaxed racing style suggests she'll stay. The one to beat.

Form: 1111-1

(5)

Elwateen³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Jim Crowley| T: S bin Suroor| OR: 108

14/1

Impressed when making a successful start in a 7f Kempton novice last summer and emerged with plenty of credit when 2¼ lengths fourth behind Desert Flower in the 1000 Guineas on her return, looking green. She should stay and could outrun her odds.

Form: 1-4

(3)

Giselle^h²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102| BF| D

13/2

Bred to be out of the top drawer and won a 7f Curragh maiden in the autumn before chasing home Whirl there over 1m. Successful comeback in 3-runner Oaks Trial at Lingfield 4 weeks ago fitted with a hood, completing a simple task in straightforward fashion, despite still looking green. More to come.

Form: 213-1

(4)

Go Go Boots²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 99

33/1

Won first 2 starts on the AW at Lingfield and took a big step forward on turf debut when 5¾ lengths third of 6 to Whirl in the Musidora at York, chasing the winner until losing second only late on. Will stay (dam placed in the Ribblesdale) and continue to improve for top stable.

Form: 1-13

(2)

Minnie Hauk³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 100

9/2

€1,850,000 Frankel filly who chased home Wemightakedlongway on debut before winning 1m Leopardstown maiden at 2 yrs. Took a big step forward, looking well suited by the longer trip, when landing the Cheshire Oaks on return, leading 2f out and responding well. The pick of Ryan Moore and big player.

Form: 21-1

(7)

Qilin Queen²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Tom Marquand| T: E Walker| OR: 98

20/1

Juvenile winner at Salisbury who scored again in Newbury listed race 3 weeks ago, making all and just holding on from Revoir. Seen to good advantage there and her rival may have her measure this time for all the longer trip should suit.

Form: 312-31

(6)

Revoir²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 97

22/1

Ploughed through the mud to land Nottingham fillies' maiden on debut in October and did everything bar win on return in Newbury listed contest 3 weeks ago, green and just failing to reel in Qilin Queen. Further step up in trip will suit and sure to progress further.

Form: 1-2

(8)

Wemightakedlongway⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 105

16/1

Easily saw off Minnie Hauk in 1m Cork maiden in October and back to winning ways in Navan Group 3 6 weeks ago, very much enjoying the run of the race under a well-judged ride. Needs a lot more and isn't certain to stay on pedigree.

Form: 313-51

(9)

Whirl²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| BF

15/2

Won 1m Group 3 at the Curragh on her final 2-y-o outing and took a huge step forward who landing the Musidora at York on her second start back, leading over 3f out and soon clear, posting a fine time. Strength at the finish there and blue-bloodied pedigree offers hope for even better at this trip.

Form: 4511-61

Forecasts

Desert Flower (11/10), Minnie Hauk (9/2), Giselle (13/2), Whirl (15/2), Elwateen (14/1), Wemightakedlongway (16/1), Qilin Queen (20/1), Revoir (22/1), Go Go Boots (33/1)

DESERT FLOWER is deservedly favourite and can keep her unbeaten record intact with a sixth victory and complete the set of British Classics for Charlie Appleby. She took the 1000 Guineas going away and her pedigree and relaxed style of racing offers plenty of hope she'll stay the extra half a mile. Aidan O'Brien cleaned up in the British trials and Musidora winner Whirl might be the danger for all Ryan Moore prefers Chester scorer Minnie Hauk. Elwateen is one to note at bigger odds.