16:00 Epsom Downs

Friday 5 June 2026

All13:3014:0514:4015:1516:0016:4017:1517:50

Betfred Oaks (Fillies' Group 1)

Off time: 16:03 | Winning time: 2m 39.64s

(2)

A La Prochaine³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: R M Beckett| OR: 98

22/1

Made a promising winning start in maiden at Newbury in the autumn, coping well with the testing conditions (displays plenty of knee action). Gave an excellent account up in trip/grade when 3¼ lengths third to Amelia Earhart in Cheshire Oaks on return and can do better again with further rain a plus.

Form: 1-3

(4)

Amelia Earhart^b,h³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105

7/4

Took 5 goes to win a race at 2 yrs but she looked a different proposition (sporting unusual combination of blinkers/hood) stepped up significantly in trip when making a winning return in Cheshire Oaks last month, travelling/quickening up well. More to come and looks the one to beat.

Form: 32241-1

(9)

Cameo²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104| D

7/1

Wasn't progressing over 1m but showed much-improved form stepped up markedly in distance when winning Oaks Trial at Lingfield in good style 4 weeks ago. More needed again but she's not to be underestimated.

Form: 0314-51

(6)

K Sarra²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rossa Ryan| T: R M Beckett| OR: 100

18/1

Made a winning debut in taking fashion at Southwell in November and confirmed that promise at the second attempt (unsuited by drop in trip in the Fred Darling) when 2¼ lengths third of 5 to the returning Legacy Link in Musidora at York, shaping as if this extra distance will suit. Place claims.

Form: 1-03

(1)

Legacy Link²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 105

3/1

Out of a sister to Frankel. Progressive last year, winning Haydock novice before excellent fourth in Fillies' Mile at Newmarket. Took another marked step forward when making a winning return in the Musidora at York, looking well suited by the step up in trip. Big player.

Form: 314-1

(7)

On Message¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: H Crouch| T: R M Beckett| OR: 99| C

25/1

Novice winner on the all-weather who had little trouble defying an opening mark of 80 over 1m here on return. Finished strongly in a messy listed event at Goodwood 2 weeks ago and she hasn't reached her ceiling yet (should stay this far).

Form: 451-13

(3)

Sugar Island³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104

25/1

Ended her 2-y-o campaign with a win in a 1m Curragh Group 3 in October. Made a respectable return under a penalty when 5½ lengths fourth of 5 to Amelia Earhart in Cheshire Oaks and further rain would increase her chance if not used as a pacemaker.

Form: 15391-4

(5)

Thundering On⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 107

5/1

Promising Frankel filly who opened her account in impressive fashion in Group 3 at Navan (1¼m, good) 6 weeks ago. Further progress required but step up to 1½m will hold no fears for her.

Form: 42-21

(8)

Venetian Lace³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: C Johnston| OR: 110

14/1

Has developed physically over the winter and took a step forward from her 2-y-o form (runner-up in Fillies' Mile) when third in 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on return, beaten only by a couple who had benefit of a recent run. The way she stayed on again after setting the pace offers hope over this trip.

Form: 44362-3

Forecasts

Amelia Earhart (7/4), Legacy Link (3/1), Thundering On (5/1), Cameo (7/1), Venetian Lace (14/1), K Sarra (18/1), A La Prochaine (22/1), Sugar Island (25/1), On Message (25/1)

AMELIA EARHART announced herself as a leading contender for this race after a stylish win at Chester on her reappearance and can follow in the footsteps of her stablemate Minnie Hauk, who went on to land this last year after making a successful return in the Cheshire Oaks. The highly progressive Legacy Link was nicely on top at the finish in the Musidora at York and looks the obvious threat, while 1000 Guineas third Venetian Lace holds strong form claims if seeing out this much longer distance.