16:05 Epsom – The Fugue the safest option in particularly open Oaks
Published:At least six of the field for the Epsom Oaks have serious claims of taking victory, but The Fugue seems to have fewer negatives than his fellow rivals and is therefore selected to claim victory.
The Fugue is 3/1 joint favourite in the Epsom Oaks odds and could not have been more impressive when winning the Musidora Stakes on her latest start.
She was running on from the rear in the Oaks over an inadequate 1m and the step up to 1m4f in the Oaks will suit.
The only doubt is the calibre of the opposition that she beat in the Musidora and that she may be found out against better horses.
Maybe is the other 3/1 favourite as she bids to keep up trainer Aidan O’Brien’s phenomenal Classic-winning start to the campaign.
But she has never won over further than 7f and all of the last 16 Oaks winners had previously triumphed over at least 1m.
Therefore, Kissed may be the better hope of the trainer at 7/1, especially as she has been impressive on both of her starts.
Although, there are doubts as to how she will cope with the better ground at Epsom and this is sufficient enough reason to oppose her.
Vow is 5/1 and represents last year’s winning team of William Haggas and Johnny Murtagh, who were successful with Dancing Rain.
The horse is also the only one in the field to have previously won over 1m4f, but any repeat of the greenness that she has shown in her two victories will surely be found out at Epsom, which is a course that is particularly demanding of a horse.
Furthermore, there is a strong possibility that Vow will struggle to settle in the early stages and pull her way to the front, which may be of detriment to her chances.
Kailani is the Godolphin representative and is clearly well thought of having been supplemented late to get in.
She is a big price at 10/1 given the form shown this season, but the stable have flopped in the Classics so far with horses that have looked to be challengers on paper and lightning may well strike again.
Like Kailani, Shirocco Star will be held up early up and could be the one to profit if the early pace is too quick at 16/1.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
