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Captain's Blog - Friday 1st June 2012

We have a few units to play with at the Investec Derby Festival thanks to the win of Sir Prancealot in the National Stakes last night. He was very impressive and can lay claim to being the best two year old we have seen so far this season. He could be a live contender for the Coventry Stakes.

My selection today is Sholaan in the last race at Epsom. This horse lost its maiden tag at Wolverhampton in tremendous fashion posting a speed figure in the high 90’s which makes him well treated here. he is trained by William Haggas and ridden by Ryan Moore and they have a good record together this season. I really do think this horse could be a Group race performer in the making and he should be backed at 4/1 which is available with several firms at the time of writing. One slight negative is the wide draw in 13 which is not ideal over 7 furlongs here, but this horse is a class act and Moore who has had a tremendous month and is riding witha lot of confordence can work out a way to win.

As far as the Oaks is concerned I will not be having a bet, but here are some speed figures to hopefully help you get your head around a very competitive renewal.

Betterbetterbetter – 75
Colima – 89
Caoquet – 98
Devotion – 89
Kailani – 101
Kissed – 106
Maybe - 92
Nayarra - 85
Shirocco Star – 89
The Fugue – 113
Top Tempo – 65
Twirl – 105
Vow – 95
Was – 97

It is quite obvious that there is one standout figure provided by The Fugue in the Musidora and if she does not bounce out of that big effort she will take all the beating. I think to try and ignore what she did in the Musidora is to ignore the obvious and if I was to have a bet then this filly would be the one. Many people will be interested in backing Maybe, but there have to be stamina doubts surrounding her chance. It is The Fugue for me and I really believe she will win unless she recoils off that massive effort last time.

Time for me to make my way to Epsom now. I hope you enjoy our coverage today.

All the best.

Todays Selection

5.25 Epsom – Sholaan (4/1 several firms)