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It is Crystal Clear - Side with Sir Michael Stoute
7/1 on Legatissimo to finish in the first three,
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Thursday was one of those rare days, a treat, and in some ways it felt so surreal. It didn’t start out that great as the M25 did its best to scupper my best-laid plans. So much for traffic apps, too.
I should have relaxed more as Frankie Dettori was another caught up in the M25 car-park. Expectant onlookers, including myself, stood waiting in the pre-parade ring, all of us in high-visibility waistcoats, provided by the racecourse as much building and preparation work is being undertaken ahead of the Royal Meeting.
It wasn’t long before Dettori strode towards the saddling boxes alongside many of the connections, including assistant trainer Alan Sherman. Trainer Rae Guest was in attendance, and Hugo Palmer had kindly provided Aktabantay as a galloping companion for California Chrome.
Photographers and film crews took prime stances to capture the best image, and they weren’t to be disappointed by their subject matter. As he strode into the pre-parade ring he seemed to hesitate, prick his ears and beckon the cameras. Basking in the attention and unfazed by the intense curiosity.
His stunning chestnut coat glistened in the sunshine, the contours of his muscles rippled as he strode round the paddock - he is a handsome and charismatic individual and a very long, tall and lean horse. His ears pricked and he took all the sights and sounds in.
Such was his aura that we just formed an orderly queue behind him and followed him and Dettori out on to the course. Most stood on the inside of the running rail near the finishing line, while some of us took to the higher terraces to capture the full view of the exercise. I believe he was given an adequate test and took the bend very well indeed.
Body language from both Frankie Dettori, and trainer’s son Alan Sherman, seemed to suggest they were more than satisfied and I had to laugh, inwardly of course, when Alan Sherman was asked what he feared most; “losing” was the wry answer.
Shame he won’t meet Al Kazeem, who is injured, but here’s hoping he oozes as much character and class as he did today come Royal Ascot.
From Ascot I then headed round to Epsom, no traffic this time, the temperature guage had gone up a few degrees and no doubt dried the Downs out. The media centre is huge, so big the marquee could hold a concert and if you were down the opposite end you probably couldn’t hear it.
I ambled around trying to familiarize myself with the security restrictions, car-parks, media centre, wi-fi and enclosures ahead of having to totter around in heels, and potential thunderstorms.
On to the important business of the actual racing, and despite the intricacies and the undulations of Epsom there is plenty of potential for bookmakers to be paying out on the favourites.
Newbury’s Lockinge form was franked in huge style by Cable Bay at Haydock last Saturday and with that in mind Arod, who finished just ahead of Charlie Hills runner, must have a blinding chance in the Investec Diomed Stakes. He has experience of Epsom, having finished fourth in last year’s Derby and seems to have the tactical speed. Complicit could provide the pace, enabling Arod to sit behind and pounce late.
9/1 Legatissimo or 10/1 Crystal Zvevda to win
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As for the Investec Oaks, there is no denying Legatissimo is the filly to beat with a 1,000 Guineas already on her CV and stamina is her strength.
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I was so taken by Crystal Zvezda’s Newbury run, however, and the manner with which she was able to manoeuvre from the back of the field and show acceleration to glide past her rivals was breath-taking. And her trainer Sir Michael Stoute has had four winners from his last six runners.
Al Namaah’s gallop at the course at Breakfast With The Stars also struck a chord with me, as she ran with grit and determination and stuck her head down and coped with the camber. I’m sure she’ll be on the premises in the closing stages.
It’s all building up and I can’t wait…
Tanya Stevenson's Friday tips:
3.10 Epsom: Arod at 2-1 generally available
4.30 Epsom: Crystal Zvezda at 4-1 with William Hill
Tanya Stevenson's Friday pointers:
4.30 Epsom - Investec Oaks:
Eleven of the last 30 favourites have won.
The last time a horse who ran in the 1,000 Guineas went on to win the Oaks was Casual Look in 2003 and she had finished sixth at Newmarket. Legatissimo is the only one to come from Newmarket. Kazzia in 2002 was the last horse to win the 1,000 Guineas and come on to win the Oaks.
Over the last 100 years there has been 12 occasions when the Oaks had 11 runners, the favourite won four times and eight of the 12 winners were single figure price.
Only one of the last ten winners had already run in a Group One. (2006 Alexandrova)
No filly drawn in stall one has won over the last ten years (Legatissimo)
Seven of the last ten winners finished no worse than third in their career previously.
Nine of the last ten winners finished no worse than second on their most recent start.
Bellajeu hopes to be the first maiden to win the Oaks since Sun Princess in 1983.
Over the last decade none of the winners had raced more than twice in the current season. (Diamondsandrubies and Legatissimo have raced three times)
2.00 Epsom - Princess Elizabeth Stakes:
Eight of the last ten winners came from the first two in the betting, six of them were favourites.
Under its current status as a Group Three there have been no three-year-old winners.
Six of the last ten winners were trained in Newmarket.
Nine of the last ten winners finished no worse than third on their most recent start (that would discount Lightning Thunder, Miss Buckshot, Odeliz and Arabian Queen)
All of the last ten winners ran in at least a Listed race prior to Epsom (Bold Lass is the only one that hasn’t this year)
2.35 Epsom - Investec Wealth & Investment Handicap:
Only three of the last ten winners had won on their most recent start.
Only two of the last ten favourites have won.
Eight of the last ten winners came from the first four in the betting.
The last eight winners carried nine stone or more (today Fattsota, Fire Fighting and Tres Coronas).
Richard Fahey has failed to win with his last eleven attempts, today he has Spirit Of The Law.
3.10 Epsom - Investec Diomed Stakes:
Gregorian in 2013 has been the only favourite to win the Diomed Stakes since Nayyir in 2002.
Richard Hughes has won three times from six rides on Shifting Power.
Jimmy Fortune and Tullius have teamed up in 12 races winning six of them.
All of the last ten winners had run in at least Listed class once in the season (this discounts the rank outsider Marcret).
Only three of the last ten winners had won on their most recent start.
Only three of the last ten winners had previous Epsom experience (those who haven’t run at Epsom are Tullius, Complicit, Shifting Power and Calling Out)
3.45 Epsom - Investec Mile:
Seven of the last ten winners came from the first three in the betting.
Gratzie has won two of her three races at Epsom.
Eight of the last ten winners were aged four or five.
