SAVETHELASTDANCE can grab victory in the Betfred Oaks (British Champions Series) (Fillies) (4.30pm) at Epsom on Friday afternoon.
Aidan O’Brien’s daughter of Galileo can provide the Ballydoyle maestro with an 11th victory in the Fillies’ Classic 25 years on from his first with Shahtoush in 1998. The Irish trainer has won the race with some of his finest fillies and Savethelastdance can put herself up there with O’Brien’s best and give him a fourth victory in a row following Love (2020), Snowfall (2021) and Tuesday (2022).
Savethelastdance had only run once as a juvenile, when finishing fifth in a mile maiden at Thurles last October. And although she has only run twice this season, she has taken that form to another level. She beat a better fancied rival in Boogie Woogie – who has won since and also finished sixth in the French 1,000 Guineas last weekend – on her seasonal return in a 1m2f maiden at Leopardstown. Savethelastdance scored comfortably by two-and-a-quarter lengths in testing conditions. But she improved markedly on that decent effort stepped up to a near 1m4f when scoring by an astonishing 22 lengths on similar soft conditions, despite being niggled early on, in the Listed Weathersby Digital Solutions Cheshire Oaks at last month’s Chester May Festival.
Admittedly those in behind were hardly world-beaters but the way Savethelastdance triumphed hinted that she have plenty more to come and should easily cope with the unique demands of Epsom, having been a home on the twists and turns on the Roodee.
She shot to favouritism on the back of that Chester run and she looks well worthy of that tag, being bred for the job to triumph in the Group One Classic at Epsom. She should continue improving and follow the likes of fellow Cheshire Oaks heroines Light Shift (2007) and the mighty Enable (2017) and follow-up at Epsom. 2017 Cheshire Oaks runner-up Forever Together also triumphed.
Musidora Stakes winner Soul Sister – under Frankie Dettori on his final ride in the Fillies’ Classic before retirement at the end of the season – looks the chief danger to Savethelastdance, who will again be ridden by Ryan Moore.
Ballydoyle stable-mate POINT LONSDALE can also land Group One glory in the Dahlbury Coronation Cup (British Champions Series) (3.10pm).
The four-year-old son of 2014 Derby hero Australia was a star juvenile, winning four times including in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, only tasting defeat once to Native Trail in Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh. Things didn’t go to plan last year and after he was down the field in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, he was off the track due to injury. But this season he has bounced back in style stepped up to middle distances. He won the Group Three Alleged Stakes at the Curragh in April before taking the Group Two Huxley Stakes at Chester last month.
He will be tackling this 1m4f trip for the first time and also looking for a first win at the top level. But now he is back on track, also under jockey Moore, he can triumph in a race that looks pretty hot with in opposition the 2021 Irish Derby and St Leger hero Hurricane Lane – for trainer Charlie Appleby and Liverpool FC fan, jockey William Buick; John and Thady Gosden’s QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes heroine Emily Upjohn and the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover, who was third in last year’s Derby before winning the Irish version.
THE CAMDEN COLT can win the British EBF 40th Anniversary Woodcote Stakes (Conditions Race) (GBB Race) (2pm). The Richard Hannon-trained juvenile was third on his debut at Chester's May Festival before breaking his duck in good style when stepped up to six furlongs at Haydock Park last Thursday. He looks to be progressing well and score again ahead of chiefly, the Hugo Palmer-trained Balon D'or.
It could be a good day at Epsom for jockey Moore and he can partner REVICH to victory in the Racehorse Lotto Handicap (2.35pm). The Richard Spencer-trained seven-year-old finished second in this race last year and has won over seven furlongs at Epsom in the past. Although he runs from a 3lb higher mark, he showed he is in good form when winning comfortably at Chester in testing conditions last time, having been a decent third at Newbury beforehand. The return to better ground should hold no issues and Revich can score ahead of the Charlie Johnston-trained Austrian Theory.
Patrick Chamings' SPANISH STAR can win the finale, the Winners Wear Cavani Handicap (5.45pm). The eight-year-old has been in good form so far this season, winning at Goodwood and finishing second at Windsor. He can add another success at Epsom.
Others who can triumph at Epsom are Kevin Ryan's MARHABA THE CHAMP in the Betfred Handicap (3.45pm); and the Andrew Balding-trained HOLGUIN in the Listed Nyetimber Surrey Stakes (5.10pm).
Wright Ones
EPSOM
2pm The Camden Colt
2.35pm Revich
3.10pm Point Lonsdale
3.45pm Marhaba The Champ
4.30pm 1 SAVETHELASTDANCE (NAP) 2 Soul Sister 3 Warm Heart
5.10pm Holguin
5.45pm Spanish Star
