Horse racing tips: Templegate’s ‘awesome’ Epsom Oaks pick one of three HUGE punts for Ladies Day
TEMPLEGATE tackles Ladies Day at Epsom confident of having found you the winner of the Oaks.
Our man gives his verdict for every race below – and don’t forget to check out his complete guide to the Epsom Oaks.
You can back any horse simply by clicking their odds below.
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SAVETHELASTDANCE (4.30 Epsom, nap)
She can keep up the fantastic record of Aidan O’Brien in this race. The king of Ballydoyle has won it ten times and this daughter of supersire Galileo was awesome when winning the Cheshire Oaks by 22 lengths. She didn’t have a lot to beat but did it in a Group 1 time.
ALL THE KING’S MEN (2.35 Epsom, nb)
He has William Buick on board after going close on his past two runs. He was half a length away at Newcastle before a better effort at Thirsk. He should have no issue with this longer trip and the blinkers could also spark some improvement.
HOLGUIN (5.10 Epsom, treble)
He has gone close to winning twice in this grade and was just a neck away at Haydock last time. He is best over this trip and trainer Andrew Balding is in good form.
Templegate’s Epsom verdicts
2.00
BALON D’OR did well to finish third in the Lily Agnes Stakes at Chester last time from an impossible draw in stall 11. She showed lots of pace and can improve again.
The Camden Colt improved for stepping up to this trip for a smooth success at Haydock eight days ago.
Richard Hannon has a good record in this race so he’s worth a look along with stablemate Haatem who had plenty in hand at Bath.
This slightly longer distance should be right up his street.
Bobsleigh had plenty in hand when scoring on debut at Brighton. He travelled strongly and powered right through the line so this longer distance should be fine.
His liking for a tricky track is another plus.
Valour And Swagger has done well over the minimum distance and rallied at Ascot so he should find this trip ideal.
Trainer Karl Burke has been doing well with his two-year-olds which is another box ticked.
Maymay showed something on debut at Newmarket but shapes like further would suit.
2.35
ALL THE KING’S MEN has William Buick on board after going close on his past two runs.
He was half a length away at Newcastle before a better effort at Thirsk.
He should have no issue with this longer trip and the blinkers could also spark some improvement.
Dutch Decoy looks a threat after an unlucky fourth at Hamilton.
He had to come from a long way back and was gaining at the line. He’s another who gets a jockey upgrade today.
Revich is quirky but he has Ryan Moore on board and gave his all when scoring at Chester last time.
He handles the track and is a threat despite a 6lb rise.
Hodler is another coming here off a good Roodee win with an each-way shout.
Mayson got no luck last time and is a fair 4lb higher than his latest win.
He stays well, while Austrian Theory showed more positive signs when third six days ago and has place claims.
3.10
POINT LONSDALE was impressive when winning the Huxley Stakes at Chester and looks to be crying out for this longer distance.
He had lots left in the tank and looks up to Group 1 standard.
Westover was an eyecatching third in the Derby on his last run here and showed that was no fluke by grabbing Classic glory at The Curragh.
He was a good second in the Sheema Classic at Meydan when last seen and he looks a big threat.
Hurricane Lane has three Group 1s on his CV and ran his best race for a long time when taking the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.
He needs a little juice in the ground and it’s not certain he’ll back up his HQ effort.
Emily Upjohn finished last season winning the Champion Fillies and Mares at Ascot and was second in the Oaks.
She’ll go well under Frankie but her eight-month break is a concern.
3.45
MARHABA THE CHAMP had a bit more up his sleeve than a neck win suggests at York last time.
He was coming back from a break there so there’s every chance he’ll improve for the outing.
A 2lb rise in the weights is fair and he can take another step forward.
Toshizou has good each-way claims at decent odds.
His best effort came over 1m1f at Newmarket last month and he wasn’t suited by a shorter distance on the Knavesmire latest. He is dropping to a very handy mark.
Savvy Victory shaped well in second at York. He has crept up the weights but likes an undulating track and could hit the frame.
Majestic was less than a length off the pace last time when finishing strongly. He is back from the same mark and looks dangerous.
Honiton was well on top when scoring at Newmarket and won’t mind if the ground is rattling fast.
4.30
SAVETHELASTDANCE can keep up the fantastic record of Aidan O’Brien in this race.
The king of Ballydoyle has won it ten times and this daughter of supersire Galileo was awesome when winning the Cheshire Oaks by 22 lengths.
She didn’t have a lot to beat but did it in a Group 1 time.
The ground will be quicker here but that should be fine on breeding and she is likely to improve after just three runs.
Soul Sister is well up to Oaks-winning standard and showed a sharp turn of pace when taking the Musidora at York.
She shapes as though this longer trip will be fine and has the perfect rider in Frankie Dettori. She is the main danger.
The Gosdens have another live chance with Running Lion. She impressed at Newmarket and clocked a good time in the process.
The worry is she’s not guaranteed to stay but she’ll be a threat if she does.
Eternal Hope had plenty in hand when scoring at Epsom and has already proven her stamina. That could take her into the places.
Caernarfon is best of the longshots after a good run in the 1,000 Guineas.
5.10
HOLGUIN has gone close to winning twice in this grade and was just a neck away at Haydock last time.
He is best over this trip and trainer Andrew Balding is in good form.
Secret Angel was a Listed winner over six furlongs last year and was a solid third in a Lingfield Group 3 last time. A repeat of that would see her go close.
Olivia Maralda was a fair seventh in the 1,000 Guineas and will find this a lot easier.
She went close in a Curragh Group 2 over this distance last season and has plenty of pace.
This is a hike in class for He’s A Monster but he has been winning handicaps well and deserves a crack. He can outrun his odds.
Streets Of Gold won all five starts last season but found Newbury’s Greenham a bit much on comeback. He’s had a wind op since then which may help.
Dandy Alys tried Group 1 level last season without success and may need this comeback run.
5.45
SPANISH STAR likes tricky tracks and was in winning form at Goodwood last month before another good effort when second at Windsor.
They were over six furlongs but he’s proven at this trip and can go close again.
On A Session was a decent second at Chester last week and is proven at this distance. He goes on any ground and the handicapper has left his mark alone.
Clochette is having just her fourth run and she went well in Listed company at York.
Her handicap mark looks fair and she’ll be a threat despite a modest high draw.
Urban Sprawl carries a penalty for scoring at Goodwood last week and he’ll try to take this from the front as he did there. He will take a bit of passing.
Signcastle City would prefer a mile but went close at Newmarket latest and can’t be dismissed.
Templegate’s Tote Placepot picks
There is a guaranteed £250,000 Placepot on offer from the Tote for Friday – click here to take part.
How does it work? The Placepot is a bet where you select a horse to be placed in the FIRST SIX races of any meeting.
You can pick more than one horse in a race – you just multiply the number of selections in each race to calculate your stake. So for staking it’s 2x2x2x2x1x2 which adds up to 36 lines.
You can stake what you want upwards from 5p a line which would cost a total of £1.80. 10p a line is £3.60 and so on. Provided at least one in each race is placed, we get a payout!
LEG 1 Balon D’Or, The Camden Colt
LEG 2 All The King’s Men, Revich
LEG 3 Point Lonsdale, Westover
LEG 4 Marhaba The Champ, Toshizou
LEG 5 Savethelastdance
LEG 6 Holguin, Secret Angel