Oaks & Derby 2008 E/W Double...

Friday Epsom 16:05 - Sail
1m 4f, Class 1 Juddmonte Oaks' (Group 1) - Good

A tough race with plenty of appealing types that looks sure to live up to it's billing as one of the best Fillies races of recent times. The Irish have a strong hand, and I would be very surprised if the Juddmonte trophy didn't disappear over the emerald isle at approximately 16:10 today. Jim Bolger's Lush Lashes has been all the rage and certainly looks the one to beat, however with uncertainty over her participation until the last minute and the undulating track not certain to suit she may well be worth taking on. On their Chester run I expect Cape Amber to be much closer to Lush Lashes and she may well be the best of the British. Katiyra is interesting and well bread however stepping up 4 furlongs is a worry and she may this just a bridge too far. So with the Oaks going back to Ireland, the confident each-way selection is Sail. Whether by fault or design the immediately eye catching combination of O'Brien and Moore team up on a tough filly that relished every yard of the 1m 3f trip, at the Curragh last time. Guaranteed to stay and well drawn on the inside I expect Michael Tabor's filly to at least make the frame! (Early Price 14/1)
UP

Saturday Epsom 16:00 - New Approach
1m 4f, Class Vodafone Derby (Group 1) - Good

With all the controversy surrounding the race, it will probably turn into somewhat of an anti-climax on the day. Love it or hate it, the Derby is world famous and maybe it's about time we started enjoying it as much as millions of other people around the world seem to do. Jim Bolger has been in the limelight more than most and although some of his comments have been slightly controversial I fully expect him to have the last laugh. New Approach is as tough and as genuine as they come. He has been un-fairly labelled at times, suggesting that the son of Galileo can often set races up for his opponents, I don't think this will be case tomorrow. Crying out for this step up in trip and guaranteed a decent pace, New Approach will take all the beating and looks and each way steal!! Doctor Freemantle and Tartan Bearer look the best of the rest, but it may be a frustrating afternoon for Sir Michael Stoute as he could be left to fill the minor places. (Early Price 5/1)
WON 5/1