Declarations for Friday’s Epsom Oaks were announced this morning with eleven of the fifteen five-day entries standing their ground.
The Aidan O'Brien team has been cut in half as he decided not to declare a trio of runners with Warm Heart, a general 12/1 shot, the most notable absentee. Recent Irish 1000 Guineas fifth Jackie Oh will not take her place while Boogie Woogie, who finished sixth in the Prix Saint-Alary at Longchamp last-time-out will also head elsewhere.
Although there are three absentees from the Ballydoyle entries, current 6/5 favourite Savethelastdance remains firmly in the picture as Aidan O'Brien seeks an eleventh success in the Epsom Classic. The daughter of the great Galileo produced an exceptional performance to win the Cheshire Oaks by a staggering twenty-two lengths on her last start and she looks likely to be partnered by retained rider Ryan Moore once more. Seamie Heffernan has been booked to ride Be Happy, who finished runner-up in her Lingfield Oaks Trial in May while Red Riding Hood, the mount of Wayne Lordan completes the trio.
Frankie Dettori will be hoping for Epsom Oaks' success in his swansong year as he partners impressive Musidora winner Soul Sister for the John and Thady Gosden team. The yard will also be represented by empathic Pretty Polly Stakes winner, Running Lion who will once again be ridden by two-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy.
Cristian Demuro will get his first taste of the Epsom Downs on Friday afternoon as he's booked to ride the David Menuisier-trained Heartache Tonight. Demuro has ridden her on all three starts in France thus far and will be hoping for a first French victory in the race since Intrepidity scored for owner Sheikh Mohammed in 1993.
Charlie Appleby's Lingfield Oaks winner Eternal Hope stands her ground having been supplemented for the contest earlier in the week while Karl Burke's Bright Diamond, who finished back in fifth that day, will be looking to turn the form around.
Jack Channon will saddle Caernarfon and Rob Hornby will be hoping rank outsider Sea Of Roses can cause a surprise for the Andrew Balding stable. AMO Racing found the frame with maiden Mojo Star in last year's Epsom Derby, and they'll be hoping Maman Joon, who finished runner-up Caernarfon on her debut, can replicate that in this Friday's fillies equivalent.
Elsewhere on the card, Westover, Emily Upjohn, Hurricane Lane and Point Lonsdale are joined alongside German raider Tunnes in what looks set to be a thrilling renewal of the Group 1 Coronation Cup (3.10).
Confirmed runners and riders.
Be Happy - Seamie Heffernan
Bright Diamond - Clifford Lee
Caernarfon - Connor Beasley
Eternal Hope - William Buick
Heartache Tonight - Cristian Demuro
Maman Joon - Kevin Stott
Red Riding Hood - Wayne Lordan
Running Lion - Oisin Murphy
Savethelastdance - Ryan Moore
Sea Of Roses - Rob Hornby
Soul Sister - Frankie Dettori
