Looks can be deceiving, but it is hard to argue with Savethelastdance's 22-length winning margin in the Listed Cheshire Oaks. The Coolmore filly faces 10 rivals in Friday's G1 Betfred Oaks, among them G3 Musidora S. heroine Soul Sister for Lady Bamford.
BE HAPPY (IRE), Camelot (GB) – Frequential (GB) (Dansili {GB})
Owner: M Tabor, D Smith, Mrs J Magnier & Westerberg
Breeder: Lynch Bages Ltd & Longfield Stud
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
A 340,000gns Tattersalls October Book 1 purchase, she is a sister to the Group 3-placed Hector De Maris (Ire) and hails from the family of Classic winners Galileo (Ire), Sea the Stars (Ire) and King's Best, her fourth dam being Allegretta (GB). Runner-up to the supplemented Eternal Hope in the Lingfield Derby Trial and not without a chance.
BRIGHT DIAMOND (IRE), El Kabeir – Starlite Sienna (Ire) (Elusive Pimpernel)
TDN Rising Star.
Owner: Sheikh Rashid Dalmook Al Maktoum
Breeder: T Molan
Trainer: Karl Burke
A graduate of the Tattersalls Ireland Goresbridge Breeze-up Sale for €52,000, she is out of a half-sister to Group 3 winner Realtra (Ire) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and was a highly impressive maiden winner on debut last year before finishing third in the G1 Fillies' Mile. Down the field in fifth but not beaten far in the Lingfield Oaks Trial on her only start this year.
CAERNARFON (GB), Cityscape (GB) – Royal Ffanci (GB) (Royal Applause {GB})
Owner: Hunscote Stud, P Humphreys & J Sweeney
Breeder: Hunscote Stud
Trainer: Jack Channon
A full-sister to the G3 Fred Darling winner Dan's Dream (GB) out of an unraced mare, she won the Listed Montrose Fillies' S. over a mile on the last of her seven starts at two, and came out strongly on debut this season to take fourth in the 1,000 Guineas. What she lacks in size she makes up for in toughness. The Oaks trip may just be a stretch.
ETERNAL HOPE (IRE), Teofilo (Ire) – Voice Of Truth (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire})
Owner/Breeder: Godolphin
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
The second foal of a half-sister to Group 1 winner and sire Rio De La Plata (Arg), and all three of her runs have come this year. She won on her second start at Chelmsford in February then took to the turf with aplomb to win the Lingfield Oaks Trial, thereby demanding to be supplemented for this Classic test. Big chance.
HEARTACHE TONIGHT (FR), Recorder (GB) – Salvation (GB) (Montjeu {Ire})
Owner: Chris Wright and Andy MacDonald
Breeder: Sylvain Vidal
Trainer David Menuisier
A first British Classic runner for her trainer and for her French-based sire, she is a half-sister to the dual Group 1 winner Wonderful Tonight (Fr) and bred on very similar lines to the 2019 Oaks winner Anapurna (GB) (Frankel {GB}). One for the placepot.
MAMAN JOON (IRE), Sea the Stars (Ire) – Dorcas Lane (GB) (Norse Dancer {Ire})
Owner: Amo Racing Ltd
Breeder: Barnane Stud Ltd
Trainer: Richard Hannon
A half-sister to the Royal Ascot winners Candleford (Ire) and Atty Persse (Ire), she was bought for 400,000gns at Tattersalls October Book 1. She has raced just once to date when second, more than nine lengths adrift of Gather Ye Rosebuds (Ire), in a 10-furlong Newbury maiden in April. Stamina won't be a problem but this is a dive into the deep end for an inexperienced filly.
RED RIDING HOOD (IRE), Justify – Ballydoyle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire})
Owners: D Smith, Mrs J Magnier, M Tabor, Westerberg
Breeder: Coolmore
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
From a deep Coolmore family and one Aidan O'Brien knows well, as he sent out her dam Ballydoyle to win the G1 Prix Marcel Boussac and finish second in the 1,000 Guineas. Dam is a sister to Misty For Me (Ire), a four-time Group 1 winner and the dam of US Navy Flag, as well as Twirl (Ire) and April Showers (Ire). It's a mouthwatering pedigree but she appears to be the Ballydoyle third string and improvement is required.
RUNNING LION (GB), Roaring Lion – Bella Nouf (GB) (Dansili {GB})
Owner: D P Howden
Breeder: The Bella Nouf Partnership
Trainers: John and Thady Gosden
A half-sister to Group 3 winner Majestic Glory (GB) (Frankel {GB}), her dam is a dual-winning half-sister to three black-type performers. Ultra-impressive winner at Newmarket back in May and forms part of a strong Gosden hand in the race. She is one of two Classic runners at Epsom from the sole crop of Roaring Lion, along with Dubai Mile (Ire) in the Derby.
SAVETHELASTDANCE (IRE), Galileo (Ire) – Daddy's Lil Darling (Scat Daddy)
Owners: Mrs John Magnier/Michael Tabor/Derrick Smith/Westerberg
Breeder: Daddys Lil Darling Syndicate
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
The family has unfinished business in this race given the dam Daddys Lil Darling bolted to the start and was withdrawn from the 2017 Oaks after getting loose. The mare was a top performer in America, won at the highest level, and Savethelastdance appears to have inherited all of her ability and more judging by a breathtaking 22-length win in the Cheshire Oaks. Deserving favourite.
SEA OF ROSES (GB), Sea The Moon (Ger) – Plume Rose (GB) (Marchand De Sable)
Owner: Weldspec Glasgow Limited
Breeder: Overbury Stallions Ltd
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Bought by Grangemore Stud for 115,000gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale in 2020. Reoffered at Book 1 and sold for 170,000gns to Andrew Balding. A half-sister to five winners, including the classy Desert Icon (Fr) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Gardol City (Fr) (Elusive City). Lots to find on form and ratings.
SOUL SISTER (IRE), Frankel (GB) – Dream Peace (Ire) (Dansili {GB})
Owner/breeder: Lady Bamford
Trainers: John & Thady Gosden
Lady Bamford's homebred is a sister to the Australian performer Herman Hesse (GB) and Dreamflight (GB), and a half-sister to Questionaire (GB) (Galileo {Ire}). Traces back to Kilfrish Stud's successful matriarch Arctique Royale (GB). Ticks a lot of boxes on paper, couldn't have been more impressive in winning the G3 Musidora S., and provides the final ride in the Oaks for Frankie Dettori.
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