Epsom Oaks 2025 Runner-By-Runner Guide & Tips
The fillies take to the stage in the Oaks on Friday, where market leader Desert Flower bids to remain unbeaten and complete the Classic double having claimed last month’s 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Desert Flower (7/4f)
Yet to put a foot wrong in her career, winning all four starts, including Group 1 wins in the Fillies’ Mile and the 1000 Guineas last time out. Official ratings put clear of the remainder and she is unlikely to have an issue staying the distance given her temperament. It’s hard to pick holes in her but she is drawn in the box seat down in stall 1 (19 of last 23 unplaced) as she attempts to provide Charlie Apply with a first win in the race.
She is the one they all have to beat, but it’ll be interesting to see how she handles the track. Dawn Approach looked bulletproof when he contested the Derby those years ago (unbeaten at the time) but he completely bombed out when not appearing at all happy on the track. This filly has done all of her winning on a straight track, so I’m not sure I would want to be piling in on her at skinny odds.
Elwateen (11/1)
Her trainer doesn’t send many here often, but when he does, they are worth a second look. His last six runners at the track have resulted in two wins (over a five-season period) and while it’s been 23 years since he last tasted success in the race, the fact he’s supplemented his candidate is interesting to say the least.
She won in good style on her debut at Kempton and produced a fine effort when fourth in the 1000 Guineas on just her second ever start on her reappearance after nine months off. She travelled anonymously well throughout despite racing on the wing of the field.
That’s despite showing plenty of greenness coupled with lack of experience and taking a blow, she kept on resolutely to almost retake third. That was extremely promising and connections believe she will be seen to better effect over this longer trip. I think so too.
So while he does have ground to make up on the favourite, I’m expecting her to have learned and come on a lot from her excellent return and her owners have won this race three times in the past. Even after just two runs, she’s already the third highest-rated runner in the field and has a good slot in stall five with so much more to come.
Giselle (11/1)
Smartly bred and has won two of her four starts. She did look good to the eye last time out in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield, but the race was a poor renewal, and she had no excuses when only fourth in a substandard Group 3 event two starts back at the Curragh.
Colin Keane’s booking is an uplift, but I’m not convinced she’s the winner of this race and I expect a few others to prove too strong for her when it matters most.
Go Go Boots (66/1)
A winner of her first two starts at Lingfield and wasn’t disgraced when third in the Musidora Stakes at York on turf debut.
She should stay the trip and her connections have won this race four times, but she is going to need a lot more improvement to trouble a few of these, and a place might be the best she can hope for.
The booking of Oisin Murphy does catch the eye though but others are preferred.
Minnie Hauk (9/2)
An expensive purchase out of Frankel and has improved since chasing home the reopposing Wemightakethelongway on debut by winning both of her starts.
She was strong at the finish when landing the Cheshire Oaks on her return, but she does need more to come out on top in this race. That’s possible though and she’s the choice of Ryan Moore.
As well as that, she has a nice draw in stall two, so there’s a good chance she will be thereabouts at the business end. I wouldn’t put you off her given her jockey and trainers record in the race.
Qilin Queen (25/1)
Likeable type, with two wins and three placed efforts from five starts, and gamely won a Listed race last time out under an aggressive ride. That wasn’t a strong renewal, but it has been a decent guide for this race, and she should give a bold showing of herself.
I do think she was a little fortunate to beat Revoir last time out though, who would have won in another stride. That being said, she should appreciate the step up in distance and she could run well at huge odds.
Revoir (10/1)
An unexposed filly, who ploughed through testing ground to make a winning debut at Nottingham before running a cracker on her return when runner-up in a Listed race behind Qilin Queen. She did everything but win that race and she’s open to plenty more improvement.
She should be well suited to this longer distance and could be about to raise her game. Also drawn well in stall six, she bids to provide Ralph Beckett with a second winner in the race having taken it with Talent back in 2013.
Wemightakedlongway (16/1)
Interesting Irish raider, who beat Minnie Hauk last season, and took a step forward from her reappearance behind Delacroix to return an all-the-way winner of a Group 3 event at Navan.
She is going to need to find more if she’s to dominate this field, but she’s going the right way, and connections wouldn’t be taking up this engagement without good reason. She’s another outsider worthy of a second look.
Whirl (11/2)
Won a Group 3 on her final start last season and was last seen returning as a good winner of the Musodira at York, where she had Go Go Boots back in third. She posted a good time in winning in that race and deserves her place in the field.
However, Ryan Moore jumps ship to Minnie Hauk, which is interesting given she’s rated 10lb lower than this filly. For all that, though, I don’t think she will be far away, as she’s tough, and she could be even better over this trip.
EPSOM OAKS VERDICT & TIPS
Please note, our free tip service is not applicable.
Regards,
Steven
