Cazoo Oaks: Runner-by-runner guide to Friday's Classic at Epsom

The Group One Cazoo Oaks is the highlight at Epsom Downs Racecourse with 15 runners going to post for the third British Classic of the season.
Dubai Fountain (silver) and Zeyaadah (blue) meet again in the Cazoo Oaks. Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty ImagesDubai Fountain (silver) and Zeyaadah (blue) meet again in the Cazoo Oaks. Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Dubai Fountain (silver) and Zeyaadah (blue) meet again in the Cazoo Oaks. Photo: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Staged over 12 furlongs, the likes of Love (2020), Enable (2017), Taghrooda (2014) and Sariska (2009) are all recent winners of the event.

We have previewed the £395,000 contest with our runner by runner guide.

1 Divinely. Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Odds: 10/1

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The plunge horse of the week, backed in from 25/1. She finished a solid fourth in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield and should come on for that run. Interesting.

2 Dubai Fountain. Trainer: Mark Johnston. Odds: 12/1

Won the Cheshire Oaks at Chester in fine style. She looks sure to be ridden handily and could surprise a few by making the frame.

3 La Joconde. Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Odds: 50/1

She cost 850,000gns, but is failed to live up to that price tag so far. She could be a pacemaker for team Ballydoyle.

4 Mystery Angel. Trainer: George Boughey. Odds: 25/1

Supplemented for the race this week, she was a Listed winner this term, but this is a different ball game and she looks out of her depth.

5 Ocean Road. Trainer: Hugo Palmer. Odds: 20/1

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Has only run three times and finished a good third in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield last month. She can only improve, but the lack of experience is a worry.

6 Saffron Beach. Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam. Odds: 10/1

Proven Group One filly. She finished a fine second in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last time out. Whilst there are concerns about her stamina, she recently enjoyed a racecourse gallop at the track and is an each-way player.

7 Santa Barbara. Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Odds: 9/4f

Favourite for the race, following a solid through in the 1000 Guineas. She clearly lacks epereince having had just two runs, but Aidan O’Brien has revealed that she could be one of the best fillies he has ever trained and with the step up in trip a positive, she looks sure to put her best foot forward here.

8 Save A Forest. Trainer: Roger Varian. Odds: 50/1

A likely pacemaker for her stable companions. Oppose.

9 Sherbert Lemon. Trainer: Archie Watson. Odds: 33/1

Ridden by Hollie Doyle and she did win the Oaks Trial at Lingfield in good style. However, this is quicker ground and a stronger event so it demands more.

10 Snowfall. Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Odds: 4/1

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Very impressive in the Musidora at York last time out. She proved her liking for this trip on that occasion and she is a leading player.

11 Technique. Trainer: Martyn Meade. Odds: 50/1

Seventh at Lingfield last time and she needs to improve dramatically to get involved.

12 Teona. Trainer: Roger Varian. Odds: 11/2

An interesting contender. She was a good third in the Musidora last time out and given her lack of experience, that was a fine effort. She is bound to progress and is deeply respected.

13 Willow. Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Odds: 40/1

Has proved a touch underwhelming this term and looks a likely pacemaker.

14 Zeyaadah. Trainer: Roger Varian. Odds: 11/2

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A fascinating runner. She didn’t get the best of trips when second in the Oaks at Chester and she should be seen to better effect here. Her stamina is proven and she is another interesting runner.

Big-race verdict

The British challenge is led by Roger Varian’s duo of Teona and Zeyaadah. They both look capable of further improvement and look legitimate challengers.

However, Aidan O’Brien looks to hold the aces in this event as he chases a ninth win in the race. Snowfall was simply sensational in the Musidora, but Santa Barbara has always been well-regarded and could be the class act here.

1 Santa Barbara 9/4 2 Snowfall 4/1 3 Teona 11/2

Selections from OLBG

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