STAR PREVIEW: The Oaks

[dropcap]N[/dropcap]othing like June weather is there…… and this is nothing like June weather.

The French Open semi-finalists playing in tracksuits and a real chill in the air in Surrey ahead of the Derby weekend at Epsom.

So it’s turned out nice again 🙁

The weather may well play a big part in the downfall of the Oaks favourite Minding who goes to post an uneasy market leader for the third Classic of the season at 4.30pm this afternoon.

Not much has gone right for Aidan O’Brien’s filly since she romped home in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

She was beaten a head at 4/9 in the Irish 1000 Guineas (the pair finished 10 lengths clear) and after the race it was reported that she clanged her head leaving the stalls causing a sinus to break.

It was also, significantly, soft ground at the Curragh and those taking on Minding today must cling to the belief that she won’t be as effective on the softer underfoot conditions.

It’s not soft but it is good to soft, soft in places and further showers cannot be ruled out.

There’s also the issue that the Curragh race came just 12 days ago and the race is not immune from a shock as we saw with a 50/1 winner last year.

Whilst there is every indication that Minding will get the 1m 4f trip – we don’t know for sure yet and remember that this is no ordinary 1m 4f. It’s around the roller-coast track that is Epsom. The roller-coasters are not just on the inner fairground.

In short, I have to look elsewhere. She is without doubt the class horse of the race but we may see a different filly today than the one who strolled home at Newmarket over a mile on good ground.

Skiffle each-way is the one for me. She was supplemented after winning a Listed race at Goodwood (1m 2f) and stamina will also be on our side. She’s lightly raced but also likely to make significant further improvement.

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BACK SKIFFLE 5 points each way at SP with Star Sports

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