Megan Nicholls Racing Preview – Oaks Day at Epsom Downs

BetMGM ambassador Megan Nicholls gives her thoughts on the horse racing world, bringing her insightful opinions and first-rate knowledge exclusively to our blog every week.

This time the former jockey – now a celebrated TV pundit – previews Oaks Day at Epsom.

Epsom Downs 2.00 – The Woodcote Stakes

I do think the market has got this right with New Charter (2/1 fav) at the top of the betting.

She obviously gets a weight allowance for being a filly but she also gets weight off those that have got to carry a penalty for winning.

She didn’t do an awful lot wrong on debut behind a Charlie Appleby-trained filly who I think is probably one of the strongest contenders going for the Albany Stakes. So this form could work out really well.

She possibly travelled a bit keen in the early stages of the race, showing a little bit of immaturity.

But if she can settle down that hill at Epsom into Tattenham Corner, I think she has a massive chance.

That Newmarket Novice is going to work out really well. She showed plenty of ability.

With the weight difference, she will be hard to beat.

One to serve it up to her is Megalithic (3/1 2nd fav) for the Ralph Beckett team, who ran well on debut at Salisbury on pretty bad ground over five furlongs, which looked too sharp.

It was a tidy-enough race and he wasn’t beaten all that far. He’s a big improver up in trip. He’s got a big reputation and a good pedigree. He’s the one to serve it up to the favourite.

Megan’s Selection: New Charter WIN

Epsom Downs 2.35 – Class 2 Handicap

I am going for one each-way contender here and it’s going to be David O’Meara’s Orbaan (11/1), with Silvestre de Sousa up.

He’s got a really light weight - 8st 4lbs - on his back, has been placed both starts at Epsom previously, and we know it’s a bit of a specialist track. He handles it.

He’s off a competitive mark and it was a better effort again last time. He comes good at this time of year and I just think he’s overpriced.

It’s a really competitive and tricky race, so I'm looking for one that can run into the places.

Megan’s Selection: Orbaan EW

Epsom Downs 3.10 – Coronation Cup

The Coronation Cup is a really poor renewal.

It’s a great shame we have lost King Of Steel and that we don’t get to see Auguste Rodin. A couple there to mention, though.

It’s a small field. Emily Upjohn (5/6) is a very short price and I’m going to go against her on the ground. If it was quicker, she would be hard to beat but I’m not sure soft ground is to her liking, with four millimetres due on Thursday.

Feed The Flame (9/2) has gone on soft ground, but is his form up to scratch? I just don’t think it is.

I’m going to keep it simple and go with Luxembourg (3/1). He’s won on testing before. You can put a line through Meydan as he’se better than that. He might just be able to dictate in a small field and on ground he will handle better than Emily Upjohn.

Megan’s Selection: Luxembourg WIN

Epsom Downs 3.45 – Class 2 Handicap

I am going with Derry Lad (13/2).

He has run OK at Epsom before, where the mile-and-a-half probably stretched him. 10 furlongs is probably his optimum, and on his most recent run over the mile he was flying home late on.

He has a really light weight on his back. Hayley Turner does really well at this meeting. She takes the ride.

He doesn’t mind softer going and conditions are perfect for him over the distance.

Megan’s Selection: Derry Lad WIN

Epsom Downs 4.30 – The Oaks

I am a big fan of Rubies Are Red (7/2) but I am going to go against her with the ground conditions.

She was unfortunate not to win at Lingfield when she had a bit too much ground to make up on ground that she finally got in her favour, which was quick that day.

She obviously doesn’t get that at Epsom, which is a negative.

Ylang Ylang (15/8 fav) is very solid. She ran a nice enough trial in the Guineas — when running on nicely, which suggests the step up in trip will help her — however distance-wise she is into unknown territory.

I am going to go with Dermot Weld’s filly Ezeliya (7/2), who has handled soft and heavy ground previously. Her comeback was a nice effort and I think she did it pretty snugly to be honest with you.

She is the one that is open to loads more improvement up to the mile-and-a-half and she is from a pretty prestigious Aga Khan family, who we know have produced some top class horses over the years.

Megan’s Selection: Ezeliya WIN

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Odds correct at time of publication but subject to fluctuation