Gm, Equinauts

Day one on the Knavesmire kicks off with one of the season’s key Oaks trials as the fillies take centre stage in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes.

The race has become a hugely reliable guide to Epsom success in recent years, with the likes of WHIRL, SOUL SISTER, EMILY UPJOHN and SNOWFALL all using the the race as a springboard to major Oaks performances.

This year, the market is built around LEGACY LINK, who returns after a solid effort in last season’s Fillies’ Mile, form of which has already been boost through subsequent Classic performances, and the step up in trip looks set to suit.

She won’t have things her own way though… FELICITAS and SEA THE STORM both arrive with proven stamina over 10f and are race fit, which could prove a massive advantage.

Whatever happens, the Oaks market will be shaken up post-race.

Let’s dive in.

BIG RACE PREVIEWS

15.30 6F GROUP 2MINSTER STAKES

The market often weighs this race up right with 5 faves in the last 10 years going in and the majority of the rest either second or third fave.

Today’s fave is Commonwealth Cup heroine TIME FOR SANDALS. Trained by Harry Eustace, this 4yo is very lightly raced but has quickly climbed the ranks to certify herself as a proper rocket. Versatile ground wise, she comes her fit after a good blow last time out at Newmarket which would have put her straight today.

KIND OF BLUE would probably prefer a bit of ease in the ground but is a proven horse in this company. There is a small argument that he comes alive towards the back end of the season so might just need this to blow the cobwebs away.

COOL HOOF LUKE was a winner for us last time out, we backed him as a Group horse in Listed company. There were whispers that Balding’s lot think he is a Group 1 horse so will have to go close today to realise their hopes.

What a horse BIG MOJO is! Went close in the Breeders Cup as a 2yo and then proved to train on by winning a Group 1 last year as a 3yo (beating a few of these he reopposes today). He’s 4yo now so should be stronger and better. He goes well fresh too and has a nice low draw. Player!

ARAMRAM was last seen going exceptionally close in the Abernant Stakes. He went into that race fit versus others who will have needed it so there’s an argument form lines may be reversed.

QUINAULT is 3 from 4 at York and likes to get on with things up front. His record makes sense as York is very much a track where races can be nicked with that tactic. Player on that basis but we do feel there are classier horses than him.

ELMONJED is handicapper and should struggle today although Shaggas loves York. It’s his favourite track and all his runners need a second look.

AMERICAN AFFAIR came from absolutely no where last year to end up landing a Group 1 at Royal Ascot. Before that he was a Saturday handicapper. Incredible improvement at 5yo. He’s a fast 5f horse and this 6 might stretch him.

Of the rest, REGIONAL needs to get back on track and he’s 8 years old now, so no guarantee but JASOUR at 11’s is capable of a big run - he’s fit and will find this easier that the plethora of Group 1’s he fsced last year.

Verdict: We think TIME FOR SANDALS is a bit of a weapon but we have a real soft spot for BIG MOJO who can go well fresh and looks a cracking ew at 7/1.

16.05 1M 2F GROUP 3 MUSIDORA

LEGACY LINK is the hype horse coming into this and reps a yard who have picked up this pot for fun in recent years (think SOUL SISTER and EMILY UPJOHN etc). She’s by DUBAWI out of Juddmonte mare who won over 1m 4f. She wasn’t just any old Juddmonte mare though, she’s FRANKEL’s sister! Probably why they called this girl LEGACY LINK. Every single Gosden winner of this race (in the last 10 years) had had a run. This girl hasn’t and that is a huge concern for us. We think she might need it!

FELICITAS destroyed a big field at Sandown when last seen - the further she went the better she looked. The dam side is heavily oriented around a mile including Listed winner DUNE FLOWER (dam of CERRO BLANCO). She’s fit, working well and Ed Walker wouldn’t swap her!

MOMENTS OF JOY is fairly weak in the market given it’s Ballydoyle in a ‘trial’. By JUSTIFY out of a GALILEO mare (hell of a pedigree), the return to a quicker surface will be welcomed. The dam has produced better milers than stayers so we imagine this will be a test for this girl as to whether she remains at this trip or returns to shorter.

SEA THE STORM is fit, which is a big plus. She’s by SEA THE STARS so this trip is bang up her street. Needs to improve but she should do and is an unknown really.

The other two are there for the day out.

Verdict: FELICITAS for us in this. Gosden’s LEGACY LINK will come on a bundle for her run (all his other winners in this had a prep race, this girl hasn’t) this should be a time to take her on. FELICITAS looked smart at Sandown.

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