Norton Focused On Oaks Test

Friday's G1 Cazoo Oaks at Epsom sees Ballydoyle typically solidly represented with at least two heavyweight acts in 'TDN Rising Star' Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Snowfall (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), but the overall feel of the 2021 renewal is that it is an open affair in which it is difficult to rule out any of the 14-strong cast.

One who has done very little wrong so far in her career and is guaranteed to stay this mile-and-a-half trip with relish is Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum's Dubai Fountain (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}). Due to be ridden by one of British racing's popular characters in Franny Norton, the May 5 Listed Cheshire Oaks winner was toughened by Mark Johnston in four group races last term and ended up fourth in the G1 Fillies' Mile on Newmarket's Rowley Mile in October. Also runner-up in the G2 May Hill S. at Doncaster and G3 Sweet Solera S. on the July Course at Newmarket, the relative of Dubai Destination (Kingmambo) and Librettist (Danzig) returned to beat Shadwell's Zeyaadah (Ire) (Tamayuz {GB}) on her first try over middle distances at Chester and is officially the top-rated filly in the line-up.

Having only his fifth ride in a British Classic and his first in one at Epsom, the Liverpool-born 50-year-old jockey is in the form of his life and told the famous city's Echo publication, “I don't know what's happened with me. I don't know whether I am a bottle of wine or a Scotch, but I do feel a lot better than ever. It is going to be a tough race, as we all well know, but I am looking forward to it. I rode her around Chester in a messy race and she prevailed that day. You only have to look at Aidan O'Brien over the years and he loves to send them to Chester and they go on to the Oaks or the Derby. It gives them a massive experience going around there. She is not overly big, but what she is is well-balanced and organised and I should imagine the track won't be a problem.

He continued, “These are the days you go for. They are big moments and you have got to be able to take them when they come along, as they don't come along that often as I know. Thirty-two years riding and this is the first ride in it. But it is just another race for me and I don't put any extra pressure on because it is the Oaks.”

Second on official ratings is the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas runner-up Saffron Beach (Ire) (New Bay {GB}), who had Santa Barbara behind in that May 2 Newmarket Classic, but the Wigan-Sangster representative seems less likely to enjoy this extra stamina test. From a family that tended to find a mile more suitable, last year's G3 Oh So Sharp S. winner will have to draw the staying power mainly from her sire. Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam is more concerned about the return of racegoers, with the filly facing a new experience on Friday.

“The race and the other horses won't bother her, it will be the crowds, as she has never seen a crowd,” she said. “I will probably put a red hood on her until the start, just because she hasn't seen a crowd. The way to dot the I's and cross the T's is to keep the lid on her, as she is strong to lead up. It is a big thrill to be part of this, so let's hope we can go there and do the best.”

One who will have no stamina concerns is Ali Saeed's much-vaunted Teona (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}), who was disappointing when third in the G3 Musidora S. over an extended 10-furlong trip at York May 12. Subsequently stunning in homework fitted with a hood, the daughter of the G1 Pretty Polly S. winner and G1 Coronation Cup third Ambivalent (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) joins Zeyaadah and the May 8 Listed Lingfield Oaks Trial runner-up Save a Forest (Ire) (Kingman {GB}) in a potent three-pronged raid by the Roger Varian stable.

“We take the positives out of the Musidora run. These are trials at the end of the day and if you're going to get things wrong it's better to do it in the trial than on the big day,” Varian said of Teona. “I think she's extremely talented and I hope that on the day she won't make the sort of juvenile mistakes she made at York.”

Of Zeyaadah, he added, “I hope she will stay. I suppose she's not guaranteed to on pedigree, but her running style should give her a chance and she slugged out a Montrose S. last year in the style of a filly who we think should stay a mile and a half. There's definitely a bit in the locker. She took an age to come to herself this spring and I only really got happy with her about a fortnight before Chester. I'm very happy with Save a Forest's condition and it wouldn't surprise me at all to see her run a nice race.”

Successful in the Lingfield Oaks Trial, Apple Tree Stud's Sherbet Lemon (Lemon Drop Kid) is in danger of going under the radar despite having shown markedly improved form from her previous fourth to Noon Star (Galileo {Ire}) in a 10-furlong novice at Wetherby Apr. 25. Hollie Doyle broke new ground in October when becoming the first female rider to win a Group 1 in Britain and she will take her profile to another level if she is able to get Archie Watson's trainee past the famed winning post first.

“I can't knock her–she has been around Lingfield and she handled that okay, so I don't see Epsom being a massive problem,” she said. “We always knew she wanted a trip, as she is by Lemon Drop Kid and her dam Famous was pretty decent herself, so we knew she was going to have the quality. At Lingfield, she was able to do everything in her own rhythm coming down that hill which was a big help to her. Whether she will be able to dictate like that around Epsom, I'm not so sure, but we will see. If anyone else trained her, she'd probably be a lot shorter. She's got such a great attitude and has really come to herself the last few months. She has really improved in her work and come forward a lot mentally since Lingfield.”

Al Aasy Faces Coronation Cup Test…

Earlier on the card, the first big clash of the older horses over a mile and a half occurs in a fascinating renewal of the G1 Coral Coronation Cup, with Shadwell's improved 4-year-old Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) looking to add to his impressive wins in Newbury's G3 John Porter S. Apr. 18 and G3 Aston Park S. May 15. His one disappointment came on fast ground when last of six behind Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) on his final 3-year-old outing in Goodwood's G3 Gordon S. in July, but trainer William Haggas is unperturbed.

“I think the ground will be fine, it won't be an excuse–he goes on the firm and it won't be that bad,” he said. “He's as good as we can have him–we're very happy with his condition.”

Aidan O'Brien is looking for a ninth edition and has opted to run the Galileo full-brothers Japan (GB) and Mogul (GB), with Ryan Moore picking the former as he did when a ride on Magical (Ire) was also on offer in the G1 Irish Champion S. in September. Successful in the G3 Ormonde S. at Chester on his 5-year-old bow May 6, the 2019 G1 Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Juddmonte International S. hero may have already put a largely forgettable 2020 campaign behind him. Like his sibling, Mogul is capable of the odd below-par effort alongside his considerable highs, but his scintillating success in last year's Grand Prix de Paris and G1 Longines Hong Kong Vase mark him as an elite international performer. Third last time in the G1 Prix Ganay at ParisLongchamp May 2, he will benefit from more patient tactics, although it is debatable whether he will get the strong pace he needs in what could turn into a tactical affair.

“Japan is a lovely horse and we're just putting a line through his runs last year,” O'Brien commented. “I remember Ryan riding him in the Arc two years ago and he was really looking forward to him. We were delighted with him in Chester and we hope he'll keep progressing. He had a very good run in the Derby as a 3-year-old and hopefully he'll be happy going back there again. Mogul improved an awful lot from Dubai to France, where they went very slow, which wouldn't have suited him, and the ground went against him as well. He's been working very nicely as well. Seamus [Heffernan] rides him. I don't think he's ridden him in a race before, but he knows him well and rides him in most of his work.”

Interestingly, William Muir, who now trains in partnership with Chris Grassick, has decided to come back to Epsom with last year's Derby flop Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}). Either side of that disappointing effort when only 11th behind Serpentine (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), he was successful in the G2 King Edward VII S. at Royal Ascot and the G2 Great Voltigeur S. at York–beating Highland Chief (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) and Mogul in comprehensive fashion in the latter–and Muir is willing to take another chance on the track.

“He's in good form, everything has gone how we would want it to go since Newmarket and he's ready for this race,” he said of the bay, who was runner-up on his seasonal debut in the G2 Jockey Club S. at Newmarket May 1. “What happened in the Derby happened four furlongs after leaving the stalls, so I haven't got any concerns about the track. There's talk they might get a few thunder showers. Either way, the ground is not going to worry me.”

An Even Dozen for the Derby…

Thursday's confirmation stage for Saturday's G1 Cazoo Derby at Epsom saw a dozen colts stand their ground, with the expected five Ballydoyle withdrawals along with the removal of Aquis Farm and Ballylinch Stud's May 21 Listed Cocked Hat S. winner Lone Eagle (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Alone in representing Aidan O'Brien is the G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial S. winner Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who will break from the nine stall which housed the last to complete the double of that trial and this Classic in High Chaparral (Ire) in 2002. Owned in partnership with Coolmore by Georg Von Opel's Westerberg, he will be a first runner in the blue riband for them.

“Saturday and Friday will be very exciting for both Georg and Emily von Opel,” their racing manager Jamie McCalmont said. “They will be going to Epsom for the first time. Georg has slowly got to know them [the Coolmore partners] and is becoming a bigger part of that group. We are involved with probably 10 3-year-olds and quite a few 2-year-olds.”

Of the other main players in the blue riband, Godolphin's May 13 G2 Dante S. winner Hurricane Lane (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) is drawn five with his trainer Charlie Appleby also providing a late twist to the Derby drama by jocking off Oisin Murphy on the yard's outsider Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}). Adam Kirby, who was usurped by Frankie Dettori on Anamoine Limited's May 15 Listed Fairway S. winner John Leeper (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), will now partner the Apr. 23 G3 Sandown Classic Trial and May 8 Listed Lingfield Derby Trial runner-up Adayar who received the hoodoo draw in one. John Leeper is on the other extreme in 12, which recently served as the stall for winners Australia (GB) and Serpentine, and trainer Ed Dunlop revealed that Dettori had been to sit on the homebred since the decision was made to book him at the 11th hour.

“Frankie rode him this morning. He gave him a canter up Warren Hill and he was pleased with him, so it's all systems go hopefully,” he said. “I've spoken to Frankie since the draw and he's happy to be drawn up there in stall 12 rather than down the bottom, so now we just hope for the best.”

Jim Bolger's G1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Mac Swiney (Ire) (New Approach {Ire}) also received a favourable draw in eight alongside Bolshoi Ballet, while Shadwell's impressive Listed Newmarket S. winner Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) is in four. Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum's Lingfield Derby Trial winner Third Realm (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) has a significant obstacle to overcome, having been drawn in stall two which incredibly has failed to produce a Derby winner since the starting mechanism was introduced in 1967.

Ahmad Al Shaikh's Youth Spirit (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) comes into this on the back of a success in the 12-furlong G3 Chester Vase May 5 and is the mount of Tom Marquand, who was second on the owner's Khalifa Sat (Ire) (Free Eagle {Ire}) 12 months ago.

“The only difference to last year is we were probably slightly cautious that Khalifa Sat might not have the speed for the Derby and would appreciate further, whereas this lad went to Chester with a question mark over whether he would stay. He answered that nicely, so the distance won't be an issue,” he explained. “It's great for Ahmad Al Shaikh to have found another Derby prospect so quickly and for Andrew [Balding], having had the second in the Derby last year, to be coming back with a horse with a competitive live chance. It's a game of opinions and the opinion of the bookies is that his trial wasn't the strongest, but I think he answered every question thrown at him. For a trial, you couldn't have asked him to do anything else.”

Lone Eagle's trainer Martyn Meade explained the absence of the Listed Cocked Hat S. scorer from the line-up.

“We were all ready–we gave him his last bit of prep this morning for a blow-out and as a matter of course we scoped him and unfortunately there was a bit of mucus,” he explained. “The trouble is the horse has been in great form–he was eating everything, working so well and his coat was looking great, but you can't get away from the fact that for that race you need to be 100 per cent, not 90 per cent. I was devastated. It's very disappointing. We'll look at the Irish Derby, which might suit him a bit better. I think that's where we might go.”

Clerk of the Course and Head of Racing at Epsom Andrew Cooper is looking at ground on the quick side as the two-day meeting gets underway.

“We've left things as good, good-to-firm in places here today,” he said. “The thing with tomorrow is there is still uncertainty as to what it is going to be like. The Met Office said to me today that the worst case scenario is that we could see about five millimetres of rain. We could see nothing, we could see one millimetre. Five was probably the most severe outcome. Whatever happens at the close of play today, I think we are in a good place. I will be disappointed, assuming it is dry overnight, that I'm not calling it the same thing first thing in the morning.”

Prix du Jockey Club Lures 19…

Also on Thursday, connections of the 19 competitors in Sunday's G1 Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly learned their fate with the draw which is always crucial in the 10 1/2-furlong Classic.

Ballydoyle's Classic double-seeking St Mark's Basilica (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}), bidding to continue a winning streak at this level having conquered the G1 Dewhurst S. at Newmarket in October and the May 16 G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp, was given a major boost when handed stall two. He is joined by the stable's G1 Criterium International winner and G1 Irish 2000 Guineas third Van Gogh (American Pharoah), who like all other overseas challengers has fared less well from the draw in 12.

As usual, Jean-Claude Rouget has a formidable hand, but his trio have also enjoyed little fortune with post position. The Aga Khan's unbeaten May 4 Listed Prix de Suresnes winner Saiydabad (Blame) has the best of it but will still have to overcome stall 11, while the same owner-breeder's May 11 G3 Prix de Guiche scorer Makaloun (Fr) (Bated Breath {GB}) is in 18, with only White Birch Farm's promoted Apr. 11 G3 Prix Noailles winner Cheshire Academy (Fr) (Flintshire {GB}) to his outer.

Rouget was at Saint-Cloud on Wednesday before the draw was made and said of them, “Makaloun had a very long winter off, because he had quite a hard campaign at two and that's why he ran late and only in the Guiche. He didn't need more before the Jockey Club and we feel he is in top form for the big race. Saiydabad has never won easily, but I think he doesn't give his maximum, so I don't yet know his limit. He hasn't the speed of Makaloun, which in this race on this track will be a handicap but he should run well. It all depends on whether he'll be better over a mile and a half or not, so we'll have part of the answer on Sunday. Cheshire Academy is a smashing horse with an impressive turn of foot and I'm very confident about him if he has a good trip. He can start slowly and will be at the back for the first part of the race, but I think he'll have a strong finish in him.”