This doesn’t exactly look like a vintage Oaks on paper with none of the field having won more races than they’ve lost. The ground will be on the soft side and stamina should come into play.
#1 A La Prochaine – James Doyle/Ralph Beckett – lightly-raced daughter of Lope De Vega who probably wasn’t streetwise enough when third at Chester behind Amelia Earhart on just her second start last time out. She was tapped for toe when the pace quickened there around a sharp track, but plugged on well enough and was doing nicely on the gallop out. She’s got a couple of angles to improve off that effort and won’t mind if the ground gets really deep.
#2 Amelia Earhart – Ryan Moore/Aidan O’Brien – well-touted juvenile who was sent off favourite for all of her starts as a 2-year-old. Took a bit of time to learn on the job, but showed a glimmer of what she might be capable of on her final start of the year when romping away to win a Leopardstown maiden. Hooded and blinkered for her return in the Chesire Oaks where she powered away from a highly regarded rival to take her form to a new level. Very much bred to relish this sort of distance and already top-rated by Timeform with plenty to come still – very much looks the one to beat.
#3 Cameo – Wayne Lordan/Aidan O’Brien – similar profile to Amelia Earhart in so much as she struggled to really show her true worth over shorter distances. Improved significantly upped in distance to land the Lingfield Oaks Trial on her most recent start, doing all of her best work at the finish to beat a moderate rival. Not sure how many of her opponents really ran their race that day, but the time was solid and post-race comments from connections all suggested she should improve plenty more still. Enjoys soft ground and Lordan has proved a very able deputy in Classics this season, landing both the English and Irish 1000
#4 K Sarra – Rossa Ryan/Ralph Beckett – impressive winner of a synthetic Novice on debut but struggled in a Guineas trial on her first run of 2026. Much better next time in the Musidora when behind Legacy Link, running on into third having been outpaced, with shrewd jockey suggesting his mount may have won with a bit more ground, which she gets here. Should stay on breeding and seems to be learning on the job, so not impossible she could figure in the finish here.
#5 Legacy Link – Colin Keane/John & Thady Gosden – beautifully bred daughter of Dubawi out of a full sister to the mighty Frankel. High level of form last year when fourth in the Group 1 Fillies’ Mile but was always going to do better this year. Returned to action to land the Musidora last time out when doing plenty wrong, racing on the wrong lead and taking a keen hold early having jinked right at the start, but still having energy left at the finish to outstay a good rival. Travelled like much the best horse there and I think she was idling all the way and won with a fair bit in hand. Huge Enable vibes from this girl and I loved that last effort – looks the biggest danger to Amelia Earhart.
#6 On Message – Hector Crouch/Ralph Beckett – progressive sort who won a mile handicap here two back off a mark of just 80. Only third in a Listed trial last time but was doing some good work at the finish and is bred to improve with time and as she moves up in trip. Place claims.
#7 Sugar Island – Ronan Whelan/Aidan O’Brien – swept aside when only fourth behind Amelia Earhart on her seasonal debut last time but was only 7/1 there and travelled about as well as anything. Little hope on that form but she was most impressive on bad ground last season when crushing Thundering On and Cameo in a Group 3 and it might be that she has untapped potential on soft going. Possible lone front-runner on a track that can really favour speed when the mud is flying – particularly if they are coming across to the nearside rail – and may well surprise a few here if the ground gets really bad.
#8 Thundering On – Dylan Browne McMonagle/Joseph O’Brien – got off the mark at the third time of asking in the Salsabil Stakes at Navan last time having travelled strongly throughout the contest, producing a wicked turn of foot when asked. Bred to be top class but I’m not entirely convinced that she wants this distance on bad ground, and the form of her last run has taken some knocks.
#9 Venetian Lace – William Buick/Charlie Johnston – only a six furlong synthetic win to her name so far but has continued to progress with racing, finishing second in the Fillies’ Mile on her final start of 2025 and excelling herself again in the English 1000 Guineas when finishing third, plugging on having made the running. Certainly not impossible she could stay the extra half mile here – she’s by Derby winner Masar and has some stamina on the distaff side – and arguably has the best form on offer, but I do worry about her over this distance on bad ground.
Verdict: Another Classic where Ballydoyle holds a strong hand, and Cameo should go well if the ground doesn’t get too bad. I loved Legacy Link’s York win but stall 1 might edge things in favour of Amelia Earhart, who looks to set a good standard here with very few negatives in her profile. Stablemate Sugar Island is capable of running a huge race at massive odds if the rain continues to fall.
