A field of just five has been declared for Wednesday’s Listed Cheshire Oaks – live on Sky Sports Racing - with Aidan O’Brien running two, Andrew Balding one, Ralph Beckett one and the Gosdens one. Some of the game’s top owners, trainers and jockeys are represented, along with some quality pedigrees on show.
This quintet of fillies bid to join previous winners like Light Shift (2007), the great Enable (2017), Magic Wand (2018) and last year’s heroine and 2025 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe runner-up Minnie Hauk. It’s a race sure to have a significant bearing on the Oaks at Epsom next month, with the current favourite (I’m The One, 3/1) and third favourite (Amelia Earhart, 8/1) locking horns.
Is it yet another Cheshire Oaks destined for Ballydoyle or Clarehaven? We preview the field below.
Watch every race of the Boodles May Festival at Chester live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 512) from Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th May.
Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks (Listed) - 1m3f75y
1. SUGAR ISLAND (5)
J: Wayne Lordan T: A P O'Brien
Daughter of Dubawi who top and tailed her juvenile season with maiden and Group 3s wins in what was a five-run campaign. Could do no more than improve as the year went on like she did, showing a good level of professionalism and a solid attitude under pressure. On what we have seen so far comfortably holds the strongest form in this field, but must try and negate a Group 3 penalty, making life tough. Her half-sister Mother Nature (by Justify) stayed well, but this filly may prove best over 10f this season. Dangerous if left alone on the front-end off a crawl, but if not getting that kind of setup, could struggle to win.
2. A LA PROCHAINE (1)
J: James Doyle T: Ralph Beckett
Trainer won this with a once-raced filly two seasons ago in a division the yard always warrants maximum respect. As a 550,000 Guineas Tatts Book 1 purchase, who is a half-sister to German Group 1 performer Mr Hollywood, she’s clearly bred to be smart while also seemingly looking the part, given her price tag. Her only start at two saw her create a favourable impression in a steadily-run, soft-ground Newbury maiden (8f), the penny really appearing to drop in the closing stages. More is obviously needed, but this daughter of Lope De Vega is open to any amount of improvement, with the step up in trip another positive. Market may guide best to how she’s wintered and what’s expected.
3. AMELIA EARHART (2)
J: Ryan Moore T: A P O'Brien
Strapping daughter of Camelot whose dam Venus De Milo (unraced at two) was a Group 1 performer over 10f and 12f. Took her five goes to break her maiden as a juvenile, but improved with each and every start, proving herself to be straight-forward with good gate speed, a trait which will stand to her around here. Get the feeling, both on pedigree and physique, she could be a big improver this season, but she does need to step forward on what she has shown on the track thus far. The step up in trip looks a big positive, but I have no idea what to make of the first-time blinkers and hood combination! Are they trying to slow her down or sharpen her up? Probably the type to improve for a run, too.
4. I'M THE ONE (4)
J: William Buick T: John & Thady Gosden
Daughter of Sea The Stars who was unraced at two before creating a huge impression on debut at Newbury 19 days ago. Well-found in the market, she dashed away late to win by 6 lengths, hitting the line hard. Difficult to know exactly what she achieved in a field full of lightly-raced and green fillies, but she left a deep visual impression, especially in the last 150y when she exploded away. Her dam was a German Group 1-winning filly who beat subsequent Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe hero Torquator Tasso so both on paper and what we’ve seen on the track, there is plenty to like about a horse coming from a top outfit.
5. WINGED ONE (3)
J: Oisin Murphy T: Andrew Balding
Stoutly-bred daughter of Australia who was too green to do herself justice on debut at Leicester last year before going on to win a Newcastle novice at the back end of the season. Possibly a touch flattered by the bare 3½ lengths margin, coming from rear in a strongly-run race where the runner-up and third got no cover. Interesting her top-class yard are willing to pitch her in here, or are they chasing Black Type, but either way, she needs to take a significant step forward.
Watch every race of the Boodles May Festival at Chester live on Sky Sports Racing (Sky 415 | Virgin 512) from Wednesday 6th to Friday 8th May.
DECLAN’S VERDICT
A contest that might be dominated tactically by the Ballydoyle duo of Sugar Island and Amelia Earhart, who both made the running in stages during their juvenile campaigns. In a race that features three other lightly-raced types who will likely be educated with the future in mind, the Ballydoyle duo might have the run of things early. I’m The One showed enough early pace to put herself and William Buick in a good position, should her rider want that. She looks the horse to beat, but doesn’t interest me at 8/13 with her taking a significant step up in grade, while also returning to the track relatively quickly. With both first-time blinkers and a first-time hood being added to Amelia Earhart, that’s enough to put me off her and onto her stablemate SUGAR ISLAND, despite her carrying a penalty and having stamina doubts. At 11/1+ she does look overpriced on ability alone, even with her penalty factored in, especially with the daughter of Dubawi being such an experienced filly. If Wayne Lordan can get her to the front and turn this into a sit-and-sprint contest, she may well get home and show herself to be a Prix de Diane filly.
She is one to consider getting out on in-running with the shrewd play possibly betting her without the odds-on favourite, of which she is a best priced 4/1 at the time of publication.
