Betfred Derby Festival Oaks Day Tips: Matt Hulmes likes 9/1 shot in Betfred Oaks

It is a huge weekend of action at Epsom and it kicks off on Friday with Oaks Day and seven top-quality races highlighted by the Betfred Oaks.

Betfred TV's very own Matt Hulmes has put together his thoughts and picked out his horse to back across all seven races of the card as he takes us through his Betfred Derby Festival Oaks Day Tips...

You can bet on all of the races every day and check out the latest Horse Racing Odds over on betfred.com

13:30 NYETIMBER SURREY STAKES 

The opening race of the Betfred Derby Festival can go to favourite backers as DIEGO VENTURA looks to build on his Longchamp win. He showed a willing attitude there and Thursday's rain will also have aided his cause. The lightly raced filly Saqqara Sands will also appreciate the recent rainfall and is another to consider in receipt of weight. 

14:05 BETFRED BRITISH EBF WOODCOTE STAKES 

MAXIMIZED was an expensive purchase who beat a shorter priced stablemate on his Haydock debut two weeks ago. It was a taking performance and connections took this contest with the high class Pinatubo in 2019. He will come form stall six, just like the last two Woodcote winners. Havana Hurricane beat Logi Bear at Goodwood on his debut and should confirm that form while Raakeb wasn't disgraced at Beverley and shouldn't be discounted. 

14:40 BETFRED CORONATION CUP 

It is very hard to see past CALANDGAN landing his first group 1 success this afternoon. He has been runner-up at the top level his last three starts, goes on any ground and has a few pounds in hand of his rivals, having had Giavellotto behind at Meydan in April. Irish Oaks heroine You Got To Me, freshened up since well beaten in the Betfred St Leger may be able to follow hm home.  

15:15 BETFRED NIFTY 50 HANDICAP 

Mutawid is up 10lb for a runaway Newmarket victory and will likely head the betting. Roger Varian saddles the lightly raced Defiance having won three of the last seven renewals. He was second in last years Epsom Derby trial but hasn't been seen since Royal Ascot. A lot has to be taken on trust. Ryan Moore is an eye catching booking on Botanical for the 2022 and 2024 wining owner Sheikh Obaid. An each way play on ECUREUIL SECRET is advised on his second start for Richard Fahey. He'll appreciate the rain over last couple of days and kept illustrious company last year.  

16:00 BETFRED OAKS 

The market centres around unbeaten Betfred 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower. She holds massive claims if she stays, but it's a big if. GISELLE is impeccably bred and has lots of ability. It was only a three runner trial at Lingfield, but Ryan Moore made sure she learnt plenty and if she settles I think her class can come to the fore at the business end. Ed Walker's horses are in incredible form and Qilin Queen, who beat Revoir at Newbury and is twice the price, could be one for value seekers.  

16:35 TRUSTATRADER HANDICAP 

Two Tempting is 3lb higher now than when winning this race last year but proved he remains in good heart when scoring at Chester last month. BOPEDRO was unlucky not to be a lot closer in last years race and is 14lb better off now. He has showed signs in his last two starts his time could be near. His stable companion Mirsky finally took advantage of a falling handicap mark last time and a 2lb rise isn't overburdening.  

17:10 DEBENHAMS HANDICAP 

Miss Information was a nice winner last time at Newmarket, has won at the Epsom previously and with give in the ground so will tick a lot of boxes under Osin Murphy in the finale. But this is RHOSCOLYN's race. He won it in 2021 and again last year off the same mark as competes off this time round, having the exact same prep run at Chester last week. The recent rain will also aid his cause.  

Matt Hulmes is a presenter and Horse Racing Tipster for Betfred TV. You can check out all of the Horse Racing Tips from the team here at Betfred Insights on our main Horse Racing section. You can also get Fast Racing Results from us here at Betfred.