Betfred Oaks Runners: A guide to the nine hopefuls

The Betfred Derby Festival gets underway at Epsom on Friday and the highlight of the opening card is of course the Betfred Oaks (16:00), which has attracted a final field of nine.

I've produced a guide to the Betfred Oaks Runners, including the current prices and analysis of each filly's chances of landing the Classic contest.

Desert Flower (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) @ 7/4

Unbeaten and already a Classic winner, taking the Betfred 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last month on her first start at three. This is a bigger test for the Night Of Thunder filly, who tackles an extra four furlongs on a new course against different rivals, but there's every chance she passes it with flying colours. Very much the one to beat.

Minnie Hauk (Aidan O'Brien/Ryan Moore) @ 7/2

For me, the least impressive of O'Brien's trio in Betfred Oaks trials prior to this, so it's of particular interest that Ryan Moore has opted to ride the Frankel filly. She was made to work for her victory over rivals rated 93 and 80 in the Cheshire Oaks at Chester's May Festival last time out, but clearly connections believe she has a lot more to offer. That needs to be the case as far as I'm concerned.

Whirl (Aidan O'Brien/Wayne Lordan) @ 5/1

Musidora heroine is rated superior to all bar Desert Flower in this field and the way she improved between her reappearance at Curragh and five-and-a-half-length triumph at York makes her very dangerous to assess. It's a negative that Moore has chosen against her, but I give her an excellent chance anyway.

Giselle (Aidan O'Brien/Colin Keane) @ 10/1

Another bidding to provide O'Brien his 11th victory in the Betfred Oaks. Highly-impressive against just two rivals in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield last month and closely-enough matched with stablemate Whirl on juvenile form. Another with a fine chance.

Elwateen (Saeed bin Suroor/Jim Crowley) @ 9/1

Supplemented for £30k last weekend, the Betfred 1000 Guineas fourth is a very interesting contender for Saaed bin Suroor. It was an excellent effort at Newmarket on just her second ever start, and the Dubawi filly no doubt has a lot more to offer. Looks a good bet at current prices.

Revoir (Ralph Beckett/Hector Crouch) @ 10/1

Just touched off by the reopposing Qilin Queen - race-fit and already rated 95 - on reappearance in a Listed race at Newbury last month. That was just her second-ever start and this half-sister to Coronation Stakes runner-up Remarquee ought to reverse that form. Not crazy to think she could trouble the judge.

Wemighttakedlongway (Joseph O'Brien/Dylan Browne McMonagle) @ 14/1

For me, the each-way value in the Betfred Oaks. The daughter of Australia beat Minnie Hauk in a Cork maiden last year and after finishing fifth to Betfred Derby favourite Delacroix in an open Group 3 at Leopardstown this March, won readily at the same level at Navan. Looks overpriced to me.

Qilin Queen (Ed Walker/Tom Marquand) @ 25/1

Per the above, I expect her to find at least one rival too good on Saturday. Her form is solid, but another level is required here. She can run a nice race, but I'd be surprised if she lands the £325k prize.

Go Go Boots (John & Thady Gosden/Oisin Murphy) @ 50/1

The Gosdens have won four of the last 11 renewals of the Betfred Oaks, so their only runner for the 2025 edition warrants some respect. That being said, the Night Of Thunder filly has plenty to find on the majority of these.

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