Epsom Oaks Runners 2024: A guide to the 12 hopefuls

On Friday afternoon (16:30), a field of 12 three-year-old fillies will race at Epsom for the Betfred Oaks.

Ahead of the Classic contest, I've produced an Epsom Oaks Runners guide that lists all the runners and riders, their latest odds and a brief assessment of each contender's chances.

Ylang Ylang (Aidan O'Brien/Ryan Moore) @ 15/8

Ballydoyle's main hope who was talked up during a recent stable tour. The Group 1-winning Frankel filly ran a promising trial in the 1000 Guineas earlier this month, finishing just a length behind the winner in fifth. With that under her belt and the step up in trip likely to suit, she has an excellent chance.

Rubies Are Red (Aidan O'Brien/Wayne Lordan) @ 7/2

O'Brien's other runner. On ratings and jockey bookings, she's the clear second string, but her extremely eye-catching effort in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield just under three weeks ago makes her very interesting. Expect a career-best performance.

Ezeliya (Dermot Weld/Chris Hayes) @ 4/1

Beat the odds to land a competitive Group 3 at Navan last month on her seasonal reappearance and there should be lots more to come from the daughter of Dubawi. Perhaps a little underpriced given that form hasn't worked out so well, but she has her chance.

Forest Fairy (Ralph Beckett/Rossa Ryan) @ 15/2

Alongside stablemate Treasure, she's the most unexposed runner in the field. She won the Cheshire Oaks a few weeks ago on just her second career start and no doubt has a lot more to offer, but will inexperience cost her? That's the concern for me.

Secret Satire (Andrew Balding/Oisin Murphy) @ 11/1

Surprised many - myself included - by landing the Musidora Stakes at the Dante Festival at an SP of 22/1. She would have been impossible to advise on her previous form, but that victory warrants respect. Solid place claims and it wouldn't be a shock if she won it.

You Got To Me (Ralph Beckett/Hector Crouch) @ 11/1

Looks to be Beckett's second string, but there's nothing between her and Forest Fairy on ratings and for me their claims are equal. Beat the significantly shorter-priced Rubies Are Red at Lingfield, but as already suggested I expect that form to be reversed. Each-way shout.

Treasure (Ralph Beckett/James Doyle) @ 14/1

Another for the Beckett team and the sole runner for The King & Queen. She won her only start as a two-year-old and was a respectable fourth, beaten just under two lengths, behind the reopposing You Got To Me and Rubies Are Red at Lingfield. Something to find on those and the others with shorter Epsom Oaks Odds, but she could improve any amount. Interesting.

Dance Sequence (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) @ 22/1

Godolphin rely on this Dubawi filly who was unbeaten as a juvenile, but she was defeated at odds-on first time out this term and was again underwhelming in the 1000 Guineas. She's got a bit to prove now.

Caught U Looking (Noel Meade/Colin Keane) @ 50/1

Despite being the fourth-highest rated horse in the field, her form leaves a bit to be desired. She was beaten a fair way by favourite Ylang Ylang on two occasions last season and was a couple of lengths behind Ezeliya on her seasonal reappearance, so she's ultimately hard to advise.

Making Dreams (Karl Burke/Clifford Lee) @ 50/1

A modest juvenile who bolted up in a Group 3 over in France on her first start this term. That form alone gives her a sniff, but on every single one of her other 11 runs she'd be a fairly shocking winner.

Seward (Ralph Beckett/Silvestre De Sousa) @ 50/1

Sea The Stars filly who was a long way behind Ylang Ylang in the Fillies' Mile last season, but wasn't beaten far at all by stablemate Forest Fairy in the Cheshire Oaks earlier in May. Even on that form, she has a bit to find - but not as much as others priced similarly so she's interesting from an each-way angle.

War Chimes (David Menuisier/Tom Marquand) @ 80/1

Another with a good bit to find going by the formbook. She is unexposed at the trip and her trainer is enjoying a successful season, but that's frankly not enough for me to get excited about her chances.