Racing tips: Emily Dickinson has the pedigree to suit the Irish Oaks

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It's disappointing to come away with no winners on Friday, as I was fairly confident of getting one or two winners at a minimum. I did mention Chateau was a danger in the 2yo race, and it proved that the Windsor Castle form is good and worth following again.

Newbury 1:50

Cadilac will more than likely be a strong favourite in this due to the strong recent form he has, but I don't think he is as ‘bombproof' as what many think he is.

I really like the chances of GROCER JACK, who is only making his third start for the William Haggas stable. On his first two starts, he has run with plenty of credit with both not being ideal for him at the same time. He struggled in what was quite a messy race at Riyadh in a big pot Group 3, where horses making ground from off the pace struggled to get involved, especially for Grocer Jack who didn't have much luck in running. The form of that race looks strong with the winner, Authority, running well to finish third in the Dubai Sheema Classic, which had Yibir in second place.

On his most latest start in France, the ground was soft and the trip was 12f. It seemed like that race was more of a fact-finding mission. Though he handles slow ground and has the stamina for 12f, I think 10f and a quicker surface suits him better, which he gets today. It's worth noting Cadillac has to carry a 3lb penalty which makes him vulnerable.

Curragh 3:45

With Tuesday and Emily Upjohn being NR's in this, it means one of these fillies will bag a Group 1 when on paper none of them has looked to be top-level.

However, with the recent NR's I think the other Emily is worth taking a chance on, EMILY DICKINSON is a good bet at the current odds. She's still a very lightly raced daughter of Dubawi, and was clearly well thought of when being sent off 5/6F for the Lingfield Oaks Trial, where she was very disappointing, finishing 5th/8. Based on that effort she would be of no interest in this, but her most recent run behind Rosscarbery was a very encouraging effort. I am a big fan of Rosscarbery who finished third in the Pretty Polly before being disqualified for weighing in 5lbs too light. Emily Dickinson pushed Rosscarbery to a short-head victory so that rates as decent form to my eyes.

Arguably, she has the perfect pedigree for this race, being out of a previous Irish Oaks winner, Chicquita, whilst being by Dubawi, who has also produced some very classy middle-distance horses.

Newmarket 3:23

I've had Viola down as a winner in waiting, but I think she would be better suited to a 4yo+ race, as giving weight away to the 3yo's makes life difficult. So with that being said, ETERNAL PEARL, is my fancy in this race.

It's strange how I've come to the decision that Eternal Pearl is the most likely winner, as on the back of her second most recent start I thought she was over-hyped, as she was turned over at short odds, and though the form isn't out of this world, I think that simply an off day and there was something for that poor run, as she hung to her right when under pressure, which suggested she wasn't 100%. She won on her most recent start, which was to be expected, considering she went off 2/7F, but it was nice to see her getting her head back in front.

I think this trip is what she wants, despite not showing that at Newbury, as her run at Ascot behind Grand Dame and Mukaddamah (the latter runs in this race today) looked like she needed a stiffer test of stamina than the 8f trip they were running over that day. She has a nice pedigree being by Frankel who produced strong stayers, and out of a listed winning Mare. She proved she stays this trip when finishing a close runner-up to Sea Silk Road at Goodwood, who has since finished second in a Group 2 at Royal Ascot, which is obviously strong form.

I do rate Viola as the main threat, and I am not fully convinced about the Shadwell horse, who doesn't seem as good as her ratings would suggest, and I can see a reverse in the form with Eternal Pearl from when they last met over that shorter trip.

I don't normally suggest/tip multiples, but I will be doing one for Saturday, and depending on how this goes, I might do one every now and again.

Curragh 2:03 – Little Big Bear

Curragh 2:35 – Mr Wagyu (To place)

Saint-Cloud 7:00 – My Prospero

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