Epsom

PUNTERS are convinced they know who Ryan Moore will ride in the Epsom Oaks – after an intriguing price crash came seemingly out of nowhere.

Aidan O’Brien has three in the Friday Classic ahead of Thursday’s declarations.

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But just who Moore would choose out of Giselle, Whirl and Minnie Hauk looked anyone’s guess.

Bookies thought they had some inkling as they made Minnie Hauk, who was 8-1 just 48 hours ago, the outsider of the Ballydoyle trio.

But the Cheshire Oaks winner’s price has been smashed into as short as 7-2 following a tidal wave of support.

Punters think her odds crashing – and Giselle and Whirl’s going the opposite way – are a sign Moore has chosen who he will partner, with one proclaiming: “That’s Ryan Moore’s ride.”

Paddy Power’s Paul Binfield said: “The front two in the Oaks market have both been strong today, but particularly Cheshire Oaks heroine Minnie Hauk.

“That support would indicate that punters are pretty sure that of Aidan O’Brien’s three possible protagonists, Ryan Moore has chosen to partner this very talented Frankel filly.”

Whoever Moore rides will have to go some to beat Charlie Appleby’s red-hot Oaks favourite Desert Flower, though.

The 1000 Guineas winner has been obliterated into just 6-5 with some firms.

Legendary jockey Kieran Fallon, who rides out at trainer Charlie Appleby’s Moulton Paddocks yard, said she was a cut above.

And punters think so too, with Desert Flower looking like she could be the shortest-price winner since O’Brien’s 11-10 Love in 2020.

Epsom Oaks odds via Paddy Power

5-4 Desert Flower
7-2 Minnie Hauk
7-1 Giselle, Whirl
10-1 Elwateen, Revoir
20-1 Quilin Queen, Wemighttakedlongway
50-1 Go Go Boots

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THERE was heartbreak for King Charles as his star filly was among a huge number of horses removed from the Epsom Oaks.

Top trainer William Haggas scratched Charles and Camilla’s Purple Rainbow from the year’s biggest race.

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Bred by the late Queen Elizabeth II, Purple Rainbow had one win from three runs in the famous Royal silks.

But it looks like she is destined for handicaps rather than the elite level after finishing fourth on her return at Ascot last month.

Haggas pulled the plug on her Oaks chances during Tuesday morning’s scratching stage.

The decision came days after King Charles’ first runner with Willie Mullins was denied a dream win in a dramatic photo finish.

A mass of runners – 34 in all – were axed from the June 6 Group 1 over 1m4f, worth just shy of £120,000 to the winner.

Aidan O’Brien, who has won three of the past five Oaks, was among the big names removing a number of his entries.

Among the more notable of his was 14-1 chance Ballet Slippers.

The daughter of Dubawi, who finished third to current Oaks favourite Desert Flower when last seen in October, is yet to run this season.

Group 3 winner Exactly, who had been as short as 20-1, was another pulled, along with fellow 20-1 chance Dreamy.

O’Brien had previously said after her Group 3 win over a mile at the Curragh last August that he hoped she was an Oaks filly.

While Smoken, who was sent off 5-2 favourite for the Musidora at York last week before finishing a tailed-off last, was axed by Ralph Beckett.

The winner of that race, Whirl, kept her place in O’Brien’s squad.

His Cheshire Oaks winner Minnie Hauk looks the best chance of victory being as short as 7-2.

While O’Brien’s other big Coolmore chance Giselle is into 5s.

Charlie Appleby’s 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower kept her place in the race, with bookies cutting her to as short as 2-1 favourite.

While Owen Burrows’ Listed Newmarket winner Falakeyah – one of just 14 left in the race – was cut to 5s.

Epsom Oaks runners

Desert Flower
Falakeyah
Giselle
Go Go Boots
Island Hopping
Janey Mackers
January
Lake Victoria
Minnie Hauk
Qilin Queen
Revoir
Trad Jazz
Wemightakedlongway
Whirl

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A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chases their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
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Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.