AIDAN AIMS TO SWEEP THE BOARD AGAIN

Andrew Newton discusses whether the O'Brien yard can continue its dominance in this year's Oaks

It’s June already folks – halfway through the year and won’t be long before the Christmas adverts are on the telly again!

Yes, 2023 is chugging along nicely and as all horse racing fans know – the month of June is all about two of the biggest meeting of the season – the Epsom Derby Meeting towards the start and then Royal Ascot during the third week.

The five-day Royal meeting promises to be spectacle again this year and, or course, it will be the first in a long time without the Queen.

However, before that we’ve also got the third and fourth of the English Classics to look forward to - the Epsom Oaks and Derby, this year run on June 2-3.

Epsom Oaks – The fillies’ Classic this year will be staged on Friday June 2 and the big question is……… will it be one-way traffic for the Aidan O’Brien camp again? The Ballydoyle maestro has won six of the last eight runnings, including the last three renewals.

Twelve months ago, O’Brien was on target again as we witnessed his Tuesday win the race by a shorthead – beating Emily Upjohn in a battle up the Epsom straight. That was O’Brien’s tenth win in this famous fillies Classic.

And in the process O’Brien is now just three wins away from equalling the haul of trainer Robert Robson, who won thirteen Epsom Oaks prices in the 1800’s!

You feel it won’t be long before he’s overtaking poor old RR and have the likely favourite again with easy Cheshire Oaks winner Savethelastdance.