The Oaks Preview 2026: Epsom Classic Tip As Gosden Filly Appeals

The most important Fillies' race of the season takes place tomorrow at Epsom, with The Oaks the centrepiece of Day One of the revamped for 2926 Betfred Derby Festival. Billy Grimshaw has cast his eye through the field and gives his best bet for Friday's Classic here...

Even with the Oaks field cutting up to nine, this should still be a thrilling affair and barring Precise - who was always a doubtful runner - all the main characters stand their ground. Aidan O'Brien has the  favourite in Amelia Earhart, Ryan Moore takes the ride, and that alone gives the race a familiar shape given the duo's formidable record so far this season in Classics across Europe.This is not a one-filly contest, however. Legacy Link arrives off a strong Musidora win, Venetian Lace brings 1000 Guineas form (often the race called the best Oaks trial), while Thundering On and Cameo add depth to a race that should expose any filly short on stamina, balance or tactical pace. Epsom rarely gives horses an easy time, and this looks like a race where the best traveller may not necessarily be the strongest finisher.

The obvious starting point is Amelia Earhart, because she has the profile, the trainer and the jockey that naturally command respect in a race like this. Aidan O'Brien has made this Classic his own often enough, and Ryan Moore being on board gives her a clear place at the head of the market. Her Chester win was visually taking, not least because she looked much more professional than she had at times as a juvenile. The hood and blinkers combination suggests there has been a little bit of management involved, but she settled well enough around Chester and saw the race out with purpose. That run put her right into the Oaks picture and it is easy to see why plenty will want her on side.

The concern is whether Chester has slightly flattered her in terms of what this race will demand. Epsom is another left-handed track, but her closest contender that day is missing for this outing after being antepost favourite for a time. The field can become unbalanced coming down the hill, position matters turning in, and anything that has to organise itself late can quickly find the race gone. Amelia Earhart has class, but she is short enough in a race where she still has to prove she can produce the same finish after a much more searching middle section of the race. There's no better jockey for a tricky filly than Moore, but at the prices I can avoid her.

LEGACY LINK makes the most appeal for team Gosden. Her Musidora win at York looked a serious Oaks trial ,because she did not just travel and quicken, she had to dig in and show that she wanted the fight. That always matters at Epsom. Plenty of fillies look brilliant in a steadily-run trial, then come here and get found out when the race asks for stamina, balance and attitude all at once. Legacy Link gives the impression she will improve for stepping up to a mile and a half, and the way she hit the line at York suggested this extra distance is exactly what she wants.

The draw in stall one is interesting. It can be a blessing if she gets away cleanly and holds a position, because Colin Keane should be able to save ground and let the race unfold in front of him. The flip side is that she cannot afford to get buried on the rail if the pace steadies and the wider runners start to roll. That is the tactical challenge, but she looks uncomplicated enough to cope with it. John and Thady Gosden know the type of filly required for this test, and Legacy Link looks as though she has been building towards this exact assignment.

Venetian Lace is another fascinating one at a bigger price. Her 1000 Guineas third gives her some of the strongest raw form in the field, and William Buick is a positive booking, but this is a massive step up in distance that may stretch her too thin. There is a world of difference between staying on over a mile at Newmarket and truly seeing out twelve furlongs at Epsom. If she relaxes, she has the class to run a big race. If she burns even a little bit too much fuel early, the final furlong could be a long one.

Thundering On has a more obvious staying profile and comes here for Joseph O'Brien with a progressive look but although she has a flashy turn of foot, I think in time ten furlongs will be what she wants. Epsom tends to ask for every drop of stamina a filly has. The winner will need to travel, stay balanced, handle the camber and keep finding when the pressure comes on from Tattenham Corner.

The race shape should suit something that can hold a handy position, switch off and then keep lengthening rather than merely quicken for a furlong. That brings me back to Legacy Link. She might not have the most fashionable Classic profile in the race, but she has already shown the right blend of quality and toughness. Amelia Earhart is the obvious danger and may be very good, but I find it hard to split the pair on potential and would argue Legacy Link was more impressive in her trial win,  so will take the filly at a much bigger price.