Epsom Derby Betting / Alex Steedman / 03 June 2010 /

Alex Steedman takes a close look at Friday's Epsom card, where he believes that a first class pedigree could be key to this year's Oaks Champion. Meanwhile, to bet or not to bet - that could be the question in the day's closing race.

Like a posse of would be brides scrimmaging for the wedding bouquet, there are plenty of pouting princesses shouting for Oaks glory in a particularly open renewal.

Aviate [6.2] is top of the pile and comes into this as a rapid improver and an unbeaten contender. She accelerated impressively at York in the Musidora -the same race Sariska landed en route to Epsom - but the jury is still out regarding the Oaks distance. She is related to milers and is already stretching the limits in that regard, so the door is ajar for a Group performer who stays.

Rumoush [9.0] has a pedigree to die for and the profile of a potential champion. She is a half sister to last year's Guineas winner Ghanaati but also to Mawatheeq, who Marcus Tregoning improved from handicap company to finish second in the 2009 Champion Stakes. He stayed 12 furlongs well and Rumoush is more stamina laden being by Rahy. Her seventh position against the draw bias in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket was a sound effort and there is plenty more under that bonnet.

Akdarena looks the strongest stayer in the race and boasts step forward form at Listed and Group Three level. She demolished older horses last time and ought to improve again with an extra quarter-mile in her favour. Jim Bolger's filly looks dangerous and fairly priced at [9.0].

The most interesting contender has to be Remember When [10.0] who really caught the eye with a strong late surge to take fourth in the Irish 1000 Guineas last month. Her half brother Dylan Thomas narrowly failed to win the Derby before going on to be a star and the late Danehill features in both their pedigrees. But as the sire of both Choisir and Mastercraftsman, Danehill Dancer has yet to prove he can foster genuine mile-and-a-half horses and stamina is a slight concern.

My Oaks 123 is Rumoush to beat Akdarena and Remember When.

Elsewhere, Friday might just post further evidence of a Suroor surge with both Alexandros and Shakespearean in action. I'm interested in the 16:50, where Shakespearean returns to action at Listed level. He won a Group Three last season and ran respectably in the Racing Post Trophy behind St Nicholas Abbey before being transferred to Godolphin. With Group One entries at both Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood this looks the perfect platform in a very winnable race.

Frankie Dettori is the link between Shakespearean and Al Farahidi who will be fancied in the closing 17:25. His Spring Cup second at Haydock was remarkable given the lick he went in the early stages and that form with Balducci looks strong. There is the danger of Al Farahidi being overbet here but he'll be more economically ridden by Frankie and I'd be interested in him as a back-to-lay, getting out at a point which reckons with your punting policy. Do at least consider a 1pt saver on Treadwell who came from a ridiculous position at York last time and having bumped into the joint owner on Monday, I know he's fancied.

Selections:

16:05 Rumoush 2pts Win
16:50 Shakespearean 2pts Win
17:25 Al Farhidi 5 pts Back to lay
Treadwell 1pt Win

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