Jaysella’s Friday Selections for 6th June 2025

Jaysella’s Friday Selections from Epsom

Nyetimber Surrey Stakes (Listed) 1.30
Diego Ventura
This is a nice race to gets things under way on Oaks day here at Epsom, and I’m backing Diego Ventura to do the business. He got off to a good start in the Listed King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket last month, a race won by the smart Cosmic Year, and sent over to ParisLongchamp as an odds-on jolly, won with a bit in hand under Christophe Soumillon once given some rein. Saqqara Sands looks worth a market check and Karl Burke’s Rebels Gamble both get on my list, but Diego Ventura gets my vote.

Betfred British EBF Woodcote Stakes (Conditions Race) 2.05
Norman’s Cay
Well, he left it late on his debut under rules, but Richard Hannon’s Norman’s Cay just got the better of Son Of Sarabi at Doncaster on the opening day of the season. Wrapped up since then, this is a good chance to keep the two year old campaign unbeaten, before some bigger dates in the diary at Newbury & Newmarket. Charlie Appleby’s Maximised was impressive enough on his first run at Haydock Park, so is noted, while Eve Johnson-Houghton always does well with her youngsters so Havana Hurricane can also figure. Richard Hannon has his Wiltshire yards in fine form, so Norman’s Cay is the one I think will come in with this extra furlong a plus.

Betfred Coronation Cup (Group 1) 2.40
Calandagan (nap)

Francis-Henri Graffard’s Calandagan is my pick for the Coronation Cup, as we take our first look at the Epsom Classic course in 2025. This Gleneagles gelding is one of Europe’s best middle distance horses, only once finishing out of the first two from nine career starts, and I’m pretty sure that record isn’t under threat. He was a 1 length second to City Of Troy on good to firm ground at Ascot’s Royal meeting last year, so with stacks of form on soft going back home in France, I’m not too bothered how the ground turns out after this week’s rain – Calandagan should be just fine, and it’s hard to forget Mikel Barzalona’s win on Pour Moi in the 2011 Derby. I mean, the cheeky chappy stood up in his stirrups before he crossed the line after his stunning last to first move in the home straight paid off! I’d love it if he can do the same again! Aidan O’Brien has the best record in the Derby, so his string always have to be shortlisted, so Jan Brueghel, last year’s St Leger winner is considered, and Marco Botti’s Giavellotto has certainly got the stamina for this trip over Epsom’s undulations, if taking to this course. I can’t get away from Calandagan for the win, with Giavellotto my each way angle under the brilliant Oisin Murphy.

Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap 3.15
Mutaawid
I’ll take the gamble that the going doesn’t cut up too much for Mutaawid, which would give me some worries, but this Frankel gelding is easily capable of winning this. Jim Crowley’s in the hot seat, and with George Boughey’s Botanical in the line-up, this looks a workable mark for this handicap, and I’m sure he’s going to go close. If the rain does have an impact on Friday’s card, that could bring David Menuisier’s Ashariba into the picture, so the Irish bred filly is my reserve pick. Mutaawid to score for John & Thady Gosden, with Ashariba the one to chase him home if there’s still rain about.

Betfred Oaks (Group 1) (Fillies) 4.00
Desert Flower (nb)
I’m finding it hard to get away from Desert Flower for the Oaks, despite the threat of rain this week giving Charlie Appleby’s unbeaten filly a less familiar surface to cope with. Having said that, there was her brilliant performance in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket, to end her two year old season on good to soft ground in the book, so maybe my worries over this aren’t so grave. But, and I’m saying this with extra emphasis, if there is plenty of dig in this ground, that can play into the hands of the Irish raiders, who are more used to it, so not only do Aidan O’Brien’s trio enter the equation, but Joseph O’Brien’s Wemightakedlongway stands out as an each way punt, looking at her last run on soft ground at Navan. But, as I’ve said in the Podcast before, winning the Epsom Classics takes more dimensions to a horse; speed for sure, but balance and an ability to change cadence to cope with the ups and downs of the course are crucial too, plus a jockey that knows when to push the button. Fascinating, but I’ve gotta stick with Desert Flower as the stand out filly in this field.