'12-1 is a tempting price for this handicapper' - James Stevens gives his views on Friday's ITV action at Epsom

What’s the big story?

It is all eyes on Epsom for a Classic Friday as nine fillies are given the chance to etch their name in Betfred Oaks (4.00) history.

Desert Flower is already on the Classic roll of honour having produced a sensational performance in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Godolphin's unbeaten daughter of Night Of Thunder has to overcome a half-mile longer trip but is the hot favourite as William Buick and Charlie Appleby bid for a first Oaks success.

However, Aidan O'Brien has won this race ten times and has three trial winners lining up. His number one jockey Ryan Moore has elected to ride impressive Chester winner Minnie Hauk.

Who wins the Oaks?

I have been so impressed by Desert Flower and would go as far as to say you could slightly upgrade her Guineas win as William Buick had to make all, but she still finished strongly out of the Dip. She's straightforward, has so much class and is versatile with regard to ground. She wins.

The each-way bet is Giselle. Ryan Moore has rejected her in favour of Minnie Hauk but there is very little between the O'Brien three and I liked how smoothly she won at Lingfield, even if it was one of the poorest Classic trials ever run. She will handle Epsom fine and has the class to be competitive.

I rarely back a forecast but Desert Flower and Giselle is rather tempting.

Desert Flower16:00 Epsom

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Jky: William Buick Tnr: Charlie Appleby

Giselle16:00 Epsom

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Jky: Colin Keane Tnr: A P O'Brien

What about the Coronation Cup?

It is amazing to think the third best turf horse on the planet has never won a Group 1, but the French-trained Calandagan might finally get his day in the Betfred Coronation Cup (2.40).

He produced an incredible effort to go down by just a length in second to City Of Troy in last year's Juddmonte International. He filled the same spot in the Champion Stakes and in a strong Dubai Sheema Classic on his only start this season in April, but this is the easiest opportunity he has had for a breakthrough at the top level.

The string of seconds might mean it is tempting to take him on, but the gelding is 7lb better on official ratings than the second favourite, last season's St Leger winner Jan Brueghel. Pour Moi's jockey Mickael Barzalona knows what it takes to win at Epsom, and how to celebrate, too.

What are the best bets of the day?

Hallasan looks solid in the opening Nyetimber Surrey Stakes (1.30). He's got some smart form, including his sales race win at Doncaster, and 7f at Epsom might just be what he needs.

I'll take a chance on Defiance in the 1m2f handicap (3.15). He's thrown in off a mark of 99 on the form of his second to Bellum Justum in the Blue Riband Trial here last year. A 350-day break is a challenge but Roger Varian is brilliant with these middle-distance types.

It's not an ITV race but Local Hero is a huge price in the 7f handicap (5.10). He has been running well, including last time when travelling very smoothly in a good mile handicap at Haydock before fading in the final furlong. A return to 7f should suit, he should handle the track and 12-1 is a tempting price.

Friday's ITV schedule

1.30 Epsom Nyetimber Surrey Stakes (Listed), 7f, 3yo
2.05 Epsom Betfred British EBF Woodcote Stakes, 6f, 2yo
2.40 Epsom Betfred Coronation Cup (Group 1), 1m4f, 4yo+
3.15 Epsom Betfred Nifty 50 Handicap, 1m2f, 4yo+
4.00 Epsom Betfred Oaks (Group 1), 1m4f, 3yo fillies
4.35 Epsom Trustatrader Handicap, 1m½f, 4yo+

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