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Crowds return to the Curragh for the Derby as O'Brien dominates the Oaks market

It's full steam ahead to next month's Epsom Classics, the and . Market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials are run in Britain and Ireland, but big-race contenders can come from anywhere and it's easy to miss a potential dark horse. Classic Clues, our series running every morning, has you covered. Here's a recap of Friday's news and how it's impacted on the Classic betting.


Market Movers: Another O'Brien fancy backed

The Cazoo Oaks market has seen a significant shift in favour of Divinely, who has shortened to around 10-1 from 40-1 with most bookmakers.

The Aidan O'Brien filly trails stablemates Santa Barbara and Snowfall in the betting, However O’Brien-trained favourites have so far failed to deliver in this year’s Classics, with his two 1,000 Guineas winners coming from his second string.

The daughter of Galileo does have a Group 3 under her belt already, so there is reason to hope she could continue the trend.

Divinely: sister to Found and Cazoo Oaks hopeful
Divinely: sister to Found and Cazoo Oaks hopefulCredit: Patrick McCann

Elsewhere, Save A Forest has moved into 33-1 with Paddy Power for the Oaks, with trainer Roger Varian suggesting she will improve again from previous form when discussing his Classic chances on Thursday.



Classic update: Crowds head to the Curragh

While Classic runners are few and far between on the cards, there was good news at the Curragh with Irish fans able to return to the track for the Derby weekend at the end of June.

The announcement was part of a series of measures that will begin to welcome the public back to racecourses across Ireland, which have been held behind closed doors since March last year.

Three fillies with Juddmonte Irish Oaks ambitions ran on Friday, with Rosscarbery and Sea Karats only able to manage second in their respective runs, and Ulster Blackwater coming in behind Rosscarbery in fourth.

The Oaks is now less than a week away, and on Friday the going at Epsom was described as good to soft. A dry and warm week is forecast, with temperatures potentially reaching as high as 24C.


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