'George thinks she'll run a big race' - Mystery Angel added to Oaks field

The first four home in the Musidora Stakes at York this month are on course to clash again in the Cazoo Oaks on Friday after Mystery Angel was supplemented for the Epsom Classic.

Trained by George Boughey, Mystery Angel won the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket at the beginning of May before finishing a creditable fourth behind Snowfall, Noon Star and Teona at York.

The daughter of Kodi Bear was added to the list of runners for the £375,000 Group 1 at a cost of £17,000 by her owners, Nick Bradley Racing, after a pleasing gallop at Epsom on Monday.

Oaks card

Following Shale's scratching from the Oaks field this week, 15 fillies remain in contention, including current 9-4 market leader Santa Barbara.

George Boughey: trainer of Oaks candidate Mystery Angel

Bradley said: "I left it to George for the most part, but we did go through the field and came to the conclusion that she is firmly in the middle of the pack in terms of chances.

"It was the form she was in at home that spurred the decision. George thinks she'll run a big race and that she'll like the track. She's a very professional filly who should like the ground."

Mystery Angel has never run at Epsom but has a good record at Newmarket and Bradley believes that experience should stand her in good stead in the Oaks.

"George was adamant that she won at Newmarket because she was familiar with the course," he said. "She works and canters there every day so she was playing at home that day.

"Epsom is not home but it would be similar in terms of the nature of the undulations. Ben [Curtis, jockey] is getting the leg-up and it's great to be giving him a ride in a Classic.

"She has plenty of experience, which should be a real help at Epsom. There's only one Oaks and so we thought we had to give it a go. We go there with a nice each-way chance."

Bradley's racing operation allows individuals to buy smaller shares in horses and, with two runners entered for the Woodcote Stakes on Oaks day, he is expecting a big turnout from his members at Epsom.

He added: "On the back of Covid and everything now being relaxed our members are desperate to get out to some big days. I've never been racing as much as I've been in the last couple of weeks.

"It's great for all the members to have such a big day to look forward to. Epsom have been very accommodating in terms of getting us badges and we should have about 50 at Epsom on Friday."

Al Aasy: ante-post favourite for the Coronation Cup at Epsom on FridayCredit: Edward Whitaker

In Friday's other marquee contest, Al Aasy will face a maximum of ten rivals in the Group 1 Coral Coronation Cup.

The four-year-old is a general 8-11 shot to win his first race at the top level, while Love, who has not been seen since last year's Yorkshire Oaks, is a 3-1 shot.

Albaflora, who impressed in the Buckhounds Stakes at Ascot this month, has been supplemented for the race by owner Kirsten Rausing and is a general 5-1 chance.

Read more on today's most popular stories

'I got a barrage of abuse' - George Baker relives Cotai Glory's moment of mayhem

'Best odds guaranteed is a safety blanket that arguably shouldn't exist'

Covid travel issues could prevent Andre Fabre from adding to Royal Ascot tally

Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here