Epsom contenders on trial: what you need to know before Wednesday's action

The 2021 Flat season is well under way and it's full steam ahead to the first of the Irish Classics this month – the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas and Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas – and next month's Epsom Classics, the Cazoo Derby and Cazoo Oaks.

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 new series running every morning, has you covered.

Here's a recap of Tuesday's action and how it's impacted the Classic betting, while we mark your card with key names to note today.

Racing round-up: fillies fail to fire

The fillies' maiden at Gowran Park appeared to be the most likely source of big-race clues before racing on Tuesday, but the three runners in the field with Irish Classic entries failed to fire behind Holly Golightly, a daughter of Gleneagles who impressed on her third start.

Friendly, who is entered in the Irish 1,000 Guineas but remains a maiden after seven starts, finished a length and three-quarters behind the 14-1 shot, with New York Angel, who is also entered in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, a further half-length back in third.

In France, Saiydabad advertised his Prix du Jockey Club credentials when winning a Listed contest at Chantilly for his trainer Jean-Claude Rouget.

Jean-Claude Rouget: could have a French Derby contender in SaiydabadCredit: Patrick McCann

Results, replays and analysis

Market movers

Cazoo Oaks

Zeyaadah 18-1 (from 20), Sky Bet
Loyal 33-1 (from 40), Betway

Cazoo Derby

Mac Swiney 12-1 (from 14), Paddy Power
Kyprios 20-1 (from 33), William Hill

Today's action: all eyes on Chester

Wirko is a general 16-1 shot for the Cazoo Derby at Epsom but will likely shorten in the market if he lands the Chester Vase (3.15). The son of Kingman won the Listed Blue Riband Trial at Epsom last time.

Wirko (left): winner of the Blue Riband Trial at EpsomCredit: Alan Crowhurst

He heads the market for Wednesday's Group 3 ahead of the John and Thady Gosden-trained Law Of The Sea, who won impressively at Leicester last time and is as big as 66-1 in the Derby market.

Other Derby entries Youth Spirit, Sandhurst and Pleasant Man, as well as Irish 2,000 Guineas entry Fancy Man, complete the six-runner field.

The most recent horse to win the Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks (2.15) before going on to land the Oaks at Epsom was Enable in 2017, while Forever Together finished runner-up here before striking on the Downs in 2018.

Dubai Fountain, the likely favourite for this year's race, finished fourth in the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket last season and is a general 33-1 shot for the Cazoo Oaks. She also holds an entry in the Irish equivalent.

Darlectable You, whose sisters Lah Ti Dar and So Mi Dar, picked up injuries that ruled them out of the Classics, also holds an Oaks entry. She is prominent in the market alongside Zeyaadah and Nicest.

What they said

John Gosden, joint-trainer of Law Of The Sea
He's a consistent staying type who won well at Leicester last time and should do his best work at the finish. The ground will be a bit softer this time, but if he handles it he should run a nice race.

Roger Varian, trainer of Zeyaadah
She has a penalty, but her form was franked in the Pretty Polly at Newmarket on Sunday. She's taken her time to come to hand as it was cold in April, but has improved in her work. She should get the trip and has won on heavy ground so any rain won't bother her.

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Read more on Chester:

Can Wirko or Law Of The Sea give Godolphin a first victory in the Chester Vase?

Exciting prospects line up for red-hot Cheshire Oaks in race with a history of throwing up stars

Yibir on Derby trail for Charlie Appleby in Thursday's Dee Stakes at Chester

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