Horse Racing: Gosden gives glowing update on his leading Oaks pair

WHILE we won’t see the long-time Investec Derby favourite Too Darn Hot next week, John Gosden has high hopes in Friday’s feature, the Investec Oaks.

The Newmarket-based trainer is set to be represented by both Mehdaayih and Anapurna in the fillies’ Classic, both of whom were impressive winners of their respective trials at Chester and Lingfield recently.

Mehdaayih’s win in the Cheshire Oaks catapulted her into favouritism for the second fillies’ Classic of the year and the daughter of Frankel looks set to be supplemented: “The owner is very keen to supplement her, as are we, so that will happen this week.”

Anapurna is another daughter of the star sire and Gosden is hopeful both his contenders will handle the unique nature of Epsom.

"Both are athletic fillies who are light on their feet and while both are young and still have plenty of scope for improvement, I couldn’t be happier with them.”

Gosden is aiming to win the Oaks for a third time and of his two runners this year, he believes Mehdaayih may have the slightly stronger credentials.

“The betting slightly indicates that. It was a very strong trial at Chester, with the form of the second and third. But I couldn’t have been more delighted with the other filly at Lingfield and we’ve got two very realistic chances in the race."

Meanwhile, spectators were given a glimpse of one of the Oaks outsiders, the Roger Varian-trained Tauteke, who worked under Andrea Atzeni at the Surrey track.

"I was delighted with how she moved and how she finished going through the line,” said Varian. “It will do her the world of good.”

Even though she is no leading fancy at 50/1, we have seen in the past with the likes of Talent and Taghrooda that a trot around Epsom can be invaluable preparation ahead of the big race.