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Ballydoyle Dominate Irish Oaks Confirmations, But Epsom Rematch Unlikely

A rematch between Minnie Hauk (Frankel) and Whirl (Wootton Bassett) in Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh is unlikely, according to trainer Aidan O'Brien, who was responsible for six of the nine fillies left in the Classic on Tuesday. Just a neck separated the two stablemates when they met in the Oaks at Epsom, with Minnie Hauk edging ahead in the final strides to get the better of the gutsy Whirl, who has since gained a first Group 1 success of her own when seeing off her elders...

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Black-Type Analysis: Charlotte's Web One to Watch in Newcastle Feature

Friday, Newcastle, post time: 19:05, JENNINGSBET IN DELVES HOPPINGS FILLIES' STAKES-G3, £65,000, 3yo/up, f/m, 10f 42yT Field: Charlotte's Web (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}), Diamond Rain (GB) (Shamardal), Golden Ocean (Ger) (Blue Point {Ire}), Imperial Quarter (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}), Morrophore (Fr) (Kingman {GB}), Tasmania (Ger) (Australia {GB}), Anna Swan (GB) (Almanzor {Fr}). TDN Verdict: Diamond Rain beat the solid yardstick Running Lion in Haydock's Listed Hedge Of Oak Stakes last month and sets the standard, but Charlotte's Web is a proven all-weather performer and a fresh filly having enjoyed a...

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Page Impressions: Examining the Derby and Oaks Pedigrees 

For so long now we have been used to the Galileo factor at Epsom, and while none of his final small crop of 13 has made the line-up for the Derby or the Oaks, we still find his name all over the place on the pages of this year's runners, merely starting to shuffle back a bit in the generation game.  Galileo's sons Frankel, Australia and Circus Maximus each have at least one runner in the Derby, and Frankel and Australia also have Oaks runners. Eight of the 19 Derby...

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Oaks Favourite Desert Flower Features Among Nine Confirmations

Following Saturday's confirmation stage, Godolphin's 1,000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower (Night Of Thunder) is one of nine possible runners in Friday's Betfred Oaks at Epsom. Unbeaten in five career starts, culminating with a comfortable defeat of Flight and Simmering in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, Desert Flower is the sponsor's 7/4 favourite to complete a Classic double at Epsom, a feat last achieved by the Aidan O'Brien-trained Love five years ago. O'Brien is responsible for three of the remaining nine contenders in Giselle (Frankel), the wide-margin winner of the Listed...

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