AMELIA EARHART CAN TAKE FLIGHT AT EPSOM

By Josh Luckhurst, Press Association

Amelia Earhart should justify her favourite tag and carry Aidan O’Brien to a 12th Betfred Oaks success at Epsom.

It took the Camelot filly five attempts to shed her maiden tag in October at Leopardstown, but she did so in emphatic style with a seven-length victory.

However, her impressive two-length Cheshire Oaks triumph on the Roodee last month catapulted Amelia Earhart into contention for the Classic, especially with the softer conditions not thought to be an issue.

Her win at Chester proved stamina is not a problem and with Ryan Moore booked ahead of two stablemates, O’Brien could be heading to an eighth victory in the last 12 renewals.

Persica has a perfect record at Epsom and has a great chance to make it three from three when defending his Betfred Diomed Stakes crown.

Richard Hannon’s five-year-old finished over five lengths behind Damysus in fourth when reappearing in the Earl of Sefton Stakes, but the New Bay colt tends to need a run before he gets his season up and running.

He is the only horse in the field to have won at this track, having won a handicap in 2024 before edging out Ice Max, who reopposes, by three-quarters of length in last year’s contest.

Northern Champion hopes to translate his winning formula on foreign soil on British shores in the Cygames Surrey Stakes.

Ed Walker’s Wootton Bassett colt won on his debut in France and after two unsuccessful runs at Newmarket and ParisLongchamp, he won twice in Meydan over the winter.

The three-year-old finished down the field in the Al Quoz on Dubai World Cup night when last seen, but those experiences will do him the world of good ahead of what could be a busy summer.

Possessive was an impressive winner on his debut for Karl Burke and can improve further to take the Oddschecker British EBF Woodcote Stakes.

The two-year-old son of Lucky Vega and German 1000 Guineas Txope showed plenty of heart in a competitive novice at York at the Dante Festival to secure a one-length success and could be another cab off the Spigot Lodge handler’s high-quality production line of juveniles.

Bill The Bull’s narrow reversal in the National Stakes should set him up for glory in the Juddmonte EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes at Bath.

Adam Kirby’s stable star came fourth in the Listed race at Sandown last week, but he was amongst the four-way tussle and eventually finished only a length behind Royal Ascot-bound winner Where Love Lives.

The Coulsty juvenile will make a quick return to the track in Somerset and still has plenty of progression in his locker.

Roger Varian’s Venetian Gold can improve when stepping up to a mile in the BetGoodwin Top UK Online Bookie Apprentice Fillies’ Restricted Novice Stakes at Goodwood.

After finishing fourth on debut at Doncaster, she got her head in front at Kempton last month and returns to turf with renewed hope and a distance which should suit better.

On Doncaster’s evening card, Thunder Call can build on his stirring all-weather victory in the Rotabroach Proudly Supports WPCC Handicap.

A comprehensive winner by six lengths at Kempton, William Haggas’ Pinatubo colt came second on heavy ground at Town Moor in November and should appreciate the step up to seven furlongs this time around.

Charlie Johnston’s Time For The Moon should progress after his close third on debut when running in the Menzies Meander EBF Restricted Novice Stakes at Musselburgh, while Military Girl aims for successive victories for Michael Dods in Thirsk’s Stirrup Room Delicious Deli-Box Dining Fillies’ Handicap.

Top tips for today’s UK meetings

TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
EPSOM: Race 1: 14.30 Naana’s Shadow, Race 2: 15.05 Possessive, Race 3: 15.40 Persica, Race 4: 16.15 Sallaal, Race 5: 17.00 AMELIA EARHART (NAP), Race 6: 17.40 Celeborn, Race 7: 18.15 Northern Champion, Race 8: 18.50 Monarch’s Gold.

THIRSK: Race 1: 14.40 Eagle Bay, Race 2: 15.15 Tip Foster, Race 3: 15.50 Irish Dancer, Race 4: 16.30 Taygar, Race 5: 17.10 King Of Berkshire, Race 6: 17.45 Military Girl, Race 7: 18.20 Showtown.

MUSSELBURGH: Race 1: 14.50 Velvet Whisper, Race 2: 15.25 Time For The Moon, Race 3: 16.00 Homestrait, Race 4: 16.40 Union Island, Race 5: 17.15 I’m Next, Race 6: 17.50 Lope Y Linda.

BATH: Race 1: 18.00 Abando, Race 2: 18.35 Bill The Bull, Race 3: 19.05 Tickettothestars, Race 4: 19.40 The Flying Seagull, Race 5: 20.15 Wedgewood, Race 6: 20.50 Sisters In The Sky, Race 7: 21.25 Mali Star, Race 8: 22.00 Man Is King.

DONCASTER: Race 1: 18.10 Sweet Kiss, Race 2: 18.45 Le Morbihan, Race 3: 19.20 Seet, Race 4: 19.55 Thunder Call, Race 5: 20.30 Cavolo Nero, Race 6: 21.05 Lord Bertie, Race 7: 21.40 Domination.

GOODWOOD: Race 1: 18.25 Bizou, Race 2: 18.55 Venetian Gold, Race 3: 19.27 Cameley Days, Race 4: 20.02 Ice Cube, Race 5: 20.37 Cristo, Race 6: 21.12 Sixpack.

ALL TO COME: Possessive and Amelia Earhart (Epsom, Races 2 and 5).

For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za