Open Classic

Carlton House obliged by making a winning return despite looking unsettled through most part of the race. The talent is definitely there, but his keen-ness will have to be corrected if he is to be play a leading role in the top middle-distance races this year. Maybe it was his re-adaptation to the racing surroundings. Colombian, on the other hand, failed to fire. He wasn't far off behind, but , it seems to me that he probably acts better on softer conditions.

Tomorrow is Oaks day and the Fillies Classic looks a very open affair; it would not be surprising that the winner turns out to be a long-shot.

Maybe from the strong Ballydoyle contingent, is the favourite; she lost her unbeaten tag in the 1000 Guineas although she was a staying-on third. Conditions will be different at Epsom as the ground will be much firmer, and possibly better to her liking.

Kailani from the Godolphin team has been supplemented and is the subject of bullish reports from her conditioner, Al Zarooni. Her dam is Kazzia who won the Guineas and Oaks double for the Blue team. Can she emulate her mother? Unbeaten in 2 races, she could still be missing a bit of seasoning and racecourse experience. If she does not fire on the day, she's still got the pedigree to make a very nice filly this year.

There are other promising contenders such as Kissed, The Fugue, Vow and Was in particular, who could snatch this on their best day. A really open race it is, but the experience and unexposed form of Maybe makes her a deserved favourite. She looks to be a good Place bet, and whether she'll get the necessary luck to beat all remains to be seen.

Staying at Epsom, the best chance of the day looks to be Worthadd in the Group 3 Diomed Stakes. The son of Dubawi won a Group 3 race in Germany a fortnight ago and provides the best form of the 6-horse race. He should be in the first 2 and is recommended as an each-way.


Each-way: Worthadd