Who would have thought it? After four Classic races this season on both sides of the Irish Sea, the score between the trainers from the two nations is… Britain 4, Ireland 0. After the Irish routed their British rivals at the Cheltenham festival and with the formidable strength of Aidan O’Brien Co Tipperary yard, that scoreline would not have been predicted by many.
This weekend we see the next two English classics contested on the Epsom Downs: the Betfred Oaks today and the Betfred Derby tomorrow. Although horses from the O’Brien yard head the market for both races, it is not impossible British trainers could come out on top again. From a betting point of view, I hope that is the case.
Since it is only hours away, I will start by scrutinising the Oaks (today, 4.30 p.m.), a Group One contest for 12 of the best three-year-old fillies from both countries.
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