RYAN MOORE has warned favourite backers that Frankie Dettori is on one of two ‘very serious’ rivals to Savethelastdance.
Legendary rider Moore will be going all out to deliver genius Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien a whopping 11th Epsom Oaks – and fourth in a row.
PAMoore got the better of Dettori in an Oaks thriller last year and he is hoping for the same this time round to ruin Frankie’s farewell[/caption]
The duo will hope Savethelastdance’s 22-length Chester win last time out was no fluke as they go head-to-head with Dettori’s Soul Sister.
She was a standout winner at York earlier this month and the pair have separated themselves at the head of the market.
Question marks have surfaced over Savethelastdance’s Chester win given the sloppy ground it came on.
But, speaking to Betfair, Moore said that’s of no concern to him – but Dettori is.
The world’s most famous jockey will be racing in his final Oaks and is sure to receive a tidal wave of public support as he looks to go out with a bang.
But speaking of 6-5 fav Savethelastdance, Moore said: “Being honest, I think it will take a very good filly to beat her.
“But there could be two such horses in here in Soul Sister and Running Lion.
“I thought both were very impressive in winning the Musidora and Pretty Polly respectively and if they fully see out this 1m4f trip, which they are possibly not guaranteed to do on pedigree – Soul Sister’s speed in a slowly-run Musidora was the feature of that win – then they are obviously very serious rivals.
“Stamina is not a question mark hanging over my filly.
“The manner in which she kept on picking up and powered through line at Chester was pretty rare.
“You could feel her quickening all the time, even in that ground, and it was a very taking performance.
“Of course, that came on heavy but there is no reason why this quicker surface should be any issue at all. The dam loved fast ground.
“She struck as me as top class at Chester and let’s hope she can prove that here under different conditions, while her draw in four is fine.”
Epsom Oaks betting
Savethelastdance 5-4
Soul Sister 5-2
Running Lion 5-1
Eternal Hope 12-1
20-1 bar