Aidan O’Brien has strong hand in Classics
Champion Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien holds a strong hand in Britain’s premier Classics at Epsom.
The O’Brien-trained 1000 Guineas winner Minding heads a field of nine declared for Friday’s Oaks as she bids to become the first filly since Kazzia in 2002 to complete the double.
However she goes into the mile-and-a-half (2400m) showpiece on the back of a defeat in the Irish equivalent when second to Jet Setting after suffering a minor head injury leaving the gates.
O’Brien also has Seventh Heaven and Somehow in the Oaks.
Ryan Moore has chosen to ride the O’Brien-trained market leader US Army Ranger in Saturday’s Derby with Jamie Spencer on stablemate Deauville.
The Epsom track has been described as soft, good to soft in places, after rain earlier this week.
Further light rain is forecast over the next couple of days.