Friday 5th June 2026 | Epsom Racecourse | Oaks Day | Good to Firm
Epsom Derby Festival Oaks Day 2026: Eight Races, One Classic and a 14/1 Double to Anchor Your Day
The Epsom Derby Festival gets underway on Friday with Oaks Day – one of the most prestigious fixtures in the Flat racing calendar and a serious eight-race card in its own right. The centrepiece is the 4.00pm Betfred Oaks, a Group 1 Fillies’ Classic over 1m4f where Amelia Earhart, trained by Aidan O’Brien, heads the market after winning the Cheshire Oaks last month.
1.30pm Epsom – Win With ZYN 3yo ‘Dash’ Handicap Tips
Wedonttelllies at 5/1 each-way with Betfred is the selection for Richard Hughes in what Norris calls a race where you dare not blink. The son of No Nay Never won at Goodwood last month and the fact he handled those undulations is a direct pointer to his chances on Epsom’s equally demanding camber. He is up 6lb in the handicap but remains relatively unexposed and can improve again.
The obvious dangers are Naana’s Shadow – a Havana Grey filly beaten just a length at York last time – and Coyy, who finished third behind the selection at Goodwood with Saffie Osborne booked again. Neither can be dismissed, but Wedonttelllies sets the standard at a workable price.
2.05pm Epsom – Oddschecker British EBF Woodcote Stakes Tips
Hickory Lad at 6/1 each-way with BoyleSports is the call for Phillip Makin in the 6f3y Woodcote Stakes. His win over Kodi Bear Light at Musselburgh was a promising effort and that form has been franked since – the Chester defeat came against a smart horse in Adonius. This is only his fourth start and there is plenty more to come.
Possessive is expected to go off favourite having won with something in hand on debut at York and the market reflects that. At a bigger price, Ardad Steve was beaten less than three lengths on debut at Yarmouth and could easily leave that bare form behind – worth an each-way saver.
2.40pm Epsom – Betfred Diomed Stakes Tips (Group 3)
Seagulls Eleven at 9/2 each-way with bet365 is the pick for the 1m113y Group 3, with Oisin Murphy taking the ride. He won in France last month and – crucially – won at Goodwood as a three-year-old, which means the undulations hold no fear for him. Further improvement looks likely on these terms.
Persica is a perfect 2/2 at Epsom and cannot be ignored, but he ran poorly behind Damysus at Newmarket on his return and at a potentially short price he is worth taking on. Qirat is dangerous if gifted a soft lead – he used similar tactics to beat Rosallion at Goodwood last year and could cause problems if allowed to dictate.
3.15pm Epsom – Betfred ‘Nifty 50’ Handicap Tips
Sallaal at 7/2 with BetVictor is the nap selection for the 1m2f17y handicap. Ray Dawson rides again having given him far too much to do on their last outing over course and distance – Sallaal ran on strongly when the gap finally appeared and was an obvious eye-catcher. The pair have kept the combination and Norris is clear: this is a well-handicapped horse ready to make amends.
Respond is probably the biggest danger having won two of his last three and impressed at Chester, while Hand Of God won nicely at Newbury last month but faces an extra 5lb here. Sallaal at 7/2 is one of the two legs of the recommended double and the price looks fair for a horse the form book flags as unlucky.
4.00pm Epsom – Betfred Oaks 2026 Tips – Legacy Link vs the O’Brien Machine
The Betfred Oaks is one of British racing’s five Classics, first run in 1779 and staged over 1m4f for three-year-old fillies on Epsom’s uniquely cambered track. Aidan O’Brien has won the race 11 times, and his team dominate the ante-post market once again in 2026 – but the question every serious punter is asking is whether the favourite’s price accurately reflects the risk.
Amelia Earhart is available at 9/4 and is the clear market leader after winning the Cheshire Oaks last month. The Cheshire Oaks to Epsom route has produced five of the last nine winners, which gives her profile undeniable statistical weight. O’Brien’s Coolmore favourites are 4-from-11 in the Oaks in recent renewals – a formidable strike rate, but one that also means they get beaten more often than they win. Ryan Moore is expected to ride, and the race is live on ITV1, which will sharpen market liquidity significantly through the morning.
Legacy Link at 9/2 with SBK is the selection. She beat Felicitas at York despite not looking fully fit, and the step up to a mile and a half looks certain to suit her. The Musidora at York is one of the most trusted Oaks trials on the calendar, and the Gosden yard has a strong Classic record. If she takes the expected step forward – and there is every reason to think she will – she could be hard to peg back up the Epsom hill.
Thundering On, trained by Joseph O’Brien with Dylan Browne McMonagle booked, is no back number. She bolted up at Navan last time and should not be underestimated on a track that rewards galloping fillies. Cameo could also have a squeak as the Aidan O’Brien second string after impressing at Lingfield. Norris notes that Amelia Earhart “is thought not to be bombproof” – at 9/4 in a Classic, that is precisely the kind of doubt that makes a 9/2 alternative look compelling.
Wider market opinion is more divided than the favourite’s price implies. Multiple analysts have Amelia Earhart as their nap, but the Horse Racing Guide makes Legacy Link their race selection, citing more improvement ahead and the strength of the York trial form. A La Prochaine – who finished second to Amelia Earhart at Chester – has been flagged as an each-way option at 10/1 by several outlets on the basis that the extra trip will suit and stall two gives a track-saving position. Venetian Lace at 12/1–14/1 with William Buick aboard has also attracted each-way interest.
The Bet: Legacy Link to win at 9/2 with SBK. Each-way interest in A La Prochaine at 10/1 for those wanting Oaks cover at a bigger price.
4.40pm Epsom – HKJC World Pool Handicap Tips
Celeborn at 5/1 each-way with talkSPORT BET is the selection for George Boughey, with Billy Loughnane taking the ride. He shaped as though the run was needed when finishing fifth at Newbury on his return last month, and the drop back to a mile here with plenty of pace on looks a smart move. Boughey’s yard is in excellent form and Loughnane continues to ride with authority.
Stem was well beaten at Newbury on return but should improve significantly for the outing. Man Of La Mancha has run well in two competitive handicaps since coming back, and at a bigger price Mirsky could be interesting each-way. Celeborn’s progressive profile is the key hook at 5/1.
5.15pm Epsom – Cygames Surrey Stakes Tips (Listed)
Stellar Sunrise at 11/5 with SBK is the bet for the 7f3y Listed contest. He impressed beating Colori Forever at Newbury and that form has been franked since. The third-place finish last time came behind Saber Strike, who looks a smart horse, so the bare form reads better than the result suggests.
Northern Champion was denied a hat-trick in a Group race in Dubai – that is a high-quality reference point and he could run well here with further progression in the tank. Ten Carat Harry sprung a 28/1 surprise on turf last time and has the attitude to go again, but Stellar Sunrise sets the standard at a price that still carries genuine value.
5.50pm Epsom – Debenhams Handicap Tips
Dance In The Storm at 5/2 with Paddy Power is the second leg of the recommended double in the 7f3y closer. She landed a gamble at Chester on reappearance, running on strongly to win in a manner that left Norris impressed. She looked a fraction rough around the edges that day and should be markedly sharper now – horses who win like that at Chester on their seasonal return rarely go backwards.
Rhoscolyn drops back below his last winning mark and ran well in this race last year, so he is the obvious danger. Zarathos is chasing a hat-trick but needs to prove he can handle Epsom’s gradients. At a big price, Colombier could run into a place for each-way purposes.
Oaks Day 2026 Tips Summary – Best Bets for Friday
Norris sums it up directly: “A seriously competitive eight-race card to kick off The Epsom Derby Festival and no surprise to see my double pays double-figures.” The full race-by-race card in brief:
- 1.30pm: Wedonttelllies – 5/1 each-way (Betfred)
- 2.05pm: Hickory Lad – 6/1 each-way (BoyleSports)
- 2.40pm: Seagulls Eleven – 9/2 each-way (bet365)
- 3.15pm: Sallaal – 7/2 win (BetVictor)
- 4.00pm: Legacy Link – 9/2 win (SBK)
- 4.40pm: Celeborn – 5/1 each-way (talkSPORT BET)
- 5.15pm: Stellar Sunrise – 11/5 win (SBK)
- 5.50pm: Dance In The Storm – 5/2 win (Paddy Power)
The standout bet across the card is the win double on Sallaal and Dance In The Storm at 14/1 with bet365. Sallaal is an eye-catcher in a race he should have won last time, and Dance In The Storm is a progressive filly who ought to be sharper for her Chester return. If you are looking for deeper Epsom analysis, our Betfair analyst’s Derby 1-2-3 prediction for Saturday covers the O’Brien angle in full for day two of the festival.
The Bet: Win double – Sallaal and Dance In The Storm at 14/1 with bet365.
