The stall-handlers’ strike did not affect either of the big two races over the weekend. The first on Friday’s Epsom card, a sprint, however, was started by tape, resulting in the favourite, Forever Phoenix, being left at the start facing the wrong way.
Such a fate would probably still not have prevented my selection for the Oaks, Ouija Board, from winning. The 7-2 shot proved that she is the best of her generation over the Classic distance, pulling right away from the previously unbeaten favourite All Too Beautiful at the two-furlong marker, to ease home seven lengths clear under the irresistible Kieron Fallon. Second favourite, Punctillious, finished a further three and a half-lengths away in third.
Fallon struck again in the Derby with a perfectly judged ride on ‘my’ North Light, backed down to 7-2 joint favourite, tracing the pacemaker before pulling four lengths clear and maintaining a one-and-a-half lengths advantage to the finishing post. “I told you so” springs to mind but I am not one to gloat! Only The Resident gives you the winners – every time!
