Will Moktasaab prove a hat-trick hero for Harry Redknapp in Oaks day handicap?

3.45 Epsom
Cazoo Handicap (Class 2) | 1m2f | 4yo+ | ITV/RTV

Stalls one and two are renowned graveyard boxes in mile-and-a-half races at Epsom but the same is not true of contests over a mile and a quarter at the Surrey course.

In the 12 ten-runner-plus races over a mile and a quarter in the past five years at Epsom, one winner was berthed in the one box and four came from stall two.

In contrast, Adayar’s victory in last season’s Derby was the sole success from a runner in the lowest two stalls from 23 ten-runner-plus mile-and-a-half races in the last five seasons.

Assuming horses avoid the stands side in the home straight in the Cazoo Handicap, which has happened in eight of the previous ten runnings, the lowest two stalls can provide a ground-saving route over this trip at Epsom.

The Roger Varian-trained Royal Champion has drawn the lowest stall and is among the most intriguing runners in this field.

Varian is back firing on all cylinders after a quiet patch and a 31 per cent strike-rate over the past fortnight makes him one of the hottest trainers around. Backing all his runners in that timeframe would have yielded a £27.35 profit to £1 stakes.

Royal Champion has run only four times and makes his handicap debut off a mark of 97 following a gelding operation.

Varian’s 19 per cent strike-rate with first-time geldings is perfectly respectable and this four-year-old is highly regarded judged purely on SPs.

After winning his maiden impressively, Royal Champion was sent off the 2-1 favourite for a Listed race landed by Highland Avenue, was an 8-1 shot in last season’s Dante and a 5-1 chance to dethrone Chindit when dropped in trip for the Doncaster Mile on his return.

His recent performances have flattered to deceive, but we are surely yet to see the best of this half-brother to Outbox.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

'It's hugely exciting for Harry'

Former Premier League manager Harry Redknapp has the favourite in the warm-up for the Cazoo Oaks in the shape of Moktasaab, who is unbeaten in two starts since joining William Knight.

Redknapp, who will be in the thick of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations at the track, picked up the son of Lope De Vega for 110,000gns at the Tattersalls Autumn Horses-In-Training Sale last year and has been impressive in winning at Newbury and Goodwood.

William Knight: trainer of MoktasaabCredit: Ed Whitaker

Knight said: "Harry will be there as he’s being entertained in one of the boxes and it’s hugely exciting to have a fancied runner in the race before the Oaks.

"This sort of race was the remit from Harry, that he wanted a 'Saturday horse' if you like. When he won at Newbury I thought we’d go to Goodwood and then here and then the John Smith's Cup at York, so we’re sticking to that."

On the chances of Moktasaab completing the hat-trick, he added: "He’s working his way through the handicap system. I thought he was impressive on his first two starts for us and providing he handles the idiosyncrasies of Epsom, like he did Goodwood's, he’s the one to beat."

What they say

David Menuisier, trainer of Soto Sizzler
He’s rated 105 now so is quite high in the handicap, but we know he handles the track as he won well there in April, since when we’ve had this race in mind. He’s well drawn [3] and Ryan Moore is back on board so there's plenty to like about his chances.

David Probert, rider of Good Birthday
He’s badly drawn [13] but needs a bit of cover, so it's not the end of the world and if they go a good gallop he should finish his race off well.

Richard Spencer, trainer of The City’s Phantom
He won well at Yarmouth last time in a race he won the previous year and will enjoy drying conditions as he wants good ground.

William Jarvis, trainer of Arqoob
He has a bad draw [12] but goes there in good form and I expect him to outrun his odds. He wintered in Bahrain, which was a success, and he has come back well from that.

Jim Boyle, trainer of Bad Company
He would have preferred it softer but he goes on good ground and won well at Newmarket last time. Whether he can win a race of this nature off his current mark, I don’t know, but he has a good draw [2] and could bowl along.
Reporting by David Milnes

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