TV TIPS (FRIDAY) - OAKS DAY

It's the opening day of Epsom's premier meeting as the Oaks takes centre stage on Friday before the Derby takes over tomorrow. 13:30 EPSOM

A 'trappy' renewal of the Surrey Stakes to get the meeting underway. Likely favourite Diego Ventura was third on his return behind the future Irish 2000 Guineas runner-up and followed that up with a win at Longchamp, his best form is with cut in the ground so the forecasted rain will be a huge plus for him. Hallasan probably holds the best two-year-old form after beating the future French Derby Winner, but his form so far as a three-year-old has left him exposed. Formal showed smart form early on as a two-year-old but was found wanting on soft ground in a Group 2, was again found wanting on return in a Guineas trial, may be seen to better effect on going with "firm" in the description, which is unlikely on Friday. Glamis Road down in trip and with the forecasted rain set to arrive is one who could go well at a big price.

DIEGO VENTURA (WIN)

(Liam Hall)

14:05 EPSOM

It's no shock to see Maximized currently top the market after he turned over a well-touted stablemate in good style at Haydock on debut. Charlie Appleby's team are flying along at present, so this £720,000 yearling purchase commands every inch of respect. However, at the expected prices, it could pay to side with the Eve Johnson Houghton-trained Havana Hurricane, who showed bundles of promise when defeating the reopposing subsequent scorer Logi Bear by two lengths on debut at Goodwood. That Goodwood experience should stand him in good stead at Epsom, while stepping up to six furlongs looks like an obvious plus for this son of Havana Gold, who represents the same stable that landed this prize with a nice type two years ago.

HAVANA HURRICANE (WIN)

(Sam King)

14:40 EPSOM

You Got To Me won the Irish Oaks last year and will go much better over this trip. She’s in receipt of weight and seemingly goes well off a break. Interesting how she copes in this company. Jan Brueghel found his reappearance far too short, considering he’s won over four furlongs further. He will appreciate the step up in trip, but may find this too fast still. Also, if connections fancy a trip down under for the Melbourne Cup, this might hinder his weight. Regardless, he has the class. It’s pretty remarkable that Calandagan hasn’t won a Group One yet. Was unlucky in Meydan and again at Ascot. His second to City Of Troy at York last year is stellar form, and surely he gets the business done today.

CALANDAGAN (WIN)

(Kieran McHugh)

15:15 EPSOM

A competitive handicap race on paper sees Mutaawid as the slight current favourite.

He seemed to love the good to firm at Newmarket last time out, winning away by six lengths. The ten-pound rise, though isn't ideal at all, and given he's raced right-handed tracks, you would worry about the track and its quirks.

Defiance is up there in the market but hasn't been seen in nearly a year. which to me seems a big ask. Seemed to go backwards form-wise towards his latter runs.

Akecheta is the Irish raider in the race, and possibly looks like a dark horse and will be leaving it all too late. Though I have to question the jockey booking. Who I don't think is up to the task. Of bringing a horse home very late. Other jockeys surely must have been available?

You could pick a fair few of these. But I'm going to go for one at a big price. Who is the only runner here who is a course and distance winner in Simply Sondheim. It is a bit of a left-field selection, and he could be just coming here for something else in mind for another day. But he is lowly weighted, will be suited by this trip, and you know won't mind the quirks of Epsom. wouldn't want it rattling quick ground, so I'm hoping the clerk can be trusted when he thinks it'll be on the slower side of good this week.

SIMPLY SONDHEIM (E/W)

(Luke Tucker)

16:00 EPSOM

The unbeaten Charlie Appleby runner Desert Flower signed off last season with a seriously impressive Group 1 victory in the Bet365 Fillies Mile at Newmarket in October and returned with another strong finish and victory in the 1000 Guineas on return last month. She’s clear on ratings but this is one classic that has so far eluded Charlie Appleby and I’m not 100% convinced Desert Flower will see out the trip as strongly as some of her rivals so I have to take her on today.

Aidan O’Brien has won this race seven times since 2012 and once again looks the trainer to concentrate on when looking for the most likely winner. In truth, none of his trio can be ruled out - Minnie Hauk was in command where it mattered when winning the Cheshire Oaks last month and this extra furlong looks sure to suit, especially with that run under her belt, while Giselle won as a 30/100 shot should when winning a Listed Oaks trial by nine lengths at Lingfield last month, yet preference is for the stable’s third runner Whirl who really caught the eye when winning the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York when last seen, drawing clear when asked to extend around a furlong out to win by almost six lengths. Despite jockey Ryan Moore opting for Minnie Hauk I think Whirl is as solid an each-way option as they come.

WHIRL (E/W)

(Dean Kilbryde)

16:35 EPSOM

A competitive mile handicap is up next, and where better to start than with last year’s winner, Two Tempting. He arrives in good form, having won last time out, but that success means he’s now 13lbs higher than when landing this race last year. Combined with a relatively high draw, he looks opposable today.

Flight Plan bounced back to form with victory in the Thirsk Hunt Cup, following a disappointing four-year-old campaign last year. A 3lb rise seems fair, but once again, a wide draw could hinder his chances especially given his preference to race prominently.

Mirsky proved frustrating to follow last season but finally got his head in front last time out. With Oisin Murphy now taking the ride and a handy draw in stall 1, he should be very competitive.

However, my selection is Ebt’s Guard. Gelded over the winter, he made a winning return in the Spring Cup, finishing ahead of Two Tempting. He was beaten last time by a very good horse, and the runner-up has since won, giving the form a solid boost. Drawn well in stall 3 and with previous creditable efforts at this track, he has a strong chance and should be right in the mix.

EBT'S GUARD (E/W)

(Toby Darby)