By Anita Chambers, PA
Elwateen can create a surprise by besting hot favourite Desert Flower in the Betfred Oaks at Epson.
Desert Flower is the rightful market leader for the 12-furlong fillies' Classic after an all-the-way success in last month's 1000 Guineas, in which the selection was beaten just over two lengths in fourth.
Sent off a 22-1 shot, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Elwateen was having just the second start of her career at Newmarket, having won a Kempton maiden last August before a persistent setback forced her to miss tougher tests at the end of the campaign.
Her inexperience did not seem to hold her back in the Guineas and while Desert Flower had her measure at a mile, Elwateen's pedigree possibly suggests she is more likely to see out this mile-and-a-half trip and she is obviously still open to lots of improvement.
Calandagan is the pick in the other Group One contest of the afternoon, the Betfred Coronation Cup.
The Francis Graffard-trained gelding was incredibly impressive in winning the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot last year before giving City Of Troy something to think about when beaten just a length in the Juddmonte International at York.
Only Anmaat got the better of him in the Champion Stakes when not enjoying an ideal run, while the Sheema Classic at Meydan in April turned into a bit of a sprint, which probably did not favour him on his seasonal bow.
Calandagan should be sharper for that and would be a noteworthy winner in the colours of the Aga Khan Studs, with the late owner honoured in the title of Saturday's Derby.
Diego Ventura can make it a quickfire Listed double in the Nyetimber Surrey Stakes.
He narrowly prevailed at this level at ParisLongchamp last time out, after finding Classic-placed Cosmic Year a tough nut to crack when third on his seasonal bow at Newmarket. Seven furlongs looks to be his trip and given the uncertain weather forecast, any ease would not bother him.
Away from Epsom, Captain Vallo continues to perform consistently well and can enjoy his moment in the spotlight in the Saddle Room Deliciously Casual Cafe Dining Handicap at Thirsk.
A run of placed efforts has seen his mark stick around its current level of 61 and he is clearly competitive off such a perch.
At Doncaster, Sea The Light can build on a winning debut for John Butler in the Hits Radio Proudly Supports WPCC Novice Stakes.
Top tips for today’s UK meetings
TAB is betting on 5 UK meetings today. Here are the tips.
THIRSK: Race 1: 14.15 Blunder, Race 2: 14.50 Latynina, Race 3: 15.25 Banana, Race 4: 16.00
Captain Vallo, Race 5: 16.40 Over Spiced, Race 6: 17.20 Thrilling Dream, Race 7: 17.55
Maddelina, Race 8: 18.30 Monetize.
EPSOM: Race 1: 14.30 Diego Ventura, Race 2: 15.05 Maximized, Race 3: 15.40 CALANDAGAN
(NAP), Race 4: 16.15 Rathgar, Race 5: 17.00 Elwateen, Race 6: 17.35 Bopedro, Race 7: 18.10
Darkness.
BATH: Race 1: 18.15 Hidden Pearl, Race 2: 18.45 Fishermans Cottage, Race 3: 19.20 Secret
Santa, Race 4: 19.55 Khaldiya, Race 5: 20.30 Wedgewood, Race 6: 21.05 Aikhal, Race 7: 21.40
Union Island.
GOODWOOD: Race 1: 18.25 Platinum Prince, Race 2: 18.59 Silent City, Race 3: 19.34 Cables
Queen, Race 4: 20.09 Whizz By, Race 5: 20.44 Lunario, Race 6: 21.19 Big Bear Hug.
DONCASTER: Race 1: 18.34 V Twelve, Race 2: 19.05 Singing In Paris, Race 3: 19.40 Sea The
Light, Race 4: 20.15 Dembe, Race 5: 20.50 Up The Pace, Race 6: 21.25 Kats Bob, Race 7: 22.00
Blue Tempus.
ALL TO COME: Calandagan and Elwateen (Epsom, Races 3 and 5).
For fields, race betting and more information go to www.tab.co.za