SHAMROCK’S AT EPSOM, THE CURRAGH AND TRAMORE: As well as his Oaks fancy today, Shamrock checks out the Irish evening meetings at The Curragh and Tramore.

EVERYWHERE BUT THE LINE: He suffered a neck defeat at Tipperary yesterday when Fair Dilemma (2nd 14-1), his sole outsider, led until four out, was overtaken until the next flight, then took over again and lasted out until a stride or two before the line.

EPSOM: After Fair Dilemma yesterday, I have another dilemma today: Wonder Of Wonders or Misty For Me in the Epsom Oaks? It seems to happen with Ballydoyle in every race!

They don’t run their horses for you and me, but it also shows what immense strength in depth the Aidan O’Brien team has again this year. Wonder Of Wonders is superbly bred and looked the real thing in the Cheshire Oaks but ‘Misty’ has shown class in so many ways, not just in the one race.

She made all in the Moyglare on firm but came from behind to win the Marcel Boussac on soft. This shows going versatility, positioning, attitude, and – since both were over a mile, one on soft – today’s trip in her second season shouldn’t be a problem on genuinely good ground.

St Nicholas Abbey (2.45) won the five-runner Ormonde on a tricky track at Chester, so a similar field for a tactical race shouldn’t bother him. Aidan O’Brien is four out of six in the Coronation, and I think ‘Nick’ will have too many guns for Midday who has bullied fillies and mares but has a big Montjeu boyo to contend with here.

CURRAGH: With Seamie Heffernan away at Epsom, Colm O’Donoghue has the meeting to himself at The Curragh, starting with a much-heralded O’Brien two-year-old, Vault (5.30), though Hit The Jackpot and Oh Happy Days are well bred, so the market is wide open this morning.

Viscount Nelson (7.05) has gone odds on this morning and must be the O’Brien banker, since Eagle Canyon (6.00) and Pirate Chest (7.35) have both had plenty of chances.

TRAMORE: Here’s my outsider and, for the life of me, can we please know where the winning post is? Not four out, not three out, not a yard before the line!
I decided after Kilbeggan to follow Florin, an Oscar mare, who – if she doesn’t win her maiden here – will be a knocking bet when going handicapping.

SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Misty For Me (4.05 Epsom)
NEXT BEST: Viscount Nelson (7.05 The Curragh)
OUTSIDER: Florin (6.40 Tramore)
DAQ MULTIPLES: St Nicholas Abbey (2.45 Epsom), Misty For Me (4.05 Epsom), Viscount Nelson (7.05 The Curragh)