Joseph O’Brien-trained Thundering On looks capable of handling the unique test posed by Epsom in the G1 Oaks (2405m) on Friday (5 June).

With its steep uphill start, the sweeping descent down to Tattenham Corner and the iconic cambered straight, an Oaks winner must have speed and stamina – a decent draw helps too.

Thundering On, partnered by the 2025 Irish champion Dylan Browne McMonagle, has shown both qualities and starts from a helpful gate five. The Frankel filly underlined her suitability for this Epsom assignment when she quickened clear in impressive style in the G3 Salsabil Stakes (2036m) at Navan in late April, the same trial previously won by 2024 Oaks heroine Ezeliya.

Her astute two-time Melbourne Cup-winning trainer believes this first shot at the distance, and the rain-softened ground, is perfect for his highly rated contender.

“I’d be hopeful (of her getting the trip),” O’Brien said. “Her dam (Thundering Nights) didn’t get further than a mile and a quarter (2000m), that was her maximum, but she is by Frankel. Navan is a stiff test at 10 furlongs, and she certainly was good at the line there.

“Thundering On is training well, she couldn’t have done any more than she did the last day, and I think it’s the right race for her.”

Dangers abound, not least from O’Brien’s father Aidan, who, despite pulling out G1 Irish 1000 Guineas (1600m) winner Precise due to unsuitable ground, still has a predictably strong hand. He has his sights on a sixth European Classic from eight in 2026 following last weekend’s majestic 1-2-3 in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, 2100m).

The Irish training maestro is represented by a third of the nine-runner field.

Ryan Moore had first choice and opted to partner Amelia Earhart (gate four), who won her maiden last year on easy going and caught the eye on her successful three-year-old debut in the Listed Cheshire Oaks (2268m) last month.

Wayne Lordan is on board Cameo (drawn nine), the Wootton Bassett filly who impressed when a wide-margin winner of her prep in the Listed Oaks Trial Stakes at Lingfield over 2321m. Ronan Whelan rides Sugar Island, who was beaten five and a half lengths by stablemate Amelia Earhart when fourth to her last time out.

John & Thady Gosden are hoping Legacy Link can emulate the training duo’s Soul Sister, who used the same preparatory G3 Musidora Stakes (2051m) at York last month as a stepping stone to Oaks glory in 2023, but the ground is an unknown factor. She starts from gate one.

The Juddmonte owners’ retained rider, Colin Keane, was on board in a pleasing gallop at the racecourse last week.

He reported: “She seemed to handle it well, came down the hill well and went to the line nicely.”

Like O’Brien senior, two-time Oaks winner Ralph Beckett is three-handed with On Message, K Sarra and, perhaps the pick of the trio, A La Prochaine (James Doyle), who overcame a poor start to snatch third behind Amelia Earhart in the Cheshire Oaks.

The field for the fillies’ Classic is completed by the William Buick-ridden Venetian Lace, third in the English G1 1000 Guineas (1600m).

The G1 Oaks (2405m) is carded as S1-5 and will be run at 11.00pm (Hong Kong Time) on Friday, 5 June.

Photo: Healy Racing