Kevin Stott’s William Hill Blog: I could be driving a Cadillac at Epsom

Having had a couple of nice winners last week, I’m hoping that this weekend will follow suit as Epsom. I’ve got four rides on Friday, which should all have a decent chance if they show their best side on the day.

Epsom, Friday

Up first on Friday is Cadillac in the 10 furlong handicap (3.45pm) for George Boughey. He’ll have cheekpieces on for the first time and he’s got more in his favour this time, now that he’s down to a more competitive mark and the ground will be more to his liking. Having only had three runs for George so far, it’s still early days for this horse-trainer combination, and he has been drawn a bit wide for our liking, but he should be able to bounce back from last time’s disappointing run at Newmarket.

In the Oaks (4.30pm) I ride Maman Joon. She’s only had one previous start, when she was second at Newbury to Gather Ye Rosebuds on pretty testing ground. As such, she’s open to plenty of improvement, especially on the better ground which we are convinced will help her out massively. She’s stepping up in trip by two furlongs for this, and the increase in distance is a bit of a question for her, but the same can be said for lots of the other fillies running. We’ve got an okay draw in stall seven, so I’m hoping that we can jump well and get a nice position in behind the leaders. I think she can outrun her odds and should run a big race.

Then there’s Olivia Maralda in the Surrey Stakes (5.10pm). I think she’s my best chance of the day, having run well in the 1000 Guineas for seventh place on pretty horrible ground. She’s got a weight allowance, being a filly, which will help her on the ratings. With her I’ll be wanting to jump out well and gain a good position, and we’ve every reason to think she can finish well on the better ground.

Last of the day on Friday is Pocket The Profit in the seven furlong handicap (5.45pm). He can be a bit slowly away sometimes, so for him I’ll be hoping for a strong gallop from which he can produce his usual late flourish. I think he needed his comeback run in May at Doncaster, and hopefully he can improve for it. He’s got a nice draw in two, but – as he often breaks slowly – he might not make the best use of it. Luckily, he’s pretty versatile ground-wise, so won’t have a problem with whatever the conditions end up as. A good pace is essential for him, so I hope the race is run to his liking for him to do his best.