Iridessa Leads 60 Epsom Oaks Noms

[Wandering Eyes]

The Joseph O’Brien-trained G1SW Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}) stars among 60 entries for the G1 Investec Oaks at Epsom Downs on May 31. The £500,000 1 1/2-mile contest is carded as part of Investec Ladies’ Day. A winner of the G1 Fillies’ Mile for O’Brien and owner Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez, Iridessa, who finished third in the Apr. G3 1000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown on Apr. 6, is joined by the same connections’ Altair (Ire) (Australia {GB}), who won a Dundalk all-weather maiden in January.

France is represented by a threesome of French-trained Oaks entries, and Nicolas Clement trainee Wonderment (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who landed the G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud against males, is the star.

“Wonderment has grown over the winter and looks a picture at the moment,” said Clement. “I could not be happier with her. She was a Group 1 winner as a 2-year-old, we have no doubts about her staying a mile and a half, and we think she will handle Epsom, which is why we decided to make the entry.  She will start off in the [G3] Prix Penelope at Saint-Cloud on May 1 and then depending on how she gets on there, we have the option of the Investec Oaks or the [G1] Prix de Diane.”

O’Brien’s father Aiden has 19 fillies nominated for the second British fillies’ Classic on the calendar and is looking for his eighth victory. Among his entries are G1 Fillies’ Mile bridesmaid Hermosa (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), who was a last out second in the G1 Criterium International at Chantilly in October; and G2 Rockfel S. heroine Just Wonderful (Dansili {GB}).

Two-time Oaks winning-trainer Ralph Beckett has a trio of Lope de Vega (Ire) fillies entered, including G3 Prestige S. victress Antonia De Vega (Ire) and the listed winner Manuela De Vega (Ire). Trainer Richard Hannon has also entered G1 Prix Marcel Boussac third Star Terms (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}).

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