A key early-season trial for the Epsom Oaks, the Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks has historically attracted some highly regarded fillies, with previous winners including Savethelastdance and Thoughts of June, both trained by Aidan O’Brien. Seven runners line up this year, and while not a betting heat for each-way players, it remains an informative Listed contest with several well-bred, progressive types.


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Leading Contenders

MINNIE HAUK (IRE)
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien | Jockey: Ryan Moore
Timeform Rating: 97p
O’Brien has won this race five times in the past decade, and this daughter of Frankel is bred to be high-class. She’s a half-sister to the smart miler Tilsit and comes from the Juddmonte family of Kingman and Oasis Dream. She justified short odds when landing a Leopardstown maiden in the autumn and looks sure to relish this step up in trip. Absent for 200 days, the market may provide clues as to her readiness.

THAT’S AMORE (IRE)
Trainer: Ralph Beckett | Jockey: Rossa Ryan
Timeform Rating: 103p
Made a deep impression on her sole 2yo start when bolting up by six lengths at Newbury. She’s a full sister to 1½m winner Persica and looked a strong stayer even at that early stage. Ralph Beckett’s yard is in good form, and this filly has a profile very much in keeping with recent winners of this race. With a prominent run style and proven ability to travel strongly, she should be well suited by conditions at Chester.

SECRET OF LOVE
Trainer: Andrew Balding | Jockey: David Probert
Timeform Rating: 104p
Comes here with race fitness and Listed form already in the book. She was a staying-on second to Smoken in a Listed race at Newmarket on her final 2yo start, and that form looks solid. From a family that improves with age and distance, she is expected to be suited by this step up in trip. Balding has a 21% strike rate at Chester since 2021, making her a filly to take seriously.


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Main Dangers

QUEEN OF THIEVES
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden | Jockey: Kieran Shoemark
Timeform Rating: 94+
A full sister to the outstanding Cracksman, she routed a weak Yarmouth maiden by 11 lengths on her return and now steps sharply up in class. The form of that race hasn’t yet worked out, but the manner of victory suggests she has untapped potential. A handy position will help from stall 4, and the Gosden yard has won this race in the past.

MODERN UTOPIA (IRE)
Trainer: George Scott | Jockey: Callum Shepherd
Timeform Rating: 102
Won back-to-back handicaps last autumn but looked held on reappearance in a tactical affair at Doncaster. She has useful form on testing ground but has yet to show the same impact on good going. Her hood is retained, and although the pace may not suit her hold-up style, she’s a filly with experience and fitness on her side.


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Interesting Outsider

CASPI STAR
Trainer: Charlie Johnston | Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa
Timeform Rating: 98p
An easy maiden winner at Musselburgh last time, she’s likely to be ridden handily again. There are questions about the depth of that form, and her in-running profile shows a tendency to trade much shorter than SP before weakening late. She’s bred to stay this trip and beyond, but will need another step forward in this stronger company.


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Others

KATE O’RILEY (TFR: 95p) is another maiden winner but had to work hard to win a small-field handicap last time and may find this class rise too demanding. Her half-sibling Big Orange progressed with age and distance, so she’s not one to write off long-term, but others make more appeal for this.


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Noteworthy Trends

Aidan O’Brien has trained five winners of this race in the last ten years.

Front-runners or handy types tend to be favoured at this trip on the Roodee, especially when the pace is steady, as forecast here.

Fillies with a winning debut or Listed placing at 2 often go well in this.

Market support for those returning off a break (Minnie Hauk, That’s Amore) should be watched closely.



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Conclusion

This looks a high-quality renewal of the Cheshire Oaks, with Minnie Hauk bringing Group 1 breeding and the backing of a top stable with an outstanding record in the race. However, That’s Amore made a strong visual impression on debut and has the tactical speed to be well placed throughout. Secret of Love adds depth with solid Listed form, and Queen of Thieves remains an unknown quantity after a wide-margin win. A race to watch with the Oaks in mind.