SKYBET rate defending champion Wuheida as a 10-1 chance to retain her *Oaks title in what trainer Phil Simmonds would describe as “a disappointing year.”
Still a puppy when she overcame a tough draw (T5) and horrendous going to win at Belle Vue last December, Wuheida has only raced nine times since, but has trialled on 16 occasions.
Things started well enough in early 2018. The 29 kilo black ran a close second to Bull Run Button in the Racing Post Juvenile and was beaten in a photo finish by Dorotas Vic in the first round of the RPGTV Scottish Derby, but then things started to go wrong.
Phil said: “She picked up a wrist injury, which wasn’t serious, but would have threatened her career had she contested the semi finals. Until then, I was convinced she would make the final. She had that lay-off, then came in season, and we have been chasing it since then.
“She has taken a few batterings, in more than one case because other dogs have been incorrectly seeded, in a way that you wouldn’t see in a graded race. She is a bitch who doesn’t like to be bullied and it has made her a bit careful. She is not draw dependent, can do it from the front or off the pace, but after what has happened, I have tried to get her in races up against her own sex.
“Quite often they don’t fill. The one place where they usually do is Nottingham, and unfortunately, she doesn’t really seem to like the track. I would have entered her in Oaks trialstakes had there been any, but I am not complaining, it is what it is. I was pleased with her recent trial.
“As far as Sunday is concerned, I would hope and expect her to get through to the next round. The longer she stays in the competition, the stronger I expect her to get.”
*In the 80 year history of the English Oaks, only three bitches have retained their titles, the last being Cranog Bet in 1963/4.
| Donation | 8/1 |
| Oi Oi Upenalty | 8/1 |
| Droopys Live | 10/1 |
| Jumeirah Charm | 10/1 |
| Queen Beyonce | 10/1 |
| Wuheida | 10/1 |
| Arthur Noddle | 12/1 |
| Naughty Mollie | 12/1 |
| Brynoffa Rosie | 14/1 |
| Bull Run Byte | 14/1 |
| Jaytee Jordan | 16/1 |
| Jaytee Sienna | 16/1 |
| Move Over Evie | 16/1 |
| Dodgers Drum | 20/1 |
| Rackethall Jess | 20/1 |
| Tea For Tess | 20/1 |
| Droopys Polly | 25/1 |
| Jet Stream Proof | 25/1 |
| Magical Vera | 25/1 |
| Mustang Kay Cee | 28/1 |
| Dunbolg Hanna | 33/1 |
| Shrewd Honcho | 33/1 |
| Chubbys Caviar | 40/1 |
| Galloping Moon | 40/1 |
| Hypnotic Twirl | 40/1 |
| Jaytee Summer | 40/1 |
| Kanturk Repeat | 40/1 |
| Quivers Scholie | 40/1 |
| Sylvias Chloe | 40/1 |
| Droopys Sirius | 50/1 |
| Linden Twiggy | 50/1 |
| Ballymac Eliza | 66/1 |
| Ballynabee Lucy | 66/1 |
| Ballyoak Badger | 66/1 |
| Cadburys Hero | 66/1 |
| Courts Ad Darcy | 66/1 |
| Courts Ad Lee | 66/1 |
| Dunbolg Saoirse | 66/1 |
| Emers Cookie | 66/1 |
| Emers Mist | 66/1 |
| Fridays Marie | 66/1 |
| Loher Honey | 66/1 |
| Lusty Girl | 66/1 |
| Millabbey Thelma | 66/1 |
| Miss Boley | 66/1 |
| Our Sparkle Lady | 66/1 |
| Piemans Princess | 66/1 |
| Poolie Shauna | 66/1 |
| Rangerfield Lass | 66/1 |
| Ravenswood Flo | 66/1 |
| Ballymac Alana | 80/1 |
| Black Eyed Hula | 80/1 |
| Cleenas Mo | 80/1 |
| Droopys Cracker | 80/1 |
| Droopys Greatest | 80/1 |
| Ella Shazza | 80/1 |
| Ilewin Steino | 80/1 |
| Knockadoon Vic | 80/1 |
| Nidderdale Lark | 80/1 |
| Raquel | 80/1 |
| Special Story | 80/1 |
| Eskes Blackmagic | 100/1 |
| Genuine Dream | 100/1 |
| Mitchells Angel | 100/1 |
| Private Lassie | 100/1 |
| Aayamza Bonnie | 150/1 |
| Ace Queen | 150/1 |
| Dunquin Ella | 150/1 |
| Image Kereta | 150/1 |
| Nutters Star | 150/1 |
| Old Fort Brandy | 150/1 |
| Tolpuddle Dawn | 150/1 |
