It’s Oaks Day 2026 ahead of Epsom’s two-day Derby Festival, and racing expert Dave Massey gives his thoughts ahead of the second fillies’ classic of the season. Read his exclusive preview for kwiff below.
Epsom Derby Festival: Oaks Day 2026 Preview
The Goodwood handicap that Wedonttelllies won last time seems as good a start point as any. That was an improved effort from the winner, who appreciated a drop back top the minimum trip, was able to lay up midfield and come through to win with plenty in hand. The track shouldn’t pose a problem, stall 4 is ideal if Billy Loughnane wants to come around the field as they congregate up the near rail and the only question is how he would handle slower ground.
Oaks Day 2026: Wedonttelllies (1:30)
Back in third that day was Coyy, who was badly outpaced for much of the contest but stayed on strongly for third, and although he has ground to make up on the winner, isn’t discounted if he can handle the slower conditions. Again, stall 6 is not a bad one to be drawn in, it should mean he can avoid traffic problems early and the booking of Saffie Osborne – who rode Wedonttelllies at Goodwood – is interesting.
Oaks Day 2026: Bolster (3:15)
I’ve already backed Bolster (3.15) earlier in the week, knowing the rain was coming, and I’d be delighted if a bit more fell before Friday. The more that falls, the better his chance. Winner of this two years ago, he drew a blank in 2025 but ran pretty much to form on a couple of occasions, suggesting the engine was intact, and he returns this season having been gelded, and also had wind surgery, plus Karl Burke throws some cheekpieces at him for good measure.
We’ve seen this season how being gelded can suddenly improve one of Karl’s, with Night Raider now looking the champion sprinter we thought he might be, so we can take that as a positive, and he can go well fresh too, with form figures of 114 after a 150+ day break. It all looks like he’s been readied to try and win this again – just pray for more rain before Friday.
Oaks Day 2026: Amelia Earheart (4.00)
I was really taken with Amelia Earheart (4.00) on looks at Chester, she really did stand out in the paddock and was far too good for her rivals in the Cheshire Oaks, a race Minnie Hauk won last year before coming here. The question would be the ground, if it got soft; her better form has come on quicker, but such is her size I could see her handling it fine. She is the one to beat, for all the market tells you that anyway.
Oaks Day 2026: Principality (4.40)
Low numbers seem to have held sway in this, whatever the field size, and soft ground two years ago saw four of the five lowest stalls fill the frame. Principality (4.40) just falls outside of those parameters in stall 6, but that’s good enough, and he has more than enough ticks in boxes here to suggest he should go well.
Proven both on good to soft ground and a downhill/switchback track, having twice won at Goodwood, one of those wins coming with cut, he bounced right back to form when winning at Nottingham last time, getting on top late to beat a useful handicap yardstick in Helm Rock. The handicapper has only put him up a couple of pounds for that, leaving him still looking well handicapped.
Oaks Day 2026: Mister Bluebird (5.15)
There’s a stunningly obvious one in here in the shape of Mister Bluebird (5.15), for whom Colin Keane was booked very early in the week and rightly so. Placed on both runs at Epsom, he goes on pretty much all ground but his latest two wins have both come on ground described as good to soft by Timeform. Comes here bang in form after seconds at Musselburgh and Goodwood (not his only good effort at Goodwood, further proof he likes a downhill track) and for a front-runner stall 6 looks ideal. Just looks a really solid option.
By Dave Massey
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