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The Oaks betting odds for Friday had Rhododendron as the 5/6 favorite to win, with Enable having the second shortest odds at 6/1.
How Good is Rhododendron
Enable trainer John Gosden expressed apprehension over having to take on trainer Aidan O'Brien's 1000 Guineas runner-up Rhododendron.
"The last thing Aidan wants is a walkover - he likes his horses competing at the top level. We've got to take him on and make it as competitive as we can," said the Clarehaven handler.
"I know the favourite is a fabulous filly. She is a legitimate favourite and was unlucky in the Guineas.
"Enable is in good form and breezed on Monday morning. We were very happy with her run at Chester and she handled the track very well."
Sporting Life Preview
Aidan O'Brien has already landed the Guineas double in both England and Ireland and RHODODENDRON (NAP) can continue his remarkable Classic spree. The daughter of Galileo was unlucky in running at Newmarket although it is questionable whether she would have beaten dual Guineas heroine, Winter. Nevertheless it was a run brimful of promise for the rest of the season and she looks to have strong claims of continuing the O'Brien domination of English Classics. Enable is the obvious danger on the back of a very comfortable Chester Oaks success when accounting for another Ballydoyle contender in Alluringly. The Gosden filly seems sure to improve again after only three starts and Epsom should suit after the way the daughter of Nathaniel handled Chester. Sobetsu impressed in landing the Group 1 Prix Saint-Alary on her reappearance and it's a bold and intriguing decision to run here instead of the French Oaks. The lightly-raced Natavia and Horseplay make most appeal of those at longer odds and it's good to see an American challenger in Daddys Lil Darling, runner-up last time in the Kentucky Oaks.
Rhododendron 5/6
Enable 6/1
Sobetsu 8/1
Natavia 11/1
Coronet 9/1
Horseplay 14/1
Alluringly 18/1
Isabel De Urbina 25/1
Daddys Lil Darling 40/1
Pocketfullofdreams 100/1
- Alistair Prescott, Gambling911.com
