Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks
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Fillies' Listed, Chester 14:35
£120,000 guaranteed,
3yo only,
1m 3f 75y, Class 1   
Wednesday 7th May 2025

SureWIn

Anthony Oppenheimer is looking for clues as Queen Of Thieves lines up here – and there’s a sense that the daughter of Frankel is only just scratching the surface.

The Yarmouth win last time may have caught the eye more than the field – “I don’t think the opposition was overly serious,” Oppenheimer noted with candour – but the manner of victory was not without merit. The John and Thady Gosden-trained filly, a full sister to Cracksman, strode clear in the style of one with gears to spare.

“She stays well and we’re really just experimenting with her,” Oppenheimer admitted. “She’s learning on the job, but there could be improvement to come. This will tell us plenty.”

A step up in class awaits, with the Listed contest often acting as a key trial for bigger targets. “If she finishes in the first three, I’d be very pleased,” he added. “The pedigree suggests the trip will help.”

Standing in her way is a small but select field. Ralph Beckett, who landed the prize last year, sends out That’s Amore, who made a sharp impression on debut at Newbury – quick into stride and gone at the bend.

“She enjoyed herself that day and shaped like the trip would be no issue,” said Beckett. “She’s been away to work and that went well. We’re happy.”

Andrew Balding arrives in red-hot form and saddles Secret Of Love, who hasn’t been seen since finishing runner-up in the Montrose Stakes. That was a solid effort in smart company and hopes are high for her reappearance.

“She’s a decent filly,” said Balding. “The step up in trip looks a good starting point and we’d like to think she’ll be competitive.”

But few races at this level go without an Aidan O’Brien runner, and Minnie Hauk lines up as his latest attempt at a record-extending ninth Cheshire Oaks win. She was second on debut at Cork before going one better at Leopardstown, and the vibes from Ballydoyle are typically measured.

“She’s done well over the winter,” said O’Brien. “We’ve always liked her and she should improve again. The trip will suit.”

As ever at Chester, the draw will play its part – but Queen Of Thieves, with untapped potential and blue-blooded credentials, could yet have the final say if she handles the tight turns and makes the expected leap.

Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks
(Robert Sangster Memorial Cup) (Fillies' Listed)
£120,000 guaranteed, 3yo only, 1m 3f 75y, Class 1
7 entries
Going: Good

NO. (DRAW) FORM HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY
1 (5) 67-21 Caspi Star 3 9-2 Charlie Johnston Silvestre De Sousa
2 (3) 521-1 Kate O'Riley 3 9-2 Michael Bell Saffie Osborne
3 (6) 21- Minnie Hauk 3 9-2 A P O'Brien Ryan Moore
4 (7) 5611-3 Modern Utopia 3 9-2 George Scott Callum Shepherd
5 (4) 5-31 Queen Of Thieves 3 9-2 John & Thady Gosden Kieran Shoemark
6 (1) 612- Secret Of Love 3 9-2 Andrew Balding David Probert
7 (2) 1- That's Amore 3 9-2 Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan

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