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Lancashire Oaks Betting: Vita Nova favourite but Gertrude Bell could be the pick

Vita Nova has moved into outright favouritism for Saturday's Lancashire Oaks at Haydock after Jim Bolger opted not to declare Royal Ascot winner Banimpire for the Group Two race. It leaves a small field of just seven fillies and mares for the one mile, three furlong trip and Vita Nova is an industry best priced 7/4 with race sponsor Bet 365, with Gertrude Bell likely to provide the stiffest challenge from 7/2.

Bolger opted to bypass the race in favour of keeping Banimpire fresh for the Irish Oaks, which has left Sir Henry Cecil with a great chance of adding to his seven winners in the Lancashire Oaks. Cecil hasn't picked up a win since Sacred Song in 2001, but he appears to have a fine chance with Vita Nova.

Cecil's improving filly opened the season with a win to make it three from three but lost her unbeaten record over the course and distance when beaten by Ferdoos last month. The 4-year-old has done little wrong in her four race career thus far, but we fancy Gertrude Bell could be the pick of the two at the head of the betting.

John Gosden has claimed two winners in the last eight renewals of the race and his Gertrude Bell looks a very decent punt at 7/2. Last year's Cheshire Oaks winner beat Pollys Mark to victory on her seasonal reappearance in a Listed race at Goodwood in April, and we fancy she should be all the better for that run. The 4-year-old filly should also thrive on the Haydock track and it is well worth remembering that she was a more than respectable fourth in last year's Epsom Oaks.

The next best in the betting is Sir Michael Stoute's Eleanora Duse at 4/1 with B365. The 4-year-old was a two time winner and a hugely impressive fourth in the Group One Yorkshire Oaks last year, and she will be looking to kick on this season. She was sixth on her reappearance at Newmarket last month, but she should not be ruled out on the basis of that performance as it was over 1m 1f and the step up in trip should suit this weekend.

Meanwhile, Clive Cox's Pollys Mark is available at 5/1 after losing out by a head to Gertrude Bell at Goodwood. The 5-year-old was also fourth in the Noblesse Stakes and is back for a second crack at the Lancashire Oaks after losing out to Barshiba, who became the only horse to win this race more than once, last year. A key factor could be how she runs with a visor for the first time on Saturday though.

A clutch of three year olds complete the field and Dorcas Lane looks the best of those at a tempting 8/1 in the betting with Bet365.com. Lucy Wadham's filly ran brilliantly to finish third in the Ribblesdale Stakes on softer ground, but should thrive on faster ground after placing in all five of her races to date.

Mick Channon's Fork Handles (20/1) was last of thirteen in the Epsom Oaks but will need to improve on her first time in blinkers, with Bilidn (50/1) completing the field and facing a big step up in class for Clive Brittain.

Latest Lancashire Oaks Betting

7/4 Vita Nova
7/2 Gertrude Bell
4/1 Eleanora Duse
5/1 Pollys Mark
8/1 Dorcas Lane
20/1 Fork Handles
50/1 Bilidn

All odds are supplied courtesy of Bet365.com, with best odds guaranteed on all British and Irish horse racing.

Posted: Friday, 1st July 2011
Author: Chris James
Tags: vita nova, gertrude bell, haydock, bet365,

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