Strawberry Roan to miss Oaks

THE top Irish filly Strawberry Roan will miss the Vodafone Epsom Oaks

THE top Irish filly Strawberry Roan will miss the Vodafone Epsom Oaks. The Irish 1,000 Guineas runner up had been one of the main market fancies for the fillies classic next Friday but trainer, Aidan O'Brien, yesterday described her as "a most unlikely runner."

Strawberry Roan is instead likely to reappear in either the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh or the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Meanwhile, Irish apprentice Daragh O'Donohoe hit the big time at Baden Baden yesterday by capturing the £28,409 Group Three Benazet Rennen over six furlongs aboard Ed Dunlop's Monaassib.

Monaassib (57-10) made it four wins in as many starts under O'Donohoe this term.