Yesterday heads O’Brien’s Oaks bid
His main hope is Yesterday, a full-sister to last year’s runner--up Quarter Moon, who is currently disputing favouritism with Hi Dubai at around 7-2.
Yesterday was a Listed winner last season and ran a good trial for Epsom when eighth in the Sagitta 1000 Guineas at Newmarket last time out. O’Brien’s other hope is L’Ancresse, 15th in that race.
Both fillies could run in the Entenmann’s Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh on Sunday.
Godolphin are responsible for four of the 21 horses remaining.
The Maktoum family’s operation have left in Hi Dubai, Gonfilia, Lady Catherine and Mezzo Soprano in the £375,000 Group One contest over a mile and a half on June 6.
Hi Dubai looks to be their main contender to join their past winners Balanchine (1994), Moonshell (1995) and Kazzia (2002).
The Oaks is one of few races to have eluded owner Robert Sangster and he could be represented this year by Ocean Silk, who impressed when taking the Listed Caffreys Lupe Stakes at Goodwood on Wednesday.
Heading the remaining entries is Geminiani. Unbeaten last season, she put up a pleasing seasonal debut when second in the Group Three Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York.
Meanwhile, Saratan denied a strong British challenge to take the Group Three Prix du Palais Royal over seven furlongs at Longchamp yesterday.
Godolphin, second last year, had to settle for the same fate after Meshaheer, ridden by Frankie Dettori, was beaten a length by the Stephane Pasquier-partnered grey. John Gosden’s Mount Abu was a head away third.
Elsewhere, Cheltenham racecourse has emerged as a surprise contender to stage the Royal Ascot meeting in 2005.
Cheltenham is being considered as seriously as York and Newmarket should the meeting be switched as the £180 million redevelopment reaches its peak even though Cheltenham does not have a Flat track as yet.
