Cecil second–string supported for Oaks glory

LIGHT SHIFT has been clipped into 6-1 for the Vodafone Oaks after some support yesterday.

Ladbrokes have seen money for the Henry Cecil-trained filly and she is now the 6-1 third favourite behind stablemate Passage Of Time and Ed Dunlop’s Dalvina.

Spokesman David Williams said: “Henry Cecil’s second-string has been well supported since her Chester win but it’s moved up a notch.

“Light Shift is slowly but surely making her way up the market.”

Light Shift won the Cheshire Oaks in fine style on her latest start but is Cecil’s secondary hope behind Musidora Stakes winner Passage Of Time, who is now as short as 7-4 favourite with totesport.

The latter has won four of her five starts to date, including last season’s Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud, and appears to hold every chance of presenting the Warren Place handler with an eighth Oaks victory.

Cecil is happy with both contenders and is keeping his fingers crossed for a trouble-free preparation.

He said: “The two Oaks fillies seem fine at the moment and are gradually working up to June 1.

“They have both come out of their respective races well and I hope will have a clear run up to Epsom,” he told www.henrycecil.com.

Ladbrokes also report each-way support for the Michael Jarvis-trained Silkwood, although she is not a certain runner.

The Sheikh Mohammed-owned filly has won two of her three starts to date, beating subsequent winner Bergonzi on her most recent outing at Sandown.

Silkwood is entered in a handicap at Newmarket on Sunday but that option has already been ruled out, leaving connections to ponder a Classic bid.

“She doesn’t run this weekend and there has been no decision on the Oaks at the moment,” said Jarvis.

“She’s worked this morning, she seems fine and I need to speak to the powers that be.

“There will be a decision made some time next week.”

Stan James have also slashed the Singspiel filly to 33-1 from 66s, with totesport matching that price after going 40-1 yesterday morning.

Vodafone Oaks betting:

Ladbrokes: 2-1 Passage Of Time, 4-1 Dalvina, 6-1 Light Shift, 8-1 Measured Tempo, Simply Perfect, 10-1 Four Sins, 12-1 All My Loving, 20-1 Sweet Lilly, 25-1 Dance Of Light, Silkwood, 33-1 bar.

Totesport: 7-4 Passage Of Time, 4-1 Dalvina, 6-1 Light Shift, 8-1 Measured Tempo, Simply Perfect, 10-1 Four Sins, 14-1 All My Loving, 20-1 Dance Of Light, 25-1 Peeping Fawn, 33-1 Folk Opera, Silkwood, 40-1 bar.