Cecil just 6-1 to saddle Oaks one-two
Bookmakers believe Henry Cecil has a tremendous chance of taking his Vodafone Oaks tally to eight with victory by one of his two fillies.
The Newmarket trainer saddles hot favourite Passage Of Time and the progressive Light Shift at Epsom on Friday, with the pair 6-1 with Coral to give him a one-two.
The Barking-based firm have Passage Of Time as 13-8 favourite and Light Shift 11-2 after 14 fillies stood their ground at the final declaration stage.
“Henry Cecil has been out of the Epsom winner’s circle for seven years, but he will go there on Friday with a chance to train the Oaks one-two for the first time in his illustrious career,” said Coral’s David Stevens.
Ladbrokes report plenty of confidence behind Passage Of Time.
Spokesman David Williams said: “The Oaks market is beginning to look a little bit like the Derby. There’s little serious interest in anything other than the market leader.
“With the exception of Passage Of Time, the fillies are proving quite easy to back.”
Jeremy Noseda is hoping 1000 Guineas third Simply Perfect will last out the mile and a half.
“I am delighted with the filly. She is in great order. The likely soft ground will not be an issue to her.
“However, it will turn the race into a severe test of stamina and the question mark with Simply Perfect is her ability to stay a mile and a half,” he told www.jeremynoseda.com.
Neil Callan has been booked by Aidan O’Brien to partner the regally-bred Nell Gwyn, one of four Ballydoyle runners.
It will be Callan’s first ride in the fillies’ Classic, and his first ride for Ballydoyle.
“It’s very exciting. My agent has been working really hard to get me a ride in the Oaks and the Derby, but it looked like everything had been snapped up,” said Callan.
“We are obviously delighted to be associated with such a powerful yard.
“I think she should improve for the step up in trip if you look at her pedigree. She’s a full-sister to Rock Of Gibraltar, and he always showed a lot of pace, which is why she has been campaigned over shorter trips.
“This will be her first attempt over further than a mile and these well-bred animals can improve overnight for the step up in trip.”
Seb Sanders believes his mount Kayah has plenty going for her following her victory in the Lingfield Oaks Trial.
“I thought she stayed every yard of the trip at Lingfield and Ralph thinks she’ll go well with cut in the ground. Those two good things are in her favour,” Sanders told At The Races.
“She tries extremely hard as well. She’s won a Listed race and there’s no reason why she shouldn’t have a crack at the Oaks.”
Vodafone Oaks betting:
Coral: 13-8 Passage Of Time, 5-1 Dalvina, 11-2 Light Shift, 8-1 Measured Tempo, 9-1 Four Sins, 11-1 Simply Perfect, 12-1 All My Loving, 18-1 Kayah, 28-1 Dance Of Light, Peeping Fawn, 66-1 bar.
Ladbrokes: 7-4 Passage Of Time, 5-1 Dalvina, Light Shift, 8-1 Four Sins, 10-1 Measured Tempo, Simply Perfect, 12-1 All My Loving, 20-1 Kayah, 25-1 Peeping Fawn, 33-1 bar.
