/ Editor / 31 May 2007 / Leave a Comment

Henry Cecil holds a strong hand in the Group 1 Oaks at Epsom (16.05), a race in which he might easily score a 1-2 via Passage Of Time and Light Shift.

The Betfair ante-post favourite for the Fillies' Classic, Passage Of Light, comfortably came through her trial, York's Group 3 Musidora Stakes, quickening to lead over a furlong out prior to pricking her ears and idling in front. She wasn't fully wound up that day and given her trainer has already won the Oaks an astonishing seven times, he knows more than anyone precisely how to produce a match-fit filly on the big day.

Cecil's other runner, Light Shift, has also had a pleasing preparation, powering home from an initially unpromising position to land the listed Cheshire Oaks. The runner-up that day, All My Loving, needs to improve in order to reverse the placing, however that's by no means a forlorn hope, especially as Aidan O'Brien's filly shapes as if she'll handle Epsom's switchback track without any problems.

O'Brien other three runners, Peeping Fawn, Nell Gwyn, and Cherry Hinton, have yet to prove they stay middle-distances. Peeping Fawn, third in Sunday's Irish 1,000 Guineas, will do well to have recovered from that grueling encounter, while the maiden, Cherry Hinton, is safely held by Four Sins.

Four Sins thumped Cherry Hinton in a 10f Naas Group 3, and, being by a Derby winner, Sinndar, out of a Darshaan mare, she should theoretically thrive over this longer trip. There is also the presence of Mick Kinane in the saddle, which may inhibit all but the bravest of investors to lay the Irish filly to big money.

Unbeaten Dalvina has been the subject of sustained support into second favouritism since trouncing her rivals with a runaway victory in Newmarket's listed Pretty Polly Stakes over 1m2f. Ed Dunlop's representative is taking a big step up in class, neither is she certain to handle the undulations, which may tempt would-be layers into the fray.

Godolphin's Measured Tempo is also unbeaten. Although snapping up Newbury's Swettenham Stud Stakes (1m2f) with a long raking run from two furlongs out, she's recently had a foot problem, a factor that has to be considered a potential negative.

Sixties Icon to grab more Group 1 glory?

High-class four-year-old Sixties Icon has a rock-solid chance in a fascinating renewal of Epsom's Group 1 Coronation Stakes at 15.25.

Successful in last season's St Leger (1m6f), Sixties Icon showed the switch back to 1m4f didn't blunt his speed one iota when putting daylight between himself and his rivals on what was an impressive Newmarket return in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes.

It is terrific to see Sixties Icon clash with 2006 Derby winner Sir Percy, who has failed to fire on both starts since that famous course and distance victory almost a year ago to the day. If the vibes from the Marcus Tregoning stable are positive, Sir Percy might well be back to his brilliant best on the home gallops, but until the colt does it again on track, his supporters will need nerves of steel.

Paddock inspection for the 2005 Leger winner Scorpion could prove crucial. Scorpion was sweaty and edgy prior to his reverse when failing to justify favouritism in Chester's 1m5f Group 3 Ormonde Stakes. Doubtless, those keen to lay Mick Kinane's mount will be swift to spot any similar worrying signs in the preliminaries and act accordingly.

Aidan O'Brien's other entry Septimus demonstrated no such frailties when making a triumphant reappearance in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month. Four wins from only six lifetime starts represents a fabulous haul for the son of Sadler's Wells, form which will ensure he'll be included in many win players calculations.

Maraahel, successful in the 2006 Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, has come out all guns blazing this year, winning both of his starts. The son of Alzao has had his detractors in the past, however he's currently right on top of his game and looks a risky lay in anyone's book.

Both Hattan and more especially Rising Cross have a bit to find on official figures and need to produce career best performances if they are to cause an upset.

Step up in grade no problem for Annemasse

Stepping up in grade from handicap to listed company should pose no problems for Mark Johnton's progressive Epsom raider Annemasse at 16.50.

Johnston's three-year-old put up a career best by some way when second in the red-hot Silver Bowl Heritage Handicap last Saturday, a performance which suggests he's far from peaked just yet. In-play traders might also be on the case, principally because from Annemasse's advantageous draw in stall 1, he could easily poach a useful early lead and subsequently prove very hard to peg back.

Escape Route, an unlucky loser when denied a clear run at Lingfield (7f, good to firm)), will need a clearer passage if he's to claw back the massive losses incurred when odds-on to win that handicap. Clearly highly regarded by the Gosden team, it'll be interesting to see if early trades suggest Escape Route will be capable of handling the prevailing soft ground.

There seems to be no excuses for Mofarij's shocker when last of four on his Windsor (1m) return. Godolphin's colt ran a cracker on easy ground at Newmarket (7f) last season and if the market speaks in his favour, could well bounce back to snap up this decent prize.

Solid Rock, a pretty useful juvenile, has clearly trained on, judged by his close-up listed Ascot (6f) fourth placing. The Terry Mills'-trained colt has won over 7f in the past and is well worth a second look in the place market.

The strength of Heywood's Chester 6f victory has since been devalued by the second horse running poorly, nonetheless, Mick Channon's gelding is admirably consistent, handles the ground and merits plenty of respect, particularly for place calculations.

Lurking at the foot of the weights with her 5lbs fillies' allowance is Whazzis, an excellent runner-up at Newbury (7f) on a similar surface. She's from a stable who don't generally throw their hard-earned cash away, therefore if the smart money arrives on cue, there'll be plenty wanting to join in on the gamble.

Irish raider, Howya Now Kid, didn't appear to act on a rain-softened surface in similar company at Newbury last time, and could be targeted lay-minded backers for that reason alone.