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Epsom Preview: The Oaks contenders rated by Graham Cunningham

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Questions surround Lush Lashes running but if making an appearance she's the likely winner, says Graham Cunningham in his rundown of the horse at the head of the ante-post Oaks betting

LUSH LASHES
Jim Bolger hasn't won too many friends with his PR over New Approach and this filly of late and there will be no shortage of people hoping Lush Lashes gets beaten as a result. And that's a shame, because Lush Lashes has the best form coming into the race and a pedigree which suggests she ought to stay a mile-and-a-half adequately. Bolger has yet to commit her to Epsom, but it's hard to think of one good reason why he should swerve the race and her Musidora romp at York should ensure she starts a strong favourite.

Current Betfair price: [4.2]
Estimated starting price: [4.0]


KATIYRA
If you had to place a Classic bet based solely on a trainer then John Oxx would be close to the top of the list. And if you had to have that same wager based solely on pedigree then you could do a lot worse than a filly by an Arc winner out of a smart Aga Khan staying filly. Katiyra was beaten in a Group 3 on her reappearance but looks sure to blossom over a mile-and-a-half and looks a major player.

Current Betfair price: [6.6]
Estimated starting price: [7.0]


CHINESE WHITE
Hokey Cokey horse of this year's Oaks in that she was in, then out, and is now back in again after a change of heart by Dermot Weld. And this Dalakhani filly thoroughly deserves her chance. Granted, she's untested outside Listed company, but she bolted up at Gowran Park and shapes as if there should be a lot more to come stepped up to a mile-and-a-half. In short, another hugely promising filly who is open to bags of improvement.

Current Betfair price: [5.8]
Estimated starting price: [6.5]


SAIL
Johnny Murtagh summed this Sadler's Wells filly up after her Cheshire Oaks success by saying she was "the leader in the clubhouse" as regards Epsom. And perhaps she was, but the level par round she recorded at Chester has been overtaken by a couple of three under par cards from fellow Irish raiders since and she needs to progress again to play more than a supporting role next Friday.

Current Betfair price: [16.5]
Estimated starting price: [13.0]


CAPE AMBER
The long and the short of the Cape Amber case is that she has five lengths to make up on Lush Lashes compared to the Musidora. That was her first run of the season and only her second in all - so there is cause for optimism - but I don't see her progressing enough to play more than a minor role.

Current Betfair price: [15.5]
Estimated starting price: [18.0]


CLOWANCE
Unbeaten in a maiden and a Listed race at Newbury this season and shapes as if she will stay a mile-and-a-half with very little difficulty. The question is, will Roger Charlton's filly stay it well enough to match Lush Lashes and company? On balance, the odds look against it.

Current Betfair price: [12.0]
Estimated starting price: [16.0]


MICHITA
A latecomer to the Oaks party but an interesting one judged on her runaway success in a Listed race at Goodwood. She showed a powerful round action there, leaving the strong impression that she will relish a fair amount of give in the ground. Progressing fast and needs to maintain that progress to beat the Irish posse.

Current Betfair price: [13.0]
Estimated starting price: [16.0]


MOONSTONE
Went for the Musidora with a big reputation to live up to but will travel to Epsom as a twice-raced maiden after finishing only fourth behind Lush lashes and Cape Amber. However, there were excuses, as Moonstone was rushed up to join the leaders a long way out and suffered a rough passage as she made her move. The fact that she was getting her second wind close home is encouraging and, with the longer trip sure to suit, her cause is far from lost.

Current Betfair price: [21.0]
Estimated starting price: [14.0]