Horseplay on target for the Investec Oaks on June 2.

She worked at Epsom on Tuesday with big-race jockey Oisin Murphy in the saddle, alongside stable companion Elbereth (Leanne Masterton), a smart six-year-old mare who has been Group 1 placed and holds an entry in the Investec Coronation Cup.

They worked together over a mile and were neck and neck in the straight before Horseplay edged ahead near the line. 

Balding, who won the Investec Oaks in 2003 with Casual Look with his only runner in the Classic, said about Listed Pretty Polly Stakes (10f) winner:  "It feels like about 50 years rather than 14 years since Casual Look won the Oaks! 

"That was my first season (as a trainer) and I was lucky to have Casual Look who ran very well when a staying-on fifth in the 1000 Guineas. Then we came to Epsom Downs for a gallop and everything went well on the day - very happy memories.

"We have our best team this year - lots of nice three-year-olds and some decent older horses as well. 

"I was very happy with Horseplay this morning. Elbereth, who led her, is no slouch and she has an entry in the Investec Coronation Cup and will be entered in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes (G3, 1m 113y, Saturday, June 3). Elbereth is in the form of her life and was second in the Dahlia Stakes (G2, 1m 1f, Newmarket) on Guineas' day.

"Horseplay has only had three runs in her whole life and she was just looking around a little bit this morning but she then picked up really well. I am delighted with her and getting over a trip will suit.

"The work went according to plan and Oisin said they did a really good time for the last two furlongs. We did not want to overdo it this morning because we are not far from the race but Horseplay worked very well."

Murphy added: "Horseplay blew me away when she won a maiden at Nottingham on very soft ground last year and the form of that race has been franked.

"We galloped her a month ago on grass and she worked really well. She won at Newmarket nicely, not by a decisive margin, on good to firm ground over a mile and a quarter.

"We feel that stepping up in distance will bring more improvement and we know she is not ground dependent. 

"I felt she handled the track here today as well as any horse I've ridden so that is very positive. I was well on top of Elbereth at the line without pressing any buttons so I was really impressed. I could not be any happier with the filly and am looking forward to the race."

American trainer Kenny McPeek is running Daddys Lil Darling in the Investec Oaks as well and was on hand at Epsom Downs to talk about the transatlantic challenge.

He said: "She is a really strong-galloping filly. I have my own gallops on my farm and we spent a lot of time early in her career on grass gallops. 

"She handles it really well and actually relaxes better on grass. I also think she will handle a mile and a half.

"Timing-wise, we really want to win a Group 1 with her and the woman who owns her is a breeder and as such you want that.

"There is no Group 1 opportunity in America now until the Alabama (run in mid-August at Saratoga) so we thought let's go to the Oaks.

"You all come and take our money all the time and we should really travel in this direction more. The history of Epsom Downs is really what attracts me - Nick Cheyne, Stephen Wallis and I walked this course back in 2003 and I ruined a perfectly good pair of shoes that day because it had been raining.

"Then we went over and walked Ascot - that was during a six-hour lay-over at Heathrow so I have always dreamt of coming back. The better horses I get, the more you will see me.

"Daddys Lil Darling has been very unlucky with the draw. She drew the 14 in the Breeders' Cup and she gets annihilated in the turn yet she keeps coming. She does not quit.

"She got delayed on her flight - she was supposed to leave yesterday and be here this morning - she is now scheduled to leave Alabama today on a direct flight to Stansted. She will handle that well.

"She is going into Jim Boyle's yard here at Epsom which we are excited about and appreciate him hosting us. I really wanted her to be close to the racecourse because she needs schooling in the paddock and to see the scenery. I did not want to be training on Warren Hill at Newmarket.

"She will get a chance of settling in and doing her thing - hopefully she shows well. Olivier Peslier is going to ride her. Julien Leparoux rode her last time.  I was kind of conflicted about who to use here. I did not want to bring an American rider because of the difference of the course. I really felt that the jockey needed to know the course more than the horse.

"Olivier is going to come and get on her beforehand - it looks like Friday or Saturday. We will give her a little gallop then. 

"She is a half-sister to Mongolian Saturday, who won the Breeders' Cup Sprint Turf, but is a longer, lankier type filly."