Lah Ti Dar tops 21 entries for Investec Oaks
Lah Ti Dar tops 21 fillies who remain in the Investec Oaks following the latest declaration stage.
Unraced at two, she's won her two starts this season including the Listed Tweenhills Pretty Polly Stakes over 10 furlongs at Newmarket earlier this month.
Trainer John Gosden said: "Lah Ti Dar is in great form and she has done everything right. We are going to pop down to Breakfast with the Stars at Epsom Downs on Tuesday with her, all being well, and have a little breeze around the track with Frankie Dettori on and see where we go from there."
The Investec Oaks has been won by Godolphin three times, most recently with Kazzia (2002) and going forward for the Maktoum family's operation is Wild Illusion, winner of last season's Prix Marcel Boussac and fourth in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas on her reappearance.
Trainer Charlie Appleby said: "Wild Illusion has come out of the Guineas well and she has definitely come forward for that run. We have always said that we cannot wait to step her up in trip and we feel that is going to be her forte. Her dam is a staying mare and Wild Illusion has shown from last year all the indications that going up in trip is going to suit her.
"She has taken the Guineas well and we are looking forward to running in the Investec Oaks. She is a very straightforward filly - ever since day one. She has raced close to the pace in the past because we always felt she just wants a trip. Going the mile and a half, she is versatile and is not keen. I am sure William (Buick) will work out the pace on the day and decide where he needs to be in the race.
"She has raced twice at Chantilly, right-handed, and is yet to encounter a left-handed course, but I felt she handled the undulations very well at Newmarket - a far cry from Epsom of course, but even so we have seen plenty of horses caught out in the dip. She has passed that test well and I have not been drawn into thinking that I need to go to Epsom to have a spin around to get experience."
Aidan O'Brien has won the Investec Oaks on six occasions, most recently with Qualify in 2015.
The Ballydoyle maestro accounts for 11 of the 21 remaining entries, headed by QIPCO 1000 Guineas third Happily. Other leading contenders for the his team include Listed Cheshire Oaks first and second Magic Wand and Forever Together plus impressive Blue Wind Stakes scorer Bye Bye Baby.
The regally-bred Park Bloom, from the family of Was (2012 Investec Oaks winner) and New Approach (2008 Investec Derby winner), is unraced, while Dermot Weld has left in Hazel Bay who was second on her debut in the Listed Salsabil Stakes at Navan on April 22.
Newmarket handler William Haggas landed the Investec Oaks in 2011 with Dancing Rain and has two contenders in 2018. The pair are Musidora heroine Give And Take (16/1) and the once-raced maiden Sea Of Class, who runs at Newbury on Saturday.
Perfect Clarity (Clive Cox) advertised her Epsom Downs credentials when taking the Lingfield Oaks Trial in authoritative fashion and is set to head to Epsom Downs unbeaten, having won her only start at Nottingham last year. Like the 2017 Investec Oaks hero Enable, Perfect Clarity is a three-year-old daughter of Nathaniel.
It is the 40th anniversary of the first of Sir Michael Stoute's two Investec Oaks victories and the Newmarket handler could have unearthed a very useful filly in Sun Maiden. The Frankel half-sister to six-time Group One winner Midday created a very favourable impression when capturing a 10-furlong novice race by 12 lengths at Salisbury yesterday.
Fellow Newmarket handler David Simcock saddled his first Classic winner when Teppal was successful in the French 1,000 Guineas on May 13. He has two Investec Oaks contenders going forward in Mrs Sippy, not seen out since winning at Doncaster in October, and Ejtyah, third behind Give And Take in the Musidora.
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