15:40 Epsom Downs

Saturday 4 July 2020

All13:5014:2515:0015:4016:1516:5517:35

Investec Oaks (Fillies' Group 1)

Off time: 15:43 | Winning time: 2m 34.06s

(2)

Bharani Star¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Oisin Murphy| T: P W Chapple-Hyam| OR: 99| D

50/1

Dead-heat win at Haydock in handicap company on return and took her form to a new level when she out-performed her odds (100/1) when 5L behind Frankly Darling at Royal Ascot; hard to see her reversing that form though.

Form: 54-14

(4)

Ennistymon¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien

6/1

Stayed on well for second behind Frankly Darling at Royal Ascot and conceded first run to that rival; both likely to take a step forward here and she's not ruled out, despite Moore siding with Love.

Form: 7-12

(3)

Frankly Darling¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 110| D

7/4

Bolted up in a Newcastle maiden on return and impressive when winning the Ribblesdale with several of these in behind; had the run of the race to some extent but showed a useful turn of foot and should progress, particularly if she settles better.

Form: 2-11

(8)

Gold Wand²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: R Varian| OR: 89

22/1

Narrowly denied on debut in October but gained compensation in a Newbury maiden last month, travelling smoothly into the race before asserting well; form of that race isn't anything special but she may improve up in trip here.

Form: 2-1

(5)

Love²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 116

11/10

Group 1 winner at the Curragh as a 2yo and returned with a 1,000 Guineas success, dominating her rivals in the closing stages and winning by 4½L; perhaps not the strongest renewal but every chance she will stay this trip and holds leading claims.

Form: 11513-1

(1)

Passion^p¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: P B Beggy| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 100

25/1

Stayed on well for third behind Frankly Darling and Ennistymon in the Ribblesdale; had a better trip than her stablemate though so chances of her reversing form with either look slim; looks a dour stayer at least.

Form: 517-43

(6)

Queen Daenerys²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: W Buick| T: R Varian| OR: 103

16/1

Just a novice win to her name and the form of her Listed second at Newmarket on return doesn't look particularly strong; stamina to prove at this new trip and second string on jockey bookings.

Form: 216-2

(7)

Tiempo Vuela²⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: M Harley| T: J & T Gosden| BF

100/1

Ran on well to win a novice at Newcastle in October but showed very little in Listed company behind Queen Daenerys on return (very keen); has a huge amount to find at this level but will appreciate this longer trip and cut in the ground at least.

Form: 1-7

Forecasts

Love (11/10), Frankly Darling (7/4), Ennistymon (6/1), Queen Daenerys (16/1), Gold Wand (22/1), Passion (25/1), Bharani Star (50/1), Tiempo Vuela (100/1)

Aidan O'Brien and John Gosden have won the last six renewals of this race between them and it's hard to envisage this year's renewal going elsewhere. The two key pieces of form here are the 1,000 Guineas and the Ribblesdale and it's 1,000 winner LOVE who gets the vote with this step up in trip likely to see her improve. Ennistymon might be able to reverse form with Frankly Darling given that O'Brien's filly conceded first run.