The Road to The Cazoo Oaks

WITH THE MOONLIGHT The Betfair Pretty Polly Stakes Newmarket Sunday 1st May

With Godolphin landing the 2000 Guineas in both Britain and Ireland, it would be tough to not give Charlie Appleby’s charge a mention. A dual-winner as a two-year-old, progressing with each start, this smartly-bred daughter of Frankel could prove to be stronger than the market suggests. There was plenty of buzz around the John Gosdentrained Crenelle in the Betfair Pretty Polly Stakes but she easily dispatched the strong favourite and oozed class to score impressively by four and three quarter lengths lengths when stepping up to 1m2f for the first time. Unexposed over this trip but could be worth a go.

EMILY UPJOHN Tattersalls Musidora Stakes York Wednesday 11th May

A sole winner on her only start as a juvenile, Emily Upjohn prevailed on debut at Wolverhampton. She then headed to Sandown Park under a penalty, where she blew her opponents away by nine and a half lengths lengths under the Frankie Dettori drive. The daughter of the almighty Sea The Stars was very strong in the market again in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes where she where she justified her short price with another very impressive performance, kicking clear with ease to win by a wide margin. Although this looks to be her toughest task to date, she looks the class act of the field and is the one to beat.

THOUGHTS OF JUNE The Weatherbys Bloodstock Pro Cheshire Oaks Chester Wednesday 4th May

Beaten in all three starts prior to her win in the Cheshire Oaks, Thoughts Of June won at the fourth time of asking. A solid debut in what looked a hot maiden at Cork, she took a step back on her next outing at Leopardstown. However, Aidan O’Brien continued his dominance in the Cheshire Oaks as he held the 1-2 with Thoughts Of June and Above The Curve, with the form being reversed when the pair met at Leopardstown in April. The daughter of Galileo made virtually all that day when stepping up in trip and, this form has been boosted further with the runner-up landing the Group 1 Coolmore Prix Saint-Alary overseas.

CONCERT HALL The Tattersalls Irish 1000 Guineas Curragh Sunday 22nd May

The most experienced runner in the race is Concert Hall but by no means does this affect her ability to win. She contested a few of the top prizes as a juvenile, landing the Weld Park Stakes at the Curragh, while also running with credit in the Moyglare Stud Stakes and Fillies Mile. She justified favouritism after a near 200 day break in the Salsabil Stakes at Navan by a short head, before running a blinder to finish third in the 1000 Guineas. Given Aidan O’Brien’s incredible record in this race, it is hard to rule out this smart filly stepping up in trip.