Guide to those who remain in the Investec Oaks

Minding, one of three possible runners for Aidan O’Brien, is generally evens to win a second Classic at Epsom on Friday. Picture courtesy of Racingfotos.com

Who is going to win the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday? A maximum of 9 runners will go to post for the fifth race of the QIPCO British Champions Series and we’ve put them under the spotlight.

MINDING

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

General odds: Evens

Thrived in the second half of last season when landing the Moyglare Stakes at the Curragh and the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket. Made it a hat-trick of Group 1 victories when not extended to land the QIPCO 1000 Guineas back at Headquarters on return. Touched off by Jet Setting in the Irish equivalent latest (pair ten lengths clear) when suffering minor head injury leaving the stalls. Clearly a top-notch performer and if the daughter of Galileo stays the extra half-mile she will be very hard to beat.

SKIFFLE

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Odds: 7-1

Shaped well on her Ascot debut and then wore down The Black Princess (pair seven lengths clear) late on in the Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes over 1m2f at Goodwood. More on her plate here but extra couple of furlongs seems certain to suit and, having been supplemented at a cost £30,000, will attempt to emulate Snow Fairy, who took that contest in 2010 on her way to Oaks glory.

TURRET ROCKS

Trainer: Jim Bolger

Odds: 7-1

Smart two-year-old who was sixth to Minding in the 1000 Guineas on her return. Trainer believes she was short of peak fitness that day and, in any case, she has been crying out for this stiffer test. Progressive last term, stamina looking her forte when landing the May Hill Stakes at Doncaster in September. Upped her game further when chasing home Ballydoyle at Longchamp next time.

SOMEHOW

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Odds: 12-1

Won a maiden at Leopardstown on her return and then followed up in the Cheshire Oaks despite not looking uncomfortable on the track. Should have learnt plenty that day and did show good attitude to get the job done.

ARCHITECTURE

Trainer: Hugo Palmer

Odds: 14-1

Landed a maiden at Nottingham (1m) in tidy style in October and also shaped well on return when a neck second to Seventh Heaven in a steadily-run Lingfield Oaks Trial over an extended 1m3f (Look Here was second in the 2008 running before going one better at Epsom). Entitled to improve again, although form falls short and still has stamina question to answer.

SEVENTH HEAVEN

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Odds: 20-1

Seems to be improving with racing and offered bit more again when wearing down Architecture close home in the Lingfield Oaks Trial latest. Requires lot more and debatable whether this track will play to her strengths.

HARLEQUEEN

Trainer: Mick Channon

Odds: 25-1

Taking winner on her Goodwood (1m) debut last year and two creditable efforts this term, sticking to her task when fourth to So Mi Dar in the Musidora latest. Shaped as if she would stay a bit further that day and could have more to offer.

DIAMONDS POR MOI

Trainer: Ralph Beckett

Odds: 40-1

Trainer has saddled the Oaks winner twice since 2008 (via Look Here and Talent) and this daughter of Pour Moi (the 2011 Derby winner) got her career off to the perfect start when winning a maiden at Kempton (1m) in November. Took a big step forward when finishing a length third to Somehow in the Cheshire Oaks on her return and sure to keep on improving.

AUSTRALIAN QUEEN

Trainer: David Elsworth

Odds: 50-1

Well held in the Pretty Polly Stakes and Musidora this year. Needs to show level of form she has not previously shown.