Investec Oaks 2011

4.05 Epsom

Investec Oaks (Group 1) (Fillies) (Class 1) (3yo)

Pick: Misty For Me (win & each/way)

Beatrice Aurore: Going the right way this season, dispelling stamina doubts created by a flop on her seasonal reappearance with impressive success in the Height Of Fashion Stakes, beating a listed placed filly and a taking maiden winner; That form must be improved on but trial has a good record (Snow Fairy won both races last year, two winners went on to be second here and another two won at Royal Ascot) so respected.

Blaise Chorus: Probably bettered her debut form when third in 10 furlong AW event at Deauville latest (winner decent for level), and step up on that when clear best of rest behind Wonder Of Wonders in Cheshire Oaks; Was well beaten that day and extra distance/stronger pace will only suit winner.

Dancing Rain: Made an impressive reappearance in Newbury maiden and while she bettered that with second in Listed race there (ravelled well) still has to improve a lot from that form; Not without possibilities under Murtagh but attitude under pressure not all it could be.

Ernin: Well beaten on both starts this season and this too tough for her.

Fork Handles: Very takingly bred filly who should improve with experience (by Doyen out of Natalie Jay) so possibly surprise to see her win 4 runner race on debut; Pretty well beaten on all forays into Group company afterwards & well behind Blaise Chorus & Wonder Of Wonders last time out, even allowing for poor trip.

Havant: Impressive maiden debut winner and bolted up in Oh So Sharp Stakes, travelling like winner from some way out and shooting clear of field; Better than sixth in the 1,000 Guineas suggests, (having been forced out wide after racing too keenly for own good) and can do well here with that run under her belt; Bred for this trip.

Izzi Top: Full of promise on only run at two and looked well on way to bigger things when taking Windsor maiden with minimum of fuss; Mooted for classic after that but unable to find an answer to Dorcas Lane in the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket and although she was a gutsy winner of another trial at Newbury, doubts about whether she will handle the course or stay the trip (runner up looks progressive too).

Misty For Me: Hugely progressive juvenile, reversing form with Laughing Lashes to grab all the way win in Moyglare before outbattling Helleborine to win Marcel Boussac; Well beaten on comeback in Guineas but clearly needed the run and back to her true form in Irish 1,000 Guineas, picking up Together as they went further and looking as if she’d improve for trip; Every chance here.

Siren’s Song: Winner of Listed event on just her second start, keeping on in game fashion to deny progressive pair (Spin well behind); That form been let down on several occasions since though, and while she can improve for step up in trip, others preferred.

Why: Took three tries to break her maiden at two and hasn’t proven up to better company since, well behind Misty For Me in Moyglare Stakes; Needs to now prove she’s trained on after two lacklustre efforts.

Wonder Of Wonders: Regally bred, being a daughter of Oaks second All Too Beautiful & also sister to Galileo, Black Sam Bellamy and half-sister to Sea The Stars; Built on deep impression created only start at 2 when cruising home in Tipperary maiden (got no run only start in-between) and a most taking winner of Cheshire Oaks when given lot of ground to make up (beat Blaise Chorus & Blidn with ease); Major contender.

Zain Al Boldan: Unbeaten in three and biggest achievement by far when absolutely blitzing opposition in Lingfield Oaks Trial latest; That form has holes in it but no denying that she was seriously impressive enough to merit a place here and mustn’t be underestimated at a big price (will definitely handle the track & stay).

VERDICT: A strong renewal & big things can be expected for the winner. Always a bonus to see the 1,000 Guineas winner turn up and Blue Bunting has outstanding credentials. It’ll take a good one to beat her but both Havant and MISTY FOR ME are far better than their Guineas run suggests and the latter can reverse form if fully lasting out 1m4f. Wonder Of Wonders & Zain Al Boldan appeal best of the trialists.