TimeformBlog

Betterbetterbetter stepped up on debut when winning 11f maiden at Dundalk in March with plenty in hand. Further progress when just touched off in Cheshire Oaks last time, but this demands plenty more.

Colima made impressive debut at Nottingham (1m) in November and improved for step up in trip when chasing home Vow at Lingfield (1½m, AW) on return. Will do well to reverse that form, though.

Coquet quickly progressed to a useful level last term, taking 1m listed race at Newmarket on final run. Defied penalty at Goodwood (1¼m) on recent return and likely to stay 1½m. Not discounted.

Devotion went right way with each run at 2 yrs and showed benefit of reappearance run to record career best when second in Leopardstown Group 3 (1m) last time. Bred for this sort of test, but needs to improve.

Kailani is the daughter of 1000 Guineas/Oaks winner Kazzia. Made winning start at Yarmouth (1m) in October and dotted up in Newmarket listed race (1¼m) on return. Supplemented for this, and worth considering.

Kissed is bred to excel around Epsom and form to date has been highly promising, with easy wins in Navan maiden/listed race. Inexperienced and connections have expressed ground concerns, but respected.

Maybe made big strides last summer, unbeaten in five starts and signing off with ready success in Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh. Third in 1000 Guineas on return, but not sure to stay 1½m.

Nayarra got off the mark in style when taking Italian Group 1 on final run at 2 yrs, but even her best effort in 3 runs this year (runner-up in Nell Gwyn) leaves her with plenty to find, and stamina to prove.

Shirocco Star won 1m Newbury maiden on second start last year and better form when just touched off over 1¼m back there in listed race recently. Frame claims if building on that, but others preferred.

The Fugue created big impression when winning Newmarket maiden at 2 yrs and built on that with good fourth in 1000 Guineas on return. Ready winner of Musidora (1¼m) last time, and big player here.

Toptempo is better than most thrice-raced maidens, showing a near-useful level of form last autumn and shaping quite well at Newmarket on her return. Lot more on her plate here, though.

Twirl got off the mark at second time of asking at Leopardstown last autumn but has progressed only steadily from that this year, going down to The Fugue at York last time. Work to do to reverse that form.

Vow boasts a fine middle-distance pedigree and has quickly set about living up to it, winning on debut at Newbury (1¼m) and scoring readily at Lingfield (1½m, AW). Leading player.

Was was a very expensive as a yearling (sold for 1,200,000 gns) and made promising start to career, winning maiden in August and third in 1¼m Naas Group 3 on return. Should be more to come.

Timeform 1-2-3:
1. The Fugue
2. Vow
3. Kissed

Timeform View: The Fugue's career to date has been pretty much textbook so far as preparing for the Oaks goes, with a good Guineas showing followed by an impressive victory in a leading trial, and she looks the likeliest winner. Vow and Kissed are also respected, while the up-and-coming Coquet shouldn't be dismissed.

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