Flattering© Photo Healy Racing
Runaway Cork scorer Flattering takes a swift step up in class in the Betfred Mobile Oaks Trial at Lingfield on Saturday.
The daughter of Galileo finished down the field on her only juvenile appearance at the Curragh last July, but proved an entirely different proposition on her seasonal reappearance, putting her rivals to the sword by upwards of 10 lengths.
She tests the water at Listed level just seven days later as trainer Aidan O’Brien bids to claim this prize for a third time.
“Flattering came out of Cork well. She got home very well,” the Ballydoyle maestro told At The Races.
“It was only over a mile and a quarter, but she looked like she will stay much further.
“Michael (Hussey) rode her and was delighted with her.”
Ryan Moore takes over in the saddle and she faces eight opponents over an extended mile and three furlongs.
John Gosden is represented by the stoutly-bred Stream Song, who made a winning start to the campaign in a Windsor handicap last month.
James Wigan, racing manager for owner George Strawbridge, said: “She’s done nothing wrong so far and she’s a half-sister to Journey, so she’s got a lovely pedigree.
“She was a little bit green last time and hopefully she’s learnt from that.”
Ralph Beckett has won the Lingfield Oaks Trial on three occasions, most notably with Secret Gesture (2013), who subsequently found only stablemate Talent too strong in the Investec Oaks at Epsom.
The Beckett-trained Look Here was beaten into second at Lingfield before claiming Oaks glory a decade ago and this year the Andover-based handler is represented by once-raced Kempton winner Cecchini.
He said: “We’re very happy with her and she’s in good shape.
“It’s her first start on grass. She has a low action and I’d like to think she’ll handle fast ground, but time will tell.
“Aidan O’Brien’s filly was very impressive at Cork and she’ll probably be tough to beat, but we’ll give it a go.
“Whatever happens we’ll learn a lot.”
David Simcock’s pair of Lady Of Shalott and Ejtyah and Perfect Clarity from Clive Cox’s yard all protect unbeaten records.
James Tate’s Litigation, the Michael Bell-trained Queen Of Connaught and Archie Watson’s rank outsider Casima complete the field.
