Cecil Considers Options For Oaks Heroine

Henry Cecil is keeping options open for Vodafone Oaks heroine Light Shift, who is reported to be in fine fettle after her Epsom triumph.

The master of Warren Place has not entirely closed the door on the prospect of her contesting the Irish Oaks at the Curragh on July 15 but it would appear that other objectives are more likely.

He said: 'Light Shift seems to have taken her race really well but it is unlikely that we will supplement her for the Irish Oaks as it is a little bit close.

'She is not a very robust filly but we will leave the option open for the time being.

'Maybe we will give her a chance and a bit of time and think more about the Nassau (August 4) and the Yorkshire Oaks (August 22).'

In beating Peeping Fawn by half a length, Light Shift provided Cecil with his 24th domestic Classic win but his first since Love Divine landed the Oaks in 2000.

The intervening period has been comparatively lean by Cecil´s exceptionally high standards, so he was thrilled with this comeback victory ? and equally pleased by the very warm reception he received at Epsom after the Group One win.

He said: 'It was a very satisfying day and it was nice to be back in the winner´s enclosure in a Classic after a few years away. I was overwhelmed by the reception of racegoers, the racing press and our friends.'

Cecil also revealed that Passage Of Time, eighth in the Oaks behind her stablemate having been sent off favourite, is to have her throat abscess looked at this week.

The trainer said: 'Passage Of Time seems fine after her race. She seemed to be going really well and then came up against a brick wall about the nine-furlong mark.

'She didn´t make a noise and I am not sure it was the result of the abscess. But she is going to be examined this week and a decision whether to take out the abscess will be made.'

(C) PA Sport