Cecil Happy With Oaks Duo

Henry Cecil reported Light Shift and Passage Of Time to be in rude health ahead of the Vodafone Oaks on Friday week.

The former won the Cheshire Oaks in fine style on her latest start but is Cecil´s secondary hope behind Musidora Stakes winner Passage Of Time, who is now as short as 7-4 favourite with totesport.

Passage Of Time has won four of her five starts to date, including last season´s Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud, and appears to hold every chance of presenting the Warren Place handler with an eighth Oaks victory.

Cecil is happy with both contenders and is keeping his fingers crossed for a trouble-free preparation.

He said: 'The two Oaks fillies seem fine at the moment and are gradually working up to June 1.

'They have both come out of their respective races well and I hope will have a clear run up to Epsom,' he told www.henrycecil.com.

Ladbrokes also report each-way support for the Michael Jarvis-trained Silkwood, although she is not a certain runner.

The Sheikh Mohammed-owned filly has won two of her three starts to date, beating subsequent winner Bergonzi on her most recent outing at Sandown.

Silkwood is entered in a handicap at Newmarket on Sunday but that option has already been ruled out, leaving connections to ponder a Classic bid.

'She doesn´t run this weekend and there has been no decision on the Oaks at the moment,' said Jarvis.

'She´s worked (on Wednesday) morning, she seems fine and I need to speak to the powers that be.

'There will be a decision made some time next week.'

(C) PA Sport