Leading Vodafone Oaks hopes stand their their ground

Twenty-one fillies, the same number as at this stage last year, have stood their ground for the £350,000 Vodafone Oaks, to be run at Epsom Downs on Friday, June 4, at today´s forfeit stage.

They are headed by the Godolphin duo of Sundrop and Punctilious, with Sundrop currently the market leader. She was staying on well when beaten only half a length by all-the-way winner Attraction in the UltimateBet.Com 1,000 Guineas on May 2, giving every impression that the extra half mile of the Epsom Downs classic will suit her well.

Punctilious, whom Sheikh Mohammed bought out of Michael Jarvis´ stable last year after she had won her first two starts, was very impressive when making all to win the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York on May 11 by six lengths from Glen Innes, and she also indicated that the longer trip of the Oaks will present no problems.

Ouija Board also had six lengths to spare when she won the Listed RL Davison Pretty Polly Stakes on May 2 at Newmarket, which saw her Epsom odds cut to about 20-1. She is now a 7-1 shot following news that Kieren Fallon, who rode Lord Derby´s filly at Newmarket, will be her partner again for the Oaks. Rave Reviews and Sahool, who were placed behind Oiuja Board at Newmarket, gave the form a handsome boost when finishing first and second at Newbury next time out.

Hathrah, who was a creditable third in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, only half a length behind Sundrop, has also stood her ground for the Vodafone-sponsored Oaks. She won very easily at Kempton first time out when this week´s Goodwood winner Halicardia was almost 10 lengths back in third.

Her trainer John Dunlop said today: 'Hathrah has done very well since her run in the Guineas and it is definitely the plan to run her in the Vodafone Oaks. My only reservation is that she would not want the ground too fast; good would be acceptable but good to soft would be even better.'

There is a strong representation from Aidan O´Brien´s Ballydoyle stable, with All Too Beautiful, Baraka, Necklace, Kisses For Me and Last Love his possible contenders.

All Too Beautiful, a full-sister to the 2001 Vodafone Derby hero Galileo, has won on her only two starts, both this year, and scored as she liked in Listed company over a mile and a quarter at Navan last month. Baraka readily upset the odds on Bowstring on May 8 in the Listed Oaks Trial at Lingfield on very soft ground after having proved disappointing in her only juvenile start, while Necklace is capable of far better form than she showed when well behind in the 1,000 Guineas. Alexander Goldrun, trained by Jim Bolger, is another possible Irish runner after winning twice so far this year while Dermot Weld has left in the maiden Lisieux Love.

There are also two possible challengers from France - though there has not been a winner from that country since 1993 - in Australie, who is trained by Richard Gibson, and Green Swallow who is with Philippe Demercastel.

Another Group One race, the Vodafone Coronation Cup, also takes place at Epsom Downs on Friday, June 4.

THE 2004 VODAFONE OAKS

Group One, Class A, Showcase Race, Total Prize Fund £350,000, 4.10pm, Epsom Downs, Friday, June 4, 2004, one mile and four furlongs and about ten yards, for three-year-old fillies only. Weights: 9st. Entries closed Wednesday, March 3, 2004 (89 entries). Forfeit stage Thursday, May 20, 2004 (21 remain), £20,000 supplementary entry stage Saturday, May 29, 2004. Five-day confirmation stage Saturday, May 29, 2004. 48-hour declaration stage 10.00am Wednesday, June 2, 2004. (Form figures correct up to Wednesday, May 19, 2004 and may not include some overseas form).