O'Brien has four of six runners remaining in the Yorkshire Oaks York's Ebor Festival looms large next week and the six-day confirmations have dropped in for Thursday's Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks on the Knavesmire. A sextet of runners remain in the mix for the Group 1 contest over a mile-and-a-half, with £340,000 on offer to the winner. Aidan O'Brien has dominated in recent times, winning four of the last six renewals and we're taking a look at remaining contenders, of which four are trained by the Master of Ballydoyle. Minnie Hauk Unbeaten this season and has won the Epsom and Irish Oaks since landing the Cheshire version in May. She had to battle to fend off stablemate Whirl at Epsom in early June but won in good style at the Curragh. She looks set to try and match Enable (2017) by completing this quartet of Oaks successes. Estrange Estrange is one of just two British-trained contenders. Trained by David O'Meara for owner-breeders Cheveley Park Stud, she progressed through the levels to take the Listed Gillies Fillies' Stakes at Doncaster last year before returning to action this term to win both the Lester Piggott Stakes and the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock. Connections say the Night Of Thunder filly will only take her chance if there is some rainfall before Thursday. Whirl Whirl would have a massive chance if lining up, as this very gifted filly has won two Group 1s in good style this year after being denied a neck behind Minnie Hauk in the Epsom Oaks. She had readily won the Pretty Polly at the Curragh and the Nassau at Goodwood over 1m2f since but, given she ran on heavy ground at Goodwood three weeks ago she is probably an unlikely runner with that in mind. She won the Musidora Stakes over 1m2f here in May and York certainly would appeal if connections opt for a quick turnaround. Garden Of Eden A Saxon Warrior filly from the Ballydoyle conveyor belt, she won a Listed contest at Naas in May and followed up in the Ribblesdale (1m4f, good to firm) at Royal Ascot in decisive fashion. She has added the Group 1 German Oaks this month and is another facing a sharp turnaround if she's to line up at York. Qilin Queen The second possible contender for the home team, Ed Walker's Pinatubo filly didn't appear to relish Epsom when beating only one home in the Oaks after her Listed win at Newbury (1m2f, good to firm) in May. She was game from the front in winning the Group 2 Prix De Malleret at Longchamp since but will need more to deny the Irish raiders, it seems. Bedtime Story Like stablemate Minnie Hauk, a daughter of Frankel. She won her first four at two, including the Chesham at Royal Ascot in wide-margin style, but is 0-5 since. She finished second in the Prix de Diane at Chantilly last month, a pleasing effort, but has since been well beaten in the heavy-ground Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood where she sported a first-time hood.
