Lashes stars at York but is Epsom doubt

May 15 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

WHILE Jim Bolger again doesn’t seem keen on committing yesterday’s impressive Tattersalls Musidora Stakes winner Lush Lashes to an Epsom Classic, Henry Cecil is hoping the ground is fine to allow Twice Over bids to enhance his Vodafone Derby credentials in today’s totesport.com Dante Stakes.

Lush Lashes scored a five-length victory in yesterday’s Group Two feature and is Stan James and BetDirect’s new 11-4 favourite for the Juddmonte Oaks on June 6. But County Carlow handler Bolger, as he has with New Approach’s bid to win a Derby, seems to favouring an Irish Classic – the Darley Irish Oaks – rather than the Epsom equivalent.

Bolger is looking take a similar route to New Approach with his Galileo filly.

Having spoken to Bolger at his Coolcullen base, the trainer’s travelling head lad Ger Flynn said: “The boss has just been on the phone and he says we’re not going to rule anything out.

“At the moment the Oaks at Epsom and the Curragh are on the cards, but it will more likely be the Curragh. We won’t rule the English Oaks out, we’ll see how she is when we get her home.

“There is a good break between now and the Irish Oaks, but Epsom is only three weeks away.”

Meanwhile, connections of Vodafone Derby favourite Twice Over will make a late decision regarding his participation in today’s Dante Stakes at York.

YORK PREDICTIONS (Day Two): 1.40pm Green Park 2.10pm Flying Clarets 2.40pm Frozen Fire 3.10pm New Seeker 3.45pm Benandonner 4.20pm Reve de Soleil 4.55pm Mighty Moon (NAP).