IF THE Investec Oaks was based on past experience of the race Midday would provide Henry Cecil with a record ninth success at Epsom this afternoon.
Her two main market rivals – Sariska and Rainbow View – on the other hand are trained by Michael Bell and John Gosden respectively, who will both bid for a first success in the Fillies Classic.
But it is hard to separate the big three and all look to hold big chances of success, while the powerful Aidan O’Brien stable saddles Cheshire Oaks winner Perfect Truth.
Rainbow View was last season’s leading juvenile, unbeaten and impressive in three starts. But she disappointed when sent off a warm favourite for the stanjames.com 1,000 Guineas on her seasonal reappearance at Newmarket last month.
While the firm ground was a factor, finishing fifth now looks a fine effort by the Dyanformer filly for today’s race. She is arguably the classiest filly in today’s Group One feature and should improve markedly for the step up from a mile to 1m4f.
Gosden has been pleased with her since Newmarket and Rainbow View, at around 3-1, she must go close.
Bell’s Musidora Stakes winner Sariska is currently the market leaders and following her York success, her Newmarket trainer thinks she ‘ticks every box’.
Bell, who won the Derby with Motivator four years ago, said: "She has a fantastic pedigree and is bred to stay a mile and a half – her dam won over a mile and six. She goes left-handed and she ticks every box. What we don’t know is whether she will come downhill but provided the ground is safe she should travel very strongly in the race.
"She has a very high cruising speed and although I cannot guarantee it, I’d be pretty confident she will handle the track. It’s just a question of whether she’s good enough."
Cecil, whose last victory in Oaks came two years ago with Light Shift, is confident Midday is in the ideal shape for this afternoon’s Classic.
The Oasis Dream filly was second to Derby-bound colt Debussy at Epsom in April, so clearly handles the unique ups and downs of the track.
But it was her impressive victory in the Lingfield Oaks Trial last month that gave notice of her Classic potential.
The Warren Place trainer knows Midday must improve to give him a ninth success in the race, but he is confident she can.
Cecil said: "At this stage I am very happy with Midday and she seems on song for Epsom. It is a difficult race to assess but I feel she has improved and must have a chance. On the Timeform figures she is rated 108 and Sariska is 116 so she is going to have to improve to prove them wrong."
