3 minute read
Joseph O'Brien takes the ride on Maybe in the Investec Oaks on Friday for the first leg of what could be a famous Classic double for the young rider at Epsom.
Photo by Racing and Sports
The 19-year-old son of Ballydoyle trainer Aidan has enjoyed plenty of success at that level in his native Ireland in the last 12 months, and has a golden opportunity of furthering his account in Britain after Camelot in the 2000 Guineas.
He was aboard Maybe when she lost her unbeaten record behind stablemate Homecoming Queen in the 1000 Guineas. Ryan Moore, who was on the winner that day, has been booked for Kissed, although she will only run if connections are happy with ground conditions.
Pat Smullen teams up with Twirl, while Colm O'Donoghue and Seamie Heffernan are on Betterbetterbetter and Was respectively. Richard Hughes has been handed the mount on Devotion.
Hughes said: "I've had rides for Aidan before and this is grand. I'm looking forward to it."
John Gosden is looking to The Fugue to give him a first win in the race, having finished one place behind Maybe when fourth at Newmarket and has since boosted her prospects with an impressive victory in the Musidora Stakes at York.
Lingfield Oaks Trial heroine Vow will attempt to give Newmarket handler William Haggas back-to-back Oaks triumphs after Dancing Rain 12 months ago, while Godolphin's Kailani, trained by Mahmood Al Zarooni, is another filly defending a 100% record and will be ridden by Mickael Barzalona.
Ralph Beckett, successful with Look Here in 2008, relies on Lingfield Oaks Trial runner-up Colima.
Completing the line-up are Hughie Morrison's pair of Coquet and Shirocco Star, the Mick Channon-trained Nayarra, and Toptempo from Mark Tompkins' stable.
