Investec Oaks 2017 – Aidan O’Brien’s Rhododendron ready to deliver her trainer more Oaks success on Friday
Rhododendron was an unlucky second in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket as she met trouble at a crucial time in the race and O'Brien is hoping she goes one better at Epsom
RHODODENDRON is ready to go one better in Friday's Oaks after her unlucky second in the 1,000 Guineas behind stablemate Winter.
Aidan O'Brien, who also saddles Alluringly and Pocketfullofdreams, does not expect the step up in trip to cause any problems for the odds-on favourite.
He said: "We were very happy with Rhododendron in the Guineas. Ryan (Moore) was very happy, too.
"She was coming home really well that day. Everything has been fine with her since.
"She is a filly we always thought would stay much further than a mile. Obviously she's up to a mile and a half. She seemed to get a mile well as a two-year-old in the Fillies' Mile at Newmarket.
"Alluringly ran a great race at Chester. We were delighted with her run.
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"She was a little bit raw and a little bit green, but she finished out the race very well."
Andrew Balding won the Oaks in his first season with a licence when Casual Look claimed victory in 2003.
This year the Kingsclere handler is represented by Pretty Polly Stakes winner Horseplay.
"We live in hope of the same outcome. It was a fantastic day when Casual Look won as we had a treble that afternoon," he said.
"Horseplay is going to need to step up but her home-work has always been good and she's improved again since her win at Newmarket.
"The dam's side of her pedigree is all stamina and Cape Cross, her sire, has a good record with his Epsom Classic runners so on breeding she has plenty going for her."
Charlie Appleby will keep an eye on ground conditions before he commits Prix Saint-Alary heroine Sobetsu to a run.
Roger Charlton's impressive Newbury scorer Natavia, Ralph Beckett's Isabel De Urbina and Kenny McPeek's American challenger Daddys Lil Darling complete the line-up.
McPeek said of Olivier Peslier's mount: "We will be stepping into a different territory and are excited to find out how she handles it.
"I am extremely excited by the challenge, I don't think any American trainer has ever attempted this challenge.
"Hopefully, we can start a trend."