Oaks 2018 runner-by-runner guide: Baby can say Bye Bye to Epsom rivals

Tom Peacock sifts through the runners and riders for Friday's Investec Oaks at Epsom and delivers his verdict on the Fillies' Classic. Watch key formlines and video analysis from Racing UK pundits.

Bye Bye Baby:

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Jockey: Wayne Lordan

Odds: 6-1

Has become something of a ‘wiseguy’ pick over the last few days with her odds shortening steadily and easy to see why as she is battle-hardened, has winning form on the probable soft ground, and showed a willing attitude in winning the Blue Wind Oaks trial at the Curragh.

By Galileo out of Oaks runner-up Remember When, Bye Bye Baby is tailor-made for this kind of trip and seems to be coming good at the right time.

Ejtyah:

Trainer: David Simcock

Odds: 20-1

Did not appear on the racecourse at all until the middle of December, winning snugly at Chelmsford, before being pitched in at the deep end in the Musidora Stakes.

Ran eye-catchingly well as the least experienced in the line-up to finish third as Give And Take and Dancing Brave Bear battled it out away from her on the stands’ side and interesting that her astute trainer lets her take her chance here.

By Frankel out of Darysina, an Aga Khan mare, she should be fine in the conditions and is the most appealing of the outsiders.

Flattering:

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Jockey: Padraig Beggy

Odds: 33-1

Wide-margin winner when not seemingly fancied in what was not a strong Cork maiden.

Might have bounced when only third in the Lingfield Oaks Trial a week later, and also used up energy catching an enterprisingly-ridden leader, so could be better than that showing, but as a half-sister to smart sprinter Lucky Kristale, she does not look the most obvious type to show more improvement going over further.

Will be ridden by Padaraig Beggy, pictured, who won last year's Derby on his first ride aboard Wings Of Eagles.

Forever Together:

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Jockey: Donnacha O'Brien

Odds: 5-1

The confusingly-named Together Forever, who is a full sister to Forever Together, was a Fillies’ Mile winner who seemed to fail to last the trip in an Oaks, whereas this sibling seems less precocious and perhaps a better stayer as advertised by her staying on for second behind stablemate Magic Wand at Chester after a luckless passage.

Clearly has a bright future after what was her first run of the season and whilst it should be hard to make a firm case for a maiden in an Oaks, it is well within her capabilities to step forward again.

Trainer: William Haggas

Jockey: James Doyle

Odds: 10-1

Has done very little wrong in five starts and this daughter of impressive young stallion Cityscape has given a real thrill to her owner-breeder Nicholas Jones, particularly with her game success in the Musidora.

Although that race is often the best Oaks trial, the question lingers as to whether the 2018 renewal amounted to much.

Should like conditions and will run her race, but was beaten hands-down by Wild Illusion as a two-year-old when already more experienced than her rival.

I Can Fly:

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Jockey: Seamie Heffernan

Odds: 10-1

There seemed to be a bit of a word for this filly in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, where she was sent off at 7-1 as the apparent stable second-string, having gone into many trackers following her comeback third in the trial at Leopardstown.

It seemed to happen a bit quickly for her at Newmarket, where she was looked after by Friday's rider Seamie Heffernan in finishing 11th, and ought to be a lot better.

As a half-sister to seven-furlong specialist Viscount Barfield, admittedly by versatile stallion Fastnet Rock, she is not a guaranteed stayer over a mile and a half.

Magic Wand:

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

Jockey: Ryan Moore

Odds: 4-1

Slow-burning filly who burst to prominence with a fine front-running display in the Cheshire Oaks and has the right sort of breeding as a three-parts sister to the French Oaks winner Chicquita.

There was a feeling, though, that she was handed her Roodee prize on a silver platter with such an easy lead from a good draw and this is not likely to be the case again here.

Perfect Clarity:

Trainer: Clive Cox

Jockey: Adam Kirby

Odds: 15-2

Unbeaten in two starts, including the often-informative Lingfield Oaks Trial, so absolutely no reason why connections should not chance their arm.

Obliged that day despite jockey Adam Kirby dropping his whip, yet the contest simply didn’t look a particularly strong one and she is probably going to find a few too good.

Wild Illusion:

Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Jockey: William Buick

Odds: 5-2

The only Group One winner in the field courtesy of a victory in the Prix Marcel Boussac and has always had the look of an Oaks filly through her robust pedigree.

Just lacked the pace of Billesdon Brook and subsequent Prix Saint Alary winner Laurens in the Guineas, where the ground might have been a touch too fast, and should enjoy the conditions. Sets the standard and is a worthy favourite.

RACINGUK.COM VERDICT:

As much as one tries to be enthusiastic, to suggest that this is an outstanding renewal of the Investec Oaks would be highly disingenuous.

The withdrawal of ante-post favourite Lah Ti Dar cast a long shadow over the race and even at declaration time we lost Magical and Sea Of Class, the second and third favourites.

It has not felt as if this was a vintage group of staying three-year-old fillies throughout the trials and we might have to settle on Friday for another Qualify or Talent, rather than an Enable or Snow Fairy.

The only contender with legitimate claims to greatness at this stage is Wild Illusion, who is already a Group One winner and was fourth on her reappearance in the Guineas.

It is perfectly feasible that she will come out on top but a concern is that she is a sole Godolphin flagbearer amidst a gang of Coolmore potential improvers in a race which might become tactical.

Aidan O’Brien has not been a dominant factor in this season’s Classics but he could return to the fore this weekend and BYE BYE BABY is the percentage pick with market confidence and plenty in her favour.

If there is to be a real boilover then it could be Ejtyah, who looked as if she would come forward from her reappearance in the Musidora.

1: Bye Bye Baby 2: Wild Illusion 3: Ejtyah