Lancashire Oaks preview: quotes from connections

Connections of Tiffany are looking to give the mare a shot of confidence as she makes a rare appearance at home in the Betway Lancashire Oaks at Newmarket.

The Sir Mark Prescott-trained six-year-old has not been seen in domestic action for more than 20 months but she will take her chance on Saturday just a couple of miles away from the Newmarket handler’s Heath House Stables.

Tiffany made her seasonal debut last month in a Listed race at Chantilly and was only headed close to the line.

That saw her take the runner-up spot for the fourth time in a row – the previous three being in Group One company – and connections look to have found her a perfect opportunity close to home, not least as the race has temporarily moved from its traditional home of Haydock.

Assistant trainer William Butler said: “It looks a nice race to find for her. On ratings it gives her a good chance to get a victory to her name.

“She won’t know what it’s like to just go up the road and run but she’s been a model of consistency and it would be great just to get her head in front and to give her a bit of confidence.

“We were probably beaten by an improver in France and she did everything right and got beat which was frustrating, but it was a very good reappearance and let’s hope she can go one better on Saturday.

“We felt she was fit enough to go to France, but you would expect them all to come on just a touch from their seasonal debuts.”

Noel Meade will launch a raid from Ireland, with Caught U Sleeping looking to go one better than her second to the potentially exciting Rebel Moon at Naas, as she bids to strike at Pattern level for the first time.

Meade said: “She wasn’t unlucky, she was just beaten by a very good filly. They were a long way clear of third and she seemed to stay on well. The trip is a bit of an unknown to be honest, but from her side she has an opponent’s chance of getting it and she’s giving us all the indications that she will.”

She won well in the Naas Oaks Trial to win at Listed level but Meade believes it is a good opportunity for more black type.

He said: “She won well previously at Naas and she was staying on well and it’s a stiff track Naas and I suppose it’s stiffer than Newmarket. When I entered her I didn’t really think I’d be going, but when I saw the field Sir Mark Prescott’s one looks the standout and other than that there’s nothing between the rest of them.

“The quicker the ground the better. She loves fast ground.”

Ralph Beckett will be double-handed at HQ with Tattycoram and Lady Roisia, while George Boughey has a twin assault of his own with Lady Dora Mae and Sharpen.

Brian Meehan’s Miss Justice, Lava Stream from David O’Meara’s yard and John and Thady Gosden’s Crepe Suzette complete the line-up of nine.