Candice set to run in the Epsom Oaks

Ed Dunlop will be double-handed in Friday's Vodafone Oaks after it was confirmed today that Candice will join stablemate Mot Juste in the Epsom Classic.

Owner Sheikh Maktoum Al Maktoum requested that, despite stamina doubts, Candice run in the £325,000 Oaks rather than the French equivalent - Chantilly's Prix de Diane two days later over almost two furlongs shorter than Epsom's mile-and-a-half trip. The filly finished a disappointing third to Foodbroker Fancy on her sole start this term.

Richard Quinn has been booked for the ride in the absence of any contender from his employer, Henry Cecil. But Newmarket-based Dunlop warned Frankie Dettori would replace Quinn should Godolphin filly, Najah, incur a setback in the run-up to the Classic. Richard Hughes partners Pretty Polly Stakes heroine, Mot Juste.

"Both fillies worked last Saturday and I was very happy with them," said Dunlop.

"Mot Juste is ready, but Candice will do a little more again today. We know Mot Juste stays well, but she may be vulnerable to a filly with a turn of foot.

"We can't be certain Candice stays 12 furlongs - her Goodwood trial was extremely inconclusive as she blew up in the closing stages. We will ride her differently at Epsom - drop her in and get a lead. On the plus side, she had the class to get within a neck of subsequent 1,000 Guineas winner, Ameerat, at two."

In other Oaks news, Whitsbury handler David Elsworth has maintained a winning partnership by booking Dane O'Neill for Foodbroker Fancy.

The filly was supplemented for the Oaks last Friday at a cost of £20,000 after springing that surprise in Goodwood's Lupe Stakes.