Follow Frankie in Classic clash

It was clear even then that getting Punctilious to settle in front would provide the key to unlocking her potential. A spell in Dubai over the winter helped in that regard, and she returned looking a much calmer filly at York last month to make short work of her rivals in the Musidora Stakes.

Granted, the five fillies she beat that day were nothing special, but she galloped on relentlessly despite the odd flick of her tail and should have the race run to suit her again in what will be the smallest Oaks field since User Friendly beat six rivals in 1992.

So what of the opposition?

Sundrop has progressed relentlessly since making a winning debut at Lingfield for David Loder last September and shaped like a filly who ought to relish middle distances when failing by just half a length to peg back the unbeaten Attraction in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month.

Ed Dunlop's Ouija Board ran out a highly impressive winner of a Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket which looks very solid form, while All Too Beautiful is a full sister to the 2001 Derby winner Galileo who is open to bags of improvement after making it two wins from two attempts with an impressive success in a Listed race at Navan.

Necklace, Kisses For Me and the well-regarded Windsor winner Crystal complete the seven-runner field, but Punctilious looks the most likely winner.

Anyone who took the advice published in Standard Sport's 12-To-Follow in April might be in the enviable position of sitting on some 25-1 bets in the ante-post market.

The 2-1 on offer now looks a shade mean in comparison, but Dettori clearly feels she has what it takes and Punctilious won't give up her advantage easily if she can poach a lead passing the twofurlong pole.

There used to be a time when the Vodafone Coronation Cup struggled to attract runners, but this year's renewal has drawn a dozen high-class horses for a race which couldn't look more open if the weights had been framed by the official handicapper.

Aidan O'Brien will be looking to end his recent frustrations with last year's St Leger winner Brian Boru, while Godolphin unveil a fascinating new recruit in the shape of the unexposed Arc de Tromphe fourth Doyen.

High Accolade, Systematic and Magistretti add further spice to a fascinating £250,000 contest, but the safest bet in such a wide open race is probably Warrsan.

Clive Brittain's six-year-old thrived on racing in 2003 and produced a relentless run under Philip Robinson to land this race in courageous fashion.

The stable started this year quietly, but Warrsan looked ready to peak again when third behind Gamut and Systematic in the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket and, with no Group 1 penalty to shoulder this time, he looks sure to give his followers another good run for their money.