Dermot Weld won this race back in 1981 with Blue Wind and there is growing confidence behind unbeaten filly Chinese White. However, this is a colossal step up in class from her recent romp in a Listed event at Gowran Park.
John Oxx rarely brings runners to these shores but when he does it pays to take note and his Katiyra must command a lot of respect. Although beaten last time out over a mile, the manner in which she ran on in the closing stages suggests that the extra distance of the Oaks will be more suitable.
The home team is headed by Frankie Dettori's mount Clowance, who has got better with each run and has a pedigree stacked with stamina. Improvement will need to be shown on what she has achieved, but that could be possible as fillies tend to do so at this time of year.
Of the bigger-priced runners John Gosden's Michita, a daughter of Dynaformer who gave a four-and-ahalf-length beating to highly rated Annie Skates at Goodwood last time, looks an exciting prospect.
Michita rates good each-way value but Lush Lashes remains the one they've all got to beat.
To win this classic a filly must have a pedigree that has both speed and stamina, a touch of class, and ideally will have performed well in Group 1 events.
Lush Lashes has all of these attributes having finished sixth in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and, despite all the criticism being heaped upon the County Carlow trainer, can get Epsomoff to a great start for Bolger and his son-in-law jockey Kevin Manning.
