Classic build-up continues apace

RACING NEWS ROUND-UP:AIDAN O'BRIEN'S team continue their classic build-up towards the Epsom Oaks at both York and Naas today.

O'Brien has a total of eight fillies quoted in ante-post betting for the Oaks and the 7 to 1 favourite Moonstone will try to lose her maiden tag in this afternoon's Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.

Moonstone will be joined in the eight-runner field by Jim Bolger's Lush Lashes who ran sixth in the 1,000 Guineas and also two of the main British hopes for Oaks glory, Dar Re Mi and Cape Amber.

Johnny Murtagh will be on board US Ranger in the Group Two Duke Of York Stakes while Seamus Heffernan will be on the other O'Brien hope Honoured Guest. Irish hopes in the six furlong sprint will also be carried by Haatef (Declan McDonogh.) The Duke Of York is due off at 3.10pm and McDonogh will join his colleagues in the dash for the first race at Naas this evening at 5.50pm.

Naas also has a Group Three trial in the Blue Wind Stakes with McDonogh on board the unbeaten Kevin Prendergast trained filly Marjalina who is a 16 to 1 shot for Epsom. "We will make a decision about the Oaks after this race," Prendergast said yesterday. "It's an unknown trip and unknown ground although she did win her maiden on fastish ground."

O'Brien has three of the eight Blue Wind runners with Murtagh booked for Adored who is as low as 20 to 1 for the Oaks.

The Galileo filly improved a great deal from her seasonal debut to win a maiden on soft ground at Gowran by 11 lengths. Adored carried her head quite high in the closing stages at Gowran and ground conditions will be very different this time.

However, the filly she beat, Ebalista, had quite a high home reputation and winning any maiden by such a wide margin is always impressive.

There are two older horses against the classic generation including Profound Beauty who has some smart form. However, she has shown a preference for some cut in the ground in the past.

Murtagh is on board a number of interesting juvenile newcomers tonight with the Storm Cat filly Empress Of France making her debut in the first while Navajo will tackle a couple of winners in the two-year-old conditions race.

Navajo is by Danehill Dancer out of the high-class sprinter Pipalong and he is bred to go well in a six-furlong event like this.

Peeping Fawn broke her duck in the mile maiden last year before embarking on her prolific Group One winning summer but it's hard to think lightning will strike twice now.

Nevertheless, Dermot Weld's Soaring Emotions showed some smart form as a juvenile and could continue her trainer's hot-streak.

Age Of Chivalry drops back from black-type company to take in the six-furlong handicap and John Oxx's decision to run the filly in a race like this off a mark of 99 looks significant.