Appleby targeting Investec Oaks with unbeaten Wuheida

Charlie Appleby has revealed his prime Classic contender Wuheida, who features prominently among the Qipco 1,000 Guineas entries, has the Investec Oaks at Epsom in June as her main target.

The unbeaten daughter of Dubawi, 10-1 second favourite for the 1,000 Guineas with Ladbrokes, looked in imperious form when stretching her legs on Wednesday, when entries for both Newmarket Classics were unveiled.

Champion two-year-old Churchill heads 11 Aidan O'Brien-trained entries for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas, of which there are 69 in total, while 57 fillies, headed by Ballydoyle's ante-post favourite Rhododendron, are engaged in the 1,000 Guineas.

Wuheida, a general 16-1 chance for Epsom, scored on her debut at Newmarket last August before going on to show her potential when landing the Group 1 Prix Marcel Boussac.

Appleby is chasing his first British Classic with the homebred three-year-old since Dawn Approach landed the 2,000 Guineas in 2013.

Unlike some of her stablemates, Wuheida has not enjoyed a winter out in Dubai at Appleby's Al Marmoom Stables, where the likes of Eclipse winner Hawkbill and useful sprinter Blue Point are currently in residence in a revival of a Godolphin practice that was discontinued more than a decade ago.

Appleby said: "Wuheida has had a smashing winter and the plan is to take her straight to the Qipco 1,000 Guineas.

"She would have a Group 1 penalty if she ran in one of the trials, so we'll bide our time as her main target is the Oaks. Her dam won over a mile and a half, so hopefully that could be her trip in time."

Blue Point, winner of the Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York last year, is to stick to sprinting after failing to stay seven furlongs behind Churchill in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket last October.

Appleby said: "Blue Point is still in Dubai, where he's been all winter, and the plan is to start him back in the Group 2 Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock in May."

Godolphin colours are also expected to be carried in the 2,000 Guineas by Frankel's son Swiss Storm, whose trainer David Elsworth sold his half-share in the exciting colt following an impressive win in a Newbury maiden.

Elsworth said: "I sold a 2,000 Guineas winner to Sheikh Mohammed a few years ago in the shape of Island Sands, so he knows where to come.

"I've always liked the horse and bought him myself for 235,000gns [from breeder and remaining part-owner Lordship Stud], which I thought was cheap for a Frankel. I was going to run him again after he won his maiden but he wasn't quite right and we decided to put him away for the 2,000 Guineas."

The Newmarket trainer added: "Hopefully he can run in either the Greenham or the Craven Stakes and we'll see how he progresses. It's a tough ask against some of the Irish opposition but it's the time of year for optimism."