'She's a great ride to pick up' - Marquand excited for O'Brien Oaks mount

Tom Marquand and Joseph O’Brien have history when it comes to landing a British Classic and they will team up again on Friday with intriguing Cazoo Oaks contender Tranquil Lady.

Galileo Chrome provided a first Classic success for Marquand when landing the St Leger at Doncaster in 2020 and remains the jockey’s sole winner from eight rides in Britain for O’Brien.

Marquand received a late call-up for the Town Moor hero when the colt’s intended rider Shane Crosse tested positive for coronavirus the day before, but this time the leading British jockey’s services have been booked in advance for the Teme Valley-owned filly.

Cazoo Oaks confirmations and betting

Tranquil Lady was Listed-placed on her final start at two and has taken her form to the next level this season, stepping up on an encouraging fourth at Navan – behind fellow Oaks hope Concert Hall, trained by Joseph’s father Aidan – to land the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes at Naas this month.

The daughter of 2014 Derby winner Australia produced a big career-best at Naas, travelling well before clearing away for a four-length success under Dylan Browne McMonagle.

Tranquil Lady – a half-sister to stablemate State Of Rest, the Cox Plate hero who runs in the same colours – recorded a Racing Post Rating of 111, which is 2lb higher than the figure registered by Oaks favourite Emily Upjohn in the Musidora Stakes at York.

She is a best-priced 14-1 with bet365, Bet Victor and William Hill to win the fillies’ Classic and Marquand believes she is “a great ride to pick up”.

Marquand, who rides Sonny Liston in the Derby, said: “Tranquil Lady was impressive in Ireland last time on soft enough ground.

“I won the St Leger on a ride for Joseph and I wouldn't mind continuing that record but it's a tough race. There are a few in there who look pretty good but I'm looking forward to riding her."

Tranquil Lady featured among 12 confirmations for the £525,000 Classic, with the field whittled down from 18 entries.

Lingfield Oaks Trial winner Rogue Millennium was added at a cost of £30,000 on Saturday and will bid to complete a double last achieved by Anapurna in 2019.

Prix Saint-Alary runner Above The Curve and outsiders Life Of Dreams, History, Emotion and Ottilien were among those not confirmed.

Emily Upjohn and Nashwa are two leading players for John and Thady Gosden, while Aidan O’Brien has Tuesday, Thoughts Of June and The Algarve along with Concert Hall.

Emily Upjohn: Oaks favourite featured among 12 confirmations for the ClassicCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Three-time Group 1 winner Alpinista, who was as short as 3-1 for the DahlBury Coronation Cup at Epsom, will miss Friday's race after not being confirmed.

Kirsten Rausing’s homebred mare has yet to run this season and was among 15 absentees from the £425,000 contest at the six-day stage.

The Sir Mark Prescott-trained Alpinista sealed a first Group 1 success when defeating Arc winner Torquator Tasso and Canadian International scorer Walton Street in the Grosser Preis von Berlin at Hoppegarten in August.

She went on to secure a top-level hat-trick, landing the Preis von Europa at Cologne the following month and the Grosser Preis von Bayern at Munich in November.

Last year’s Prix Vermeille winner Teona, Breeders’ Cup Turf hero Yibir and Kyprios – a leading fancy for next month’s Gold Cup – are other high-profile omissions from the race.

Pyledriver will bid for back-to-back wins and heads the betting alongside Manobo, who has won five of his six starts. His trainer Charlie Appleby won this race with Ghaiyyath two years ago.

Living Legend, who beat Yibir in the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes last time, has been supplemented for the race at a cost of £25,000. The six-year-old has won his last three starts and is trained by Charlie and Mark Johnston.

Hukum, High Definition and Palavecino complete the possible runners and it could well be the smallest field since four contested the 2015 edition won by Pether’s Moon.

The Derby also lost a runner on Saturday, with David Menuisier stating a late injury would rule Sir Bob Parker out of the race. He tweeted: "Sad to report our Derby hope Sir Bob Parker has sustained an injury today which will see him out of action for a little while. So close but so far from the dream race."

The next acceptance stage for the Derby is Monday, at which point Godolphin are expected to supplement seven-length Newmarket Stakes winner Nations Pride, but it will not be until 24 hours later on the Tuesday before a decision on whether or not the Roger Varian-trained 2,000 Guineas fourth Eydon participates in the Derby or the Prix du Jockey Club.

Ted Voute, racing manager to owner Prince Faisal, said: "We won't make our decision if Eydon runs in the Derby or not until Tuesday. I haven't spoke to Roger yet but I know he worked today and it went well, but we need to talk to Roger first and we will make our decision then."

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