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Can any challengers defeat Aidan O'Brien's four-strong squad in Oaks Trial?

'She seems to be in good form' - High Heels one O'Brien's four runners in the Naas Oaks Trial
'She seems to be in good form' - High Heels one O'Brien's four runners in the Naas Oaks TrialCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Naas Oaks Trial | 1m2f | 3yo | RTV

Of the four fillies Aidan O'Brien brings to battle, La Jaconde and Willow have Classic experience having contested the Oaks, while High Heels was last seen running third in a Group 3 over the same trip.

Woodland Garden may only have won a Gowran Park maiden on her last start, but did so impressively, and completes what looks a particularly strong foursome for the trainer.

La Joconde and Willow were well beaten at Epsom, with the Derby run on slow ground, but should be suited by the sounder surface.

High Heels would appear to be the Ballydoyle number one on jockey bookings, but her career-best effort in the Munster Oaks at Cork came over 1m4f and she will need to prove herself over a couple of furlongs shorter.

If there is a potential improver in the race, the Paddy Twomey-trained La Petite Coco could be the one.

The form of her Killarney stable debut win has worked out well and she should be an even better prospect over this trip.


What they say

Dermot Weld, trainer of Alazenya and Shandra
Alazenya won her maiden well at Leopardstown and I think she has progressed. I expect her to run a very nice race. Shandra is an equally nice filly. A good winner of her maiden at the Curragh, she took a bit of time to come to herself in the spring but I think she has an equally good chance of winning as Alazenya does.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Willow and Woodland Garden
The ground didn’t suit Willow at Epsom. We’d be hoping to pick up some black type with Woodland Garden.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of La Petite Coco
She came to us after she was fourth at Naas and we went to Killarney to see where we were at and she ran a lovely race. I would have liked to have gone to Gowran Park, to run in something similar to Killarney, but unfortunately that meeting was called off. This has been the plan ever since. We think she can give a good account of herself, and the step up in trip should be a help.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Mariesque and Sense Of Style
Sense Of Style is trying a new trip and has a bad draw, which is not ideal. She has been running well this year. Mariesque won her maiden well and this is a big step up in class but we hope she can acquit herself well.


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Published on 22 June 2021inPreviews

Last updated 17:26, 23 June 2021

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