'I think Tom is sick of the word Nashwa' - Doyle and Marquand set for Oaks clash

Friday: 4.30 Epsom
Cazoo Oaks (Group 1) (British Champions Series) (Fillies) | 1m4f | 3yo | ITV/RTV

Eydon's absence from Saturday's Cazoo Derby means David Egan won't ride against his father John, who is aboard El Habeeb, but there will be family bragging rights up for grabs in the Cazoo Oaks on Friday when husband and wife Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle create Classic history by taking each other on.

On paper, Doyle appears to have the upper hand as her mount Nashwa, who landed a Listed race at Newbury recently, is the 4-1 second favourite, but Joseph O'Brien was quick to book Marquand for Naas Group 3 winner Tranquil Lady, who is a 14-1 shot.

Doyle, who married Marquand in March, said: "Tom might be my husband but, when we're in a race, it's very competitive – we don't give each other an inch.

"I suppose from the outside looking in it's quite weird and unique, but we're so used to it now, it's not really a big thing.

"There's probably more banter and chat from my side. I think Tom is probably sick of hearing the word Nashwa over the last three or four weeks!"

Nashwa: smart filly could have a say in the OaksCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Marquand, who won the 2020 St Leger on Galileo Chrome for O'Brien, added: "We ride against each other pretty much every day and have since we were pony racing, so it doesn't make much difference to me whether it's a Group 1 or Class 6.

"Hollie has got a good chance and I've got a good chance. I've picked up a good ride and she looked pretty dominant in Ireland when she won last time.

"She looks like she's going to stay well and Joseph always sends promising ones to England so hopefully she holds one of the big cards, and we had a nice bit of luck together in the St Leger a couple of years ago."

Upjohn camp up for it without getting carried away

Hot favourite Emily Upjohn is the only name on punters' lips for the Oaks according to William Hill, which report more than 50 per cent of bets on the Classic have been on the unbeaten powerhouse.

Those closest to the Musidora winner do not see it like that and joint-trainer John Gosden feels she has been overhyped, while Jon Shack is full of respect for her rivals.

"Most of them have either won a Group or Listed race so it's a top-quality affair, but we're hopeful of a good run," said Shack, who owns Emily Upjohn through his company Tactful Finance in partnership with Stuart Roden, a retired friend from the City.

Emily Upjohn: unbeaten in three starts to dateCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

"Hopefully she can show her true potential. We're living the dream so there are no nerves at all and we'll let the filly do the talking."

Shack's love of racing can be traced back to his father Cyril, who was involved with Swiss Maid, Europe's champion filly in 1978, and 1981 Prix de Diane winner Madam Gay.

"This is my biggest runner personally, but Dad had great success and was second twice in the Oaks, so we're hoping to go one better as a family," added the owner who, via Court Pastoral, supplied the late Sir Henry Cecil with his final winner.

"He's getting as much of a kick out of this as me and we're in total shock we can buy something at the sales that was, in relative terms, pretty cheap [60,000gns] and compete.

"She missed the break at Wolverhampton on her debut, ran green and immature and then the penny dropped and she didn't want to get beat. She's a big, strapping beautiful filly, so showed potential going round those bends at Wolverhampton.

"Sir Henry Cecil used to say the horse doesn't know its price and the fact she's favourite doesn't mean much to us.

"It's difficult to judge the others, but that's what makes racing so exciting – the unpredictability of it."

Read our Oaks day previews . . .

2022 Cazoo Oaks pinstickers' guide: quotes and ratings for every horse

Big-race analysis: what does history tell us about which Gosden filly will come out on top in Oaks? (Members' Club)

2.00 Epsom: Richard Hannon out to silence opposition in race he has farmed

2.35 Epsom: 'He's our best chance of the day' - key quotes for competitive handicap

3.10 Epsom: can 'unbelievable horse' Pyledriver land the Coronation Cup again?

3.45 Epsom: will Moktasaab prove a hat-trick hero for Harry Redknapp?

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