Playful Sound gives Moore good chance of yet another Oaks

British EBF totepool Nottinghamshire Oaks (Listed) | 4yo+ fillies and mares | 1m2f50y | RUK

Ryan Moore has a favourite's chance of winning a third Investec Oaks when he partners 1,000 Guineas second Rhododendron at Epsom on Friday, but he has never won a Nottinghamshire Oaks, or Warwick Oaks as it was known before the race's transfer.

He might put that right on Sir Michael Stoute's Playful Sound, who has four wins to her name from only five starts and steps back up in class after winning a Newmarket handicap on her return.

The Newsells Park Stud-owned filly possibly had something amiss when she disappointed in similar company on her final last year, for her record is otherwise characterised by the steady progression we have long come to expect from the stable's fillies in particular.

Not a conventional Oaks

This is not an 'Oaks' in the traditional sense, as it is not open to three-year-olds. With none of today's runners having a higher BHA rating than 99 it offers a good opportunity for a relatively exposed filly to pick up some valuable black type.

Trainers with 'previous'

James Fanshawe (Permission) and Ralph Beckett (Very Dashing) were both winners of this race when it was run at Warwick.

What they say

John Gosden, trainer of Alf Guineas
She didn't stay the trip at Goodwood last time and also didn't like the track so we are hoping this distance and flatter course will help. She's been in good form at home since.

David Simcock, trainer of Singyoursong
It's an open race and she is in good order. She has done her handicap winning and we are looking for a bit of black type.

William Haggas, trainer of Entsar
She was kept in training to run in black-type races, but we ducked Ayr because it was too firm and we'll duck this too unless the ground is suitable.

Ed De Giles, trainer of Lucy The Painter
She was third in a Group 3 over 1m at Sandown last year and I think she gets every yard of this extra two furlongs, although we've only tried it once. She would have been a lot closer at Goodwood last time but for meeting trouble, and she should run a nice race.

James Fanshawe, trainer of Permission
She ran really well at Ascot, where she settled well and was only beaten by a younger filly getting a huge amount of weight, and although she's a half-sister to Cotai Glory she's by Authorized, and so I'm hopeful she'll stay. The main aim of course is black type.

Martyn Meade, trainer of Wilamina
She started really well last year and then her form tailed off. I'm not sure why, but I'm really pleased with the way she's come back. I think the step up in trip will suit and she should be up to this sort of class. She's in good form and the ground should be okay for her.