'You give it a whirl' - trainer quotes and analysis for the Cheshire Oaks

Weatherbys Bloodstock Pro Cheshire Oaks (Listed) | 3yo fillies | 1m3½f | ITV4/Sky

Its Listed status might be a clue as to why it is difficult to pinpoint an archetypal winner of the Cheshire Oaks, as the conditions of the race are something of a deterrent to running fillies with proven Pattern form at two.

Last year's winner Dubai Fountain proved something of an outlier in that she had run fourth in the Group 1 Fillies' Mile the previous October.

It may also be true that fillies who are bred to thrive over middle distances are more likely to be brought along slowly at two and, once again, this year the race has attracted horses long on potential and short on experience.

Above The Curve has eyecatching collateral form, with the two fillies who beat her on her debut going on to fill the minor places in the Leopardstown 1,000 Guineas Trial behind Homeless Songs, one of the leading candidates for the Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

A daughter of American Pharoah, Above The Curve was always going to want a trip and duly opened her account at Leopardstown last month over 1m2f, although the fact she had the speed to mix it with Villanova Queen and Kerkiyra over a mile on her debut gives slight pause for thought.

Above The Cross (grey silks) chases home Villanova Queen on debut at LeopardstownCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Thoughts Of June has come off second best to Above The Curve on both occasions they met. Ryan Moore rode the daughter of Galileo prominently last time at Leopardstown and it will be interesting to see if he attempts to press forward from an unhelpful draw in stall eight, or takes his medicine and drops in.

Banoffeel is the only recent winner (2013) not to have raced at two, but Hello Jumeirah and Night Battle are both to the fore in the market off the back of debut wins at Kempton and Lingfield respectively.

Neither holds an entry in the Cazoo Oaks, something which is also true of the Queen's Improvise, although a bold showing from her would certainly make headlines after the Reach For The Moon's defection from the Derby picture.

Improvise took a big step forward on her second and final start at two and should not be overlooked.

Of the other Epsom entries, Morning Poem was comfortably beaten over a mile at Kempton and needs to improve for the step up in trip (her dam was third in the Ascot Stakes over 2m4f), while Moon De Vega presents an interesting profile.

Ralph Beckett gave her three starts over a mile last season and she showed a fine attitude on the last of those when battling back to win at Doncaster, while she hails from a good middle-distance family cultivated by Lady O'Reilly.

Above The Curve out to continue Joseph O'Brien's fine run

While it's fair to day that this is the time of the year when Listed and Group races come along in a glut, Joseph O'Brien almost can't see one without winning it at the moment.

Having knocked off the Group 1 Prix Ganay with State Of Rest on Sunday, he backed that up with the victories of Buckaroo and Twilight Spinner at the Curragh on Monday.

Joseph O'Brien has saddled winners at Group 1, Group 3 and Listed level in recent daysCredit: Edward Whitaker

Above The Curve boasts attractive credentials to continue that fine sequence, with the value of her third-placed run in a Leopardstown maiden last October already well advertised by the time she overcame being drawn 12 of 12 back at the Dublin venue to break her duck over a mile and a quarter in taking style.

O'Brien said: "She looked a nice filly at Leopardstown. We're hoping that she can handle the track and learn from the experience. This track can be a good education for her if she is going to be an Epsom filly."

What they say

William Haggas, trainer of Hello Jumeirah
I really need to find out where we are with her. She won a fair race, but did it nicely. She has a bit of physical improvement in her and at this time of the year, when you've got a filly who looks like she stays and has shown some ability, you give it a whirl. My only disappointment is the draw in nine. Even over a mile and a half you either have to go forward or drop back, you can't sit three wide all the way round or you don't have any chance of winning.

Michael Bell, trainer of Improvise
She is a very similar model to her mother, who stayed well and got better as she got older. I'm hoping this filly is very much a pea out of a pod and will follow that path.

The Queen's Improvise (centre) is not entered in the Cazoo Oaks but is in the Ribblesdale at Royal AscotCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Morning Poem
She has plenty of size about her and the trip shouldn't be a problem. It's a competitive race, but it should suit her.

Ed Crisford, joint-trainer of Night Battle
She's stepping up in class from winning on the all-weather and hopefully she can get some black type. We were going to run her in the Pretty Polly but the ground was quick enough so hopefully they get some rain up there.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Thoughts Of June
She ran a lovely race on her first start of the season at Leopardstown and seems to have been in good form since. This looks like a nice race for her and hopefully she'll learn from it.

David Probert, rider of Typewriter
She saw the trip out well and was entitled to need the run at Doncaster. I was pleased with the way she stayed on and she's come out of her race really well. She looks fairly athletic so should be able to handle the track.

Wednesday's race previews:

1.30 Chester: Can David O'Meara land another Lily Agnes with filly taking a well-trodden path?

2.05 Chester: 'He's good to go and we're taking a punt' - Shamlaan bidding for quick follow-up

3.10 Chester: Can New London give Godolphin another Derby hope and break O'Brien monopoly?

Chester Vase analysis: 'This is when the fight between Charlie Appleby and Aidan O'Brien really begins' (£)

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