INVESTEC OAKS Preview and Tip

Yes, we are very much a jump racing website but to keep you Flat fans entertained here’s a runner by runner guide to The Epsom Oaks, form and speed ratings plus tip by Graham Richards. JP INVESTEC OAKS (Group 1) (Fillies) (CLASS 1) (3yo) Distance: 1m 4f 10y Going: GoodO

Full-sister to Was who won this race in 2012. Ran well in a Group Three last time out in France. Looked to enjoy herself at the “Breakfast With The Stars”, handling the track and working nicely.

Improving filly liked by her trainer. Second in Lingfield Oaks trial though form let down in France by the winner. Plenty to do on form.

Subject of good gallop reports this spring, Crystal Zvezda bolted up in a Fillies Listed Stakes at Newbury. Travelled well through the race, before powering down the outside to win going away. Half-sister to two Group winners that won over a mile and half. Improving all the time and open to significant improvement both physically and in her races.

Progressive filly that won her maiden before finished third in a Listed race at Navan (Subsequent Irish 1000 Guineas winner Pleasarch finished second). Landed the Listed Cheshire Oaks on her next start, travelling well before powering clear switched to the outside in the home straight. Dam runner-up in English and Irish Oaks.

Ended an excellent juvenile season when second in the Group One Prix Marcel Boussac at Longchamp. Conceding 5lb, she beat fellow Irish challenger Legatissimo into second place at the Curragh last August. (Together Forever third) Returned to action when a running on fourth to Pleasarch in the Irish 1000 Guineas. Almost last, with three-furlongs to run, she ran on strongly in the final two-furlongs to be beaten just two lengths. Sire, who is yet to produce a Group One winner, was a Group One winner over a mile and a half while her dam stayed ten-furlongs.

Useful filly that improved from her maiden win to take the ten-furlong Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket. Likeable and bred to improve with time and experience. Not sure to see out a mile and a half on breeding.

Returned to action when successful in the Listed Height Of Fashion stakes over ten-furlongs. Finished strongly and looks sure to stay a mile and a half on breeding. Handled Goodwood’s cambers suggesting Epsom should not pose a problem.

Following a Listed win at Gowran Park, Legatissimo finished strongly to land the 1000 Guineas from Lucida. The pair clear of the third with decent fillies following them home at a respectable distance. Looks sure to stay a mile and a half as closely related to two winners over a mile and a half (One stayed two and half-miles). The average Timeform winners rating since 2010 is 130, suggesting she will take the beating if running her race.

Group Three winner in 2014 but out of form this year. One imagines her presence in the race is to ensure a good pace for stablechums and Legatissimo.

Followed up a win at Newbury in a Conditions race with a game win in the Musidora Stakes at York. Not certain to stay the trip (Trainer thinks otherwise) and 4lb worse off with Together Forever for a head.

Improved through her juvenile season and looks sure to stay a mile and a half. Closely matched with Jack Naylor on juvenile form with improvement likely following her York run. Deserted by Mr Moore who was on top at York. Exclusive form and speed ratings:

JPFestival.com Tip:

Together Forever – each way recommended.