ILLUSION CAN MAKE OAKS WIN A REALITY

WITH five of the nine Investec Oaks contenders trained by Aidan O’Brien, there could be a familiar postscript to today’s prestigious female Classic.

Three of the past six Oaks winners have come from Ballydoyle and, with two of those priced at 20-1 and 50-1, deciding which of the O’Brien quintet has the best chance is not straightforward.

Add in the 40-1 success of Wings Of Eagles in last year’s Derby and siding with the Ryan Moore-ridden choice in a Classic is not always the best tactic, either.

The Godolphin operation prefer to concentrate on one runner —

WILD ILLUSION (Epsom, 4.30) — and I hope she can defy the Irish raiders to give trainer Charlie Appleby a taste of Classic glory.

The boys in blue have lived in the shadow of Coolmore and Ballydoyle for too long now, but Dubawi is one of the world’s top sires and a number of his progeny are thriving.

That appears to be the case with Wild Illusion, who seemed to enjoy some cut in the ground as a juvenile, especially when lifting the Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly in October.

She announced her presence on the world stage that day, taking positives from her comeback at Newmarket, where the ground would arguably have been too lively in the 1,000 Guineas.

Given Wild Illusion’s mother, Rumh, was a strong stayer and Dubawi can impart stamina, a mile on fast ground was always likely to be an insufficient test. This afternoon’s 12 furlongs promises further improvement. The nap vote is reserved for

JUANITO CHICO (Epsom, nap, 5.50) who was another to make his return at Newmarket when looking as though the run would improve him mentally and physically.

His yard are enjoying a good season and he should relish the return to this venue.