Eswarah heads Oaks field
Vodafone Oaks heroine Eswarah will have her second start since landing the Epsom Classic when facing 10 rivals in the Aston Upthorpe Yorkshire Oaks at York on Wednesday.
Michael Jarvis’ charge lost her unbeaten tag last month, coming home eighth in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Newbury.
The daughter of Unfuwain faces a strong challenge on the Knavesmire with John Gosden’s Fillies’ Mile winner and Irish Oaks runner-up Playful Act set to take her on.
Kevin Prendergast’s Right Key was fourth in that Curragh Classic having won her two previous starts and renews rivalry, as does fifth home Dash To The Top for Luca Cumani.
There is an international feel with French raider Shamdala trying to land a hat-trick in the Group One contest.
Lune d’Or also represents France, while Itoa will take her chance for Germany.
Favourita, second to Eswarah earlier in the season, has been beaten on her last two outings in Listed company and will be having her first crack at a mile and half in the £250,000 race.
Last year’s Oaks third and Ribblesdale winner Punctilious bounced back to form at Newbury last month and will bid to follow up, while John Oxx’s Hazarista - third in this race 12 months ago – again takes her chance.
The Richard Hannon-trained Aunt Julia, third to Punctilious last time out, completes the field.
