Aviate on Course for York Oaks Trial

The next seven days will tell Henry Cecil a great deal as to the realistic expectations for two of his leading three-year-old fillies, Timepiece and Aviate.

Timpiece goes to Lingfield this weekend for the Oaks Trial, whilst recent Ascot scorer Aviate is set to go north to York to tackle the Group 3 Musidora Stakes, writes Elliot Slater.

Aviate, currently on general offer in the Oaks racing tips ante-post market at 25/1, is in truth a doubtful stayer over the full Oaks trip.

Being a daughter of Dansili out of an Irish River mare, her pedigree suggests that her optimum trip will be no more than 10 furlongs (the distance of the York event), and that going any further would place serious pressure on her stamina.

Her full brother, Early March, was a very decent performer some five years ago, but never managed to stay further than one mile.

Aviate is unbeaten in both career starts, an all-weather maiden at Kempton last November, and an eyecatching winner at Ascot last month in a conditions race over a mile in which she comprehensively outpointed the much higher rated Blue Angel by a comfortable length-and-three quarters.

Cecil has made no secret that he regards Aviate as a potentially smart sort. Hopes are high at Warren Place that she will make up into a French Oaks (10f) filly.

Her run in the Musidora will tell Cecil a great deal as to where he should go next with Prince Khaled Abdullah's three-year-old and just how far she will actually stay at group level.

Amongst the likely opposition on the Knavesmire, 1000 Guineas third Gile Na Greine is a possible contender for Irish handler Jim Bolger, who has also entered Akdarena and Gold Bubbles, whilst Mark Johnston's Newmarket Pretty Polly Stakes winner Marie De Medici also holds an entry along with Godolphin's Wedding March.

Aidan O'Brien's sole entry is Awe Inspiring, the comfortable winner of a Cork maiden in April and who holds entries in all horse racing Ireland 's events this summer.