Kieren Fallon, who was successful on Reams Of Verse two years ago, can tomorrow win his second Vodafone Oaks at Epsom on Ramruma, trained by Henry Cecil, who has won this premier fillies' Classic five times.

Unbeaten in two starts this season, Ramruma got off the mark in determined style at Newmarket before landing the Lingfield Oaks Trail. She has already proved her stamina to stay a mile and a half and shown her ability to cope with an undulating track.

Although far from impressive at Lingfield, Ramruma has worked consistently well since then and has come through her big-race preparation without a hitch.

The one slight worry is the ground, which yesterday received "a good soaking", according to clerk of the course Andrew Cooper.

That said, the ground is still said to be only on the softer side of good and, with Epsom being such a well-drained course, it could well ride nearly perfect tomorrow, assuming the weather remains dry in the meantime.

Zahrat Dubai, who waltzed home in the Musidora Stakes at York last month, has since been the subject of indifferent reports.

She is a filly of genuine talent, but is quite highly-strung and it is not unlikely that the whole razzmatazz of Epsom could upset her.

Claxon, doughty winner of the Lupe Stakes at Goodwood, commands plenty of respect representing John Dunlop and Pat Eddery. French challenger Sunday Picnic fits into a similar mould, carrying the formidable flag of trainer Andre Fabre and jockey Olivier Peslier.

But my vote goes to Ramruma to give henry Cecil and Kieren Fallon a second combined Oaks victory.

It promises to be a wonderful day for the Warren Place partnership because, 40 minutes before the Oaks, Cecil will give Fallon the leg-up on Royal Anthem in the Coronation Cup.

Winner of four of his six races last season, including the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Canadian International at Woodbine, Royal Anthem also finished an excellent third to Swain in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.

Likely to be even more effective this season as a four-year-old, he is fancied to prove too strong tomorrow for last year's winner Silver Patriarch.

Also worth noting on the opening day of Epsom are Alistair Smellie (2.45), who got no sort of run at Chester last time, and the Tim Easterby-trained Tier Worker (5.45), a progressive three-year-old bidding for a hat-trick of wins.

At Catterick don't look any further for the winner of the Scorton Claiming Stakes than recent course winner Brodessa.

Despite being 13 years old, Mary Reveley's snow-white gelding can still give his juniors a lesson in galloping.

The highly-regarded Half Moon Bay (2.25) is fancied to make amends for his below-par run at Thirsk last time, while Linea-G carries the Nap vote to lift the Leslie Petch Handicap after her narrow defeat at Ayr last time.

John Quinn, who saddled a near 144-1 double at Beverley last night - highlighted by the now Royal Ascot-bound Tara's Girl in the Hilary Needler Trophy - can hit the target again with Westwood View (3.40).

A total of 13 horses stood their ground for the Emirates Airline Prix duJockey-Club (French Derby) at Chantilly on Sunday. Daliapour and Obviously Fun were the only defectors.

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