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The Aidan O’Brien-trained Marvellous heads a field of 17 fillies chasing classic success in the £525,000 Investec Oaks, in memory of Sir Henry Cecil, on the opening day of the two-day Investec Derby Festival at Epsom Downs on Friday.
Marvellous is the 3/1 favourite with Coral, betting partner of the Investec Derby Festival, and the choice of stable jockey Joseph O'Brien following an impressive three lengths success in the Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh on May 25.
Aidan O'Brien, who completed the Irish 1000 Guineas-Investec Oaks double with Imagine in 2001, will also be represented by Palace (16/1) and Listed Salsabil Stakes winner Dazzling (40/1).
Ireland's challenge is completed by the Dermot Weld-trained Tarfasha (Pat Smullen, 7/1), who recorded a decisive three and a quarter length success in the 10-furlong G3 Blue Wind Stakes at Naas on May 14.
Tarfasha's owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum is also responsible for the unbeaten Taghrooda (John Gosden, 7/2), who strolled away with the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket's Guineas Festival, while Godolphin will be represented by QIPCO 1000 Guineas third Ihtimal (9/1).
All the winners of the recognised trials are engaged, headed by G2 Musidora Stakes heroine Madame Chiang (9/1).
Runner-up Lily Rules (40/1) was supplemented at a cost of £30,000 on Saturday, as were Anipa (25/1) and Honor Bound (25/1), who scored in Listed trials at Chester and Lingfield Park respectively.
Marsh Daisy (9/1) was also added to the Investec Oaks at the supplementary stage, following a two-lengths success in the Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood on May 22.
The daughter of Pivotal was unraced at two, but has made swift progress this spring and also captured a competitive 10-furlong maiden at Ascot on May 9.
Trainer Hughie Morrison reported: "Everything has gone well with Marsh Daisy. It's a big decision to supplement but in reality if a horse has won a trial and is in good form, you take your chance.
"The owner felt that you don't get many chances to have a Classic runner and I think it was the right decision to supplement.
"It's always a surprise when a filly progresses like she has because we haven't done a lot with her. The only serious work she has done has been on the racecourse.
"I think it's an open race, but Marvellous has every right to be favourite because she looks as if she will stay.
“She's by Galileo from a wonderful family and I'm surprised she isn't 7/4.
"Of the others, we have all done well in trials. Taghrooda was impressive and I know they think a lot of her.
“I think it's a strong race this year because we've had such a mild spring and a lot of fillies have come to hand earlier than normal."
Jimmy Fortune resumes his partnership with Marsh Daisy at Epsom Downs on Friday.
Volume (12/1) comes in on the back of a game front-running victory in the Listed Swettenham Stud Trial at Newbury on May 16.
Inchila (40/1) stayed on to be fourth that day, but was found to be in season and will re-oppose for trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam.
Ed Dunlop, who sent out Ouija Board and Snow Fairy to land the Oaks in 2004 and 2010 respectively, will be represented by Amazing Maria (25/1) and Island Remede (125/1).
The 17-strong field, the biggest since 21 lined up in 1982, is completed by Musidora Stakes third Regardez (50/1) and Momentus (66/1), who was third to Honor Bound at Lingfield.
BETTING: 3/1 Marvellous; 7/2 Taghrooda; 7/1 Tarfasha; 9/1 Ihtimal, Madame Chiang, Marsh Daisy; 12/1 Volume; 16/1 Palace; 25/1 Amazing Maria, Honor Bound, Anipa; 40/1 Dazzling, Inchila, Lily Rule; 50/1 Momentous, Regardez; 125/1 Island Remede.
