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Crystal Zvezda bids to give Sir Michael Stoute a third victory in the Investec Oaks - and a first since Unite in 1987 - at Epsom on Friday.

The daughter of Dubawi was a hugely impressive winner of a Listed event at Newbury last month in the hands of Ryan Moore but will now be partnered by Richard Hughes, with Moore on his 1000 Guineas heroine Legatissimo.

"She took a long time to come to herself this spring and then suddenly a week before her Newbury race she showed a real spark so we were confident she would run a big race," said Stoute.

"We have always liked her a lot - she is very talented."

John Gosden won his first Oaks with Taghrooda 12 months ago and this year saddles two major contenders in Pretty Polly winner Jazzi Top and Musidora scorer Star Of Seville.

The latter bids to give owner-breeder Lady Bamford a second Oaks victory following Sariska's triumph in 2009.

The owner's racing manager Hugo Lascelles said: "We were very pleased first time out this year at Newbury and then she went to York. It was a small field, she had to do it all herself and was having a look around at the end.

"Sariska was a brilliant filly and won the Musidora with some authority, whereas Star Of Seville won narrowly and was getting weight from the runner-up.

"I thought it was a very satisfactory performance but whether it is good enough to win an Oaks, only time will tell."

Frankie Dettori had the choice of the Gosden pair and went for Jazzi Top, whose sister Izzi Top was third in the 2011 Oaks.

Mark Weinfeld, for owners Meon Valley Stud, said: "To have another contender for the Investec Oaks is a great position to be in.

"I think Jazzi Top and Izzi Top are fairly similar types, excepting that Izzi Top liked some cut in the ground, whereas Jazzi seems happy on all surfaces.

"I am very excited ahead of Friday but not at all confident!

"We don't really know how good Jazzi Top is, but she won an Oaks trial so is entitled to take her chance. Even the best filly on the day needs luck in running in what can be a tough-and-rough race."

Ralph Beckett knows what it takes to win the Oaks, having landed the prize with Look Here (2008) and Talent (2013), and this year saddles outsider Bellajeu, runner-up in the Lingfield Oaks Trial.

Beckett said: "Bellajeu has been training well since Lingfield and I am happy with her condition and how she is looking. I wouldn't say we are tilting at windmills but she is still a maiden and we are coming off only a placed effort in the Lingfield Trial.

"Having said that, I think she is still coming forward and it's worth a shot."

An Oaks triumph has so far eluded dual Derby-winning trainer Luca Cumani, but the Newmarket-based Italian has genuine hopes of getting off the mark with impressive Goodwood scorer Lady Of Dubai.

"She couldn't have done it any easier and on a tricky course like Goodwood bodes well for her ability to handle Epsom," Cumani told At The Races.

"She's a beautifully-bred filly, a very well-balanced filly, and she's entitled to take her place in a year in which the Classic is quite open."

Andre Fabre's French contender Al Naamah enjoyed a spin on the Downs at last week's Breakfast With The Stars morning, just as the trainer's Pour Moi did before his victory in the Derby four years ago.

"The experience of bringing over Pour Moi before his Derby victory was so good that we decided to repeat it," said Fabre.

"Coming to Epsom beforehand is a great addition to the training. This course is very peculiar and horses need to see the bend and the downhill - so different to regular courses. It makes a big difference for the jockey, as well.

"Al Naamah is a fantastic-looking filly with a great pedigree. She is a potential Group One filly, but is still big and backward, but I think she is ready for the Oaks."