Lancashire Lasses

Saturday's G2 Lancashire Oaks at Haydock lacks an obvious star turn, as it has done in recent times, but it remains a marker of prestige for the winner and the line-up looks as competitive as it is wide-open. One of the most improved mares in Britain so far in 2015 is Chris Van Hoorn's Miss Marjurie (Ire) (Marju {Ire}), who is on a three-timer after smooth wins in the Listed Daisy Warwick S. at Goodwood May 2 and G3 Pinnacle S. over this track and trip four weeks later. On the latter occasion, she had the unlucky Lady Tiana (GB) (Sir Percy {GB}) back in third and it will be interesting to see how they fare with clear runs this time. Miss Marjurie's conditioner, Denis Coakley, is hoping the best horse he has trained can bring his small stable even further into the limelight. “We always knew she was a good filly and she didn't get luck-in-running last year, so we're not surprised by what she's done,” he explained. “She should run as well as she ran at Haydock last time–if that's good enough, we'll have to wait and see.” Lady Tiana's trainer Lucy Wadham is looking forward to the rematch. “I don't think it looks any stronger a race and I think we were very unlucky last time,” she said. “She got no run but was third under a very tender ride and of course we've now had the rain so we go there feeling pretty optimistic. She was pretty fit last time and didn't really have the opportunity to have a race. She's fresh and well and ready to go.” William Haggas trained Wonderstruck (Ire) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) to split that pair in the Pinnacle and puts forward a duo this time in Cheveley Park Stud's Queen of Ice (GB) (Selkirk) and Abdulla Al Mansoori's Arabian Comet (Ire)(Dubawi {Ire}). First and second, respectively, when a nose separated them in the Listed Galtres S. at this distance at York last August, the latter was an eye-catching third after a troubled trip in the Daisy Warwick on her return and has the scope to progress into a leading middle-distance performer this term.