The Investec Derby Festival gets underway on Friday, June 1 when the £350,000 Investec Oaks takes centre stage.
A total of 22 fillies remain in the fillies' Classic, which takes place over the same mile and a half course at Epsom Downs as the Investec Derby.
Currently vying for favouritism with William Hill, Official Betting Partner of the 2012 Investec Derby Festival are The Fugue and Maybe.
The Fugue, the 100/30 favourite with William Hill, finished a fine fourth on her seasonal reappearance in the QIPCO 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6, one place behind Maybe, but seemed to relish the step up in trip when an eye-catching winner of the Group Two Tattersalls Musidora Stakes over an extended 10 furlongs at York on May 16. She is trained by John Gosden for owner Lord and Lady Lloyd-Webber.
Maybe, who is the 7/2 second favourite with William Hill, was undefeated as a juvenile, including in the Group One Moyglare Stud Stakes, and is one of six remaining entries for trainer Aidan O'Brien along with Cheshire Oaks runner-up Betterbetterbetter, Devotion, recent Listed scorer Kissed, Musidora Stakes runner-up Twirl and Was.
In addition to holding an excellent chance in the Investec Derby with Bonfire, the Pocahontas Syndicate of Highclere Thoroughbred Racing also has a leading Investec Oaks contender in Vow, who was an impressive winner of the Betfred Oaks Trial at Lingfield on May 12, when she was three and a quarter lengths too strong for Colima. She is trained by William Haggas, successful in the Investec Oaks 12 months ago with Dancing Rain, who was his first runner in the Classic.
Alain de Royer Dupre supplies the one remaining French-trained contender in the shape of the Aga Khan's Dalkala. The Giant's Causeway filly is unbeaten in three outings, most recently recording an impressive victory at Saint-Cloud on May 15.
The six-day confirmation stage for the Investec Oaks is on Saturday, May 26 when there is also a £20,000 supplementary entry stage.
LATEST ODDS FOR THE INVESTEC OAKS FROM WILLIAM HILL, OFFICIAL BETTING PARTNER OF THE 2012 INVESTEC DERBY FESTIVAL
100/30 The Fugue, 7/2 Maybe, 9/2 Kissed, 5/1 Vow, 8/1 Kailani (needs to be supplemented), 14/1 Colima, Twirl, Up, 20/1 Firdaws, Was, 33/1 Betterbetterbetter, Coquet, Hazel Lavery, 40/1 BAR (EW ¼ 1, 2, 3)
