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'Stronger' Legatissimo set for Oaks

David Wachman is looking forward to seeing Legatissimo test her powers over the mile and a half at Epsom as she bids to become the first 1000 Guineas winner in over a decade to double up in the Investec Oaks on Friday.

The daughter of Danehill Dancer stormed home at Newmarket in early May under a brilliant Ryan Moore ride, a victory which came just a week after a Listed victory over nine and a half furlongs at Gowran Park.

Legatissimo steps back up in distance as she bids to become the first filly since Kazzia in 2002 to complete the Classic double.

"She seems very well, we are happy with her and she has done nothing wrong," said Wachman.

"We always felt the Guineas would be within her compass, but it was going to be the bottom end (trip-wise).

"I always felt a mile would be as short as she would ever go. It will be interesting to see her over the longer trip. S he is definitely stronger now.

"I'm happy with her and we've had no setbacks so far."

Moore will have to navigate a passage from stall one, a starting berth from which no filly has managed to win the Oaks since Salsabil 25 years ago.

Wachman said: " It is what it is and we'll get on with it."

Legatissimo spearheads a formidable Irish assault on this year's renewal, with Aidan O'Brien firing three bullets in his bid for a fifth Oaks victory.

The trainer's son Joseph partners Musidora Stakes runner-up Together Forever, with Seamie Heffernan on board Cheshire Oaks heroine Diamondsandrubies.

Colm O'Donoghue has been booked to ride the O'Brien-trained outsider Qualify.

O'Brien said: "The three fillies in the Oaks are in good form. Hopefully the ground stays good and they expect it to be good as long as the thunderstorms don't come.

"Diamondsandrubies has the form on soft and I don't know if she'll be as effective on faster. It was plenty soft enough at Chester. She travelled well and quickened well then.

"Together Forever ran a lovely race in York and I think Qualify will step up a lot going that trip."

The fifth challenger from across the Irish Sea is Jack Naylor, who made a most encouraging return when fourth in the Irish 1,000 Guineas for Jessica Harrington.

"I've been very happy with her since the Guineas. I haven't done a lot with her, she's just had two nice breezes," said Harrington.

"I thought the Guineas would bring her on and it looks like it has. She was good over a mile, but stepping up in trip should be a help to her.

"You never know with fillies, it just depends how good they are on the day, but we've beaten a couple of the others before and we're looking forward to it."


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