Aviate Joins The Oaks Fray After Musidora Win

Henry Cecil’s Aviate this afternoon laid down claims for a ninth Investec Oaks win for her Warren Place trainer following an impressive victory in York’s Musidora Stakes.

William Hill reacted by slashing Aviate’s odds for the middle-distance Fillies’ Classic to 8-1 second-favourite from 20-1, placing her two points behind ante-post favourite Rumoush, and ahead of Lingfield Oaks trial winning Dyna Waltz (10-1).

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: ‘’It is fair to say that this year’s Oaks is one of the most open for years, with the majority of trials failing to throw up a strong candidate. Henry Cecil holds a commanding record in the race – and after today’s performance Aviate is definitely flying the flag for a ninth victory for Warren Place.’’

Cecil has three times completed the Musidora and Oaks double with Diminuendo (’88), and Snow White (’89), and more recently with Reams of Verse in 1997.

In other ante-post news, Prime Defender’s shock win in the Duke of York Stakes has rocketed him to the forefront of the betting for Royal Ascot’s Golden Jubilee. Barry Hill’s charge now rates as a 16-1 (from 100-1) chance for the June dash, with runner-up Showcasing also cut to 8-1 from 12-1, with the three-year-old also trimmed to 10-1 from 14-1 for the King’s Stand Stakes.

Investec Oaks: 6-1 Rumoush, 8-1 Aviate, 10-1 Dyna Waltz, Gile Na Greine, Timepiece, 12-1 Ceilidh House, 16-1 Gertrude Bell, Hibaayeb, 20-1 Cabaret, Hymnsheet, Kithonia, Lillie Langtry, Marie De Medici, Pollenator, Remember When , 25-1 Eldalil, Principal Role, Revered, Sagacious, Termagant, 33-1 Akdarena, Awe Inspiring, Bikini Babe, Blue Maiden, Champagne Lifestyle, Devoted To You, Hudoo, Long Lashes, Mudaaraah, Namaskar, Pink Symphony, Pipette, Wedding March, 40-1 bar (EW 1/4 odds 1,2,3)