Juddmonte Irish Oaks (Group 1)

Azazat: Second on only start at two last October before gradually progressing this term, having finished third to Savethelastdance in Leopardstown maiden (10 furlongs) before scoring easily over this trip back at that track and then pushing Rosscarbery close in Munster Oaks. That most recent run was a very good effort for a three-year-old on just her fourth ever start, and a unique form line in this race. With further improvement more likely than not and soft ground a positive, she can be a big player.

Be Happy: Debut winner at two but found out at stakes level since, most notably in her only two runs this term - fifth in Saint Cloud Group 3 before finishing second in Oaks Trial at Lingfield. The filly in front and behind her that day, Eternal Hope and Ferrari Queen, were both well held in their respective next races, the Oaks and Ribblesdale, which leaves her with plenty to find now.

Bluestocking: Won her sole start at Salisbury last September and pleasing efforts in defeat on only two starts this term - by just a head to Warm Heart in Newbury listed race before finishing third to the same filly in the Ribblesdale. She was beaten much further by the Ballydoyle inmate at Ascot, but she met with trouble at a crucial stage and may well have got closer in different circumstances. With just three runs on her book, she has plenty of scope to claw the deficit back again today.

Comhra: Impressive for her maiden win at Roscommon but that was her sole juvenile win. Decent efforts in defeat on first two starts at three before running well above anything she had done when third to Tahiyra in Irish Guineas. Struggled to back that effort up when last of nine to Via Sistina in Pretty Polly and step up to a mile and a half now needs to bring about significant improvement.

Library: Decent but not spectacular level at two, with a Tipperary maiden her sole success. Progressive on first three starts this term, notably fourth in Munster Oaks before scoring Naas listed contest back at 10 furlongs. However her limitations may have been found out when only seventh in Group 3 Stanerra Stakes on latest start.

Lumiere Rock: Broke her maiden in the Group 3 Staffordstown in October and although yet to win in three starts this term, she has progressed well from finishing fourth in Salsabil to finishing second to Warm Heart in the Ribblesdale. She may have finished even closer at Ascot with a clearer passage but probably needs her biggest jump forward yet to reverse the form with the Ballydoyle filly.

Savethelastdance: Fifth in Thurles maiden for sole start at two but off the mark straight away with comfortable success in Leopardstown maiden before running out a remarkable 22-length winner on soft ground in Cheshire Oaks. Looked to be beaten fair and square at Epsom on quicker ground, but return to soft ground is a positive now, as for all that her pedigree suggests quick ground should be fine for her, she can clearly deal with underfoot conditions very well.

Warm Heart: Similar profile to stablemate Savethelastdance - beaten on sole start at two but highly progressive this term, having finished second in Leopardstown maiden on seasonal debut, but won all three starts since, a sequence that culminated with strong staying performance to claim the Ribblesdale. She holds Lumiere Rock and Bluestocking strictly on that form, and it seems likely she can improve again so has to have a major chance.

Conclusion

Savethelastdance is an obvious choice to gain compensation and go one better than she did at Ascot, but Soul Sister didn’t set the Oaks form alight when only third in the Grand Prix de Paris, and it might be worth taking a chance on Azazat to improve up to the O’Brien fillies. Dermot Weld’s filly will handle the conditions, is progressive and her form with Rosscarbery, for all that she was receiving lots of weight, is strong in the context of this race.