Doyle and Marquand Set for Oaks Clash

Eydon 's absence from Saturday's Cazoo Derby (G1) means David Egan won't ride against his father John, who is aboard El Habeeb, but there will be family bragging rights up for grabs in the Cazoo Oaks (G1) June 3 when husband and wife Tom Marquand and Hollie Doyle create Classic history by taking each other on.

On paper, Doyle appears to have the upper hand as her mount Nashwa , who landed a listed race at Newbury recently, is the 4-1 second favorite, but Joseph O'Brien was quick to book Marquand for Naas group 3 winner Tranquil Lady , who is a 14-1 shot.

Doyle, who married Marquand in March, said: "Tom might be my husband but, when we're in a race, it's very competitive—we don't give each other an inch.

"I suppose from the outside looking in it's quite weird and unique, but we're so used to it now, it's not really a big thing.

"There's probably more banter and chat from my side. I think Tom is probably sick of hearing the word Nashwa over the last three or four weeks!"

Marquand, who won the 2020 Pertemps St. Leger (G1) on Galileo Chrome  for O'Brien, added: "We ride against each other pretty much every day and have since we were pony racing, so it doesn't make much difference to me whether it's a group 1 or class 6.

"Hollie has got a good chance and I've got a good chance. I've picked up a good ride and she looked pretty dominant in Ireland when she won last time. 

"She looks like she's going to stay well and Joseph always sends promising ones to England so hopefully she holds one of the big cards, and we had a nice bit of luck together in the St. Leger a couple of years ago."

Upjohn Camp Up for It Without Getting Carried Away

Hot favorite Emily Upjohn  is the only name on punters' lips for the Oaks according to William Hill, which reports more than 50% of bets on the Classic have been on the unbeaten powerhouse.

Those closest to the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (G3) winner do not see it like that and joint-trainer John Gosden feels she has been overhyped, while Jon Shack is full of respect for her rivals.

"Most of them have either won a group or listed race so it's a top-quality affair, but we're hopeful of a good run," said Shack, who owns Emily Upjohn through his company Tactful Finance in partnership with Stuart Roden, a retired friend from the city.

"Hopefully she can show her true potential. We're living the dream so there are no nerves at all and we'll let the filly do the talking."

Shack's love of racing can be traced back to his father Cyril, who was involved with Swiss Maid, Europe's champion 3-year-old filly and champion miler in 1978, and 1981 Prix de Diane de Revlon-French Oaks (G1) winner Madam Gay. 

"This is my biggest runner personally, but Dad had great success and was second twice in the Oaks, so we're hoping to go one better as a family," added the owner who, via Court Pastoral, supplied the late Sir Henry Cecil with his final winner.

"He's getting as much of a kick out of this as me and we're in total shock we can buy something at the sales that was, in relative terms, pretty cheap (60,000 guineas) and compete. Blandford Bloodstock purchased the filly from the 2020 Tattersalls October Yearling Sale for $82,313 from consignor New England Stud.

"She missed the break at Wolverhampton on her debut, ran green and immature, and then the penny dropped and she didn't want to get beat. She's a big, strapping, beautiful filly, showing potential going round those bends at Wolverhampton.

"Sir Henry Cecil used to say the horse doesn't know its price and the fact she's favorite doesn't mean much to us.

"It's difficult to judge the others, but that's what makes racing so exciting—the unpredictability of it."