'I don't think she's ever trained better' - George Boughey on his Oaks runner-up

2.40 Haydock
bet365 Lancashire Oaks (Group 2) | 1m4f | 3yo+ | ITV/RTV

Manuela De Vega entered this race last year as the standout formsetter and duly crossed the line in front to reward favourite backers. A year on and it could be very much the same story with Alpinista.

The Sir Mark Prescott-trained four-year-old, a daughter of Frankel, came to prominence in this division last year with a five-length runner-up effort behind Love in the Yorkshire Oaks. She proved that to be no fluke when she filled the same berth in Group 3 company next time.

She looked big and burly ahead of her seasonal reappearance at Goodwood but proved her class by outbattling the reopposing Makawee in the Listed Daisy Warwick Stakes under Luke Morris, who retains the ride. It's hard to imagine that David O'Meara-trained foe reversing that form.

Questions were asked as to why Alpinista bypassed a number of races last month after initially being declared, but a dirty scope was given as the excuse and providing she has overcome that, she will prove tough to beat given her mark of 113.

Only one three-year-old (Great Heavens, 2012) has won this race since 2006. The Classic generation are strongly represented by Cazoo Oaks runner-up Mystery Angel, who has to prove her stamina, fifth-home Dubai Fountain and the unexposed Lady Hayes.

Dubai Fountain's Cheshire Oaks victory received a boost when runner-up Zeyaadah recently scored on the all-weather and a return to that level of form makes her a player with a 12lb weight-for-age allowance.

The drought for five-year-old winners is slightly shorter courtesy of the Jeff Smith-owned Barshiba's 2009 romp. His blue and purple silks will be carried here by Tribal Craft, who was readily fended off by the aforementioned Makawee and Cabaletta in a couple of races last year but has produced two career-best performances so far this term and remains on the up.

The same can be said for La Lune, who is seeking a hat-trick after victories at Nottingham and over this course and distance in the Group 3 Pinnacle Stakes. She may be the value play against the favourite in the field.
Race analysis by Tom Collins

What they say

Sir Mark Prescott, trainer of Alpinista
She wouldn't want it very soft but on the ratings she has a nice cushion over the others but she may well need it. She missed a couple of engagements with dirty scopes but she's fine again now and is a useful filly.

Peter Chapple-Hyam, trainer of Bharani Star
We don't want too much rain for her as that would make it a real test of stamina and this trip would be her outer limit stamina-wise. She won well at Ayr last time and has been in good form at home since.

Roger Varian, trainer of Cabaletta and Lady Hayes
Cabaletta has run well the last twice. She is in good shape at home and looks sure to run her usual solid race. Hopefully she can pick up some more black type. We had considered taking Lady Hayes to a race in the US but she's only rated 95 so we've opted to stay closer to home. She's in great form and hopefully can get involved.

Henry Candy, trainer of La Lune
She's in very happy form and working nicely. It's a big step up in grade for her, but hopefully she'll be able to get herself in the first four and I'm happy with the way she is.

Charlie Johnston, assistant to Mark, trainer of Dubai Fountain
She disappointed in the Oaks but took a step back in the right direction at Ascot last time. They've all got a little bit to find with Alpinista on official ratings but her best form would see her right there.

George Boughey, trainer of Mystery Angel
She's done very well since the Oaks and I don't think she's ever trained better. There doesn't look to be a huge amount of pace in the race and it might just suit her – she's a big, galloping filly who clearly stayed the mile and a half well in the Oaks in tricky ground and I think it looks the right spot for her.
Reporting by David Milnes

Saturday's big-race previews:

The Saturday Jury: 'He has a very good chance' – jockey Sean Levey on his weekend prospects (Members' Club)

1.50 Sandown: is Arecibo a good thing? Graeme Rodway on what the Ascot sectionals tell us

2.05 Haydock: Dhushan seeking a hat-trick for William Haggas in red-hot three-year-old handicap

2.25 Sandown: Tom Collins on Montatham's chances as he returns to a familar hunting ground

3.15 Haydock: Graeme Rodway on why we could be seeing a different kind of Sir Mark Prescott plot

3.35 Sandown: big-name trainers on their Group 1 contenders in the Coral-Eclipse this Saturday

3.35 Sandown: why this Eclipse could show us a champion – just not the one you might think (Members' Club)

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