Can any of the Aidan O'Brien fillies conquer unbeaten Desert Flower in the Fillies' Mile? Key quotes for Friday's Group 1

Immediately after Lake Victoria's victory in the Cheveley Park Stakes last month, Aidan O'Brien relayed how jockey Ryan Moore had said the filly would be well capable of returning to Newmarket to contest the bet365 Fillies' Mile on her next start.

O'Brien chuckled as he said it, not in derision but in a sense of disbelief. Yet, such is the strength in depth of the fillies under his tutelage this year, the trainer has been able to leave Lake Victoria at home in Ballydoyle and still field three of the seven runners on Friday.

January is the ride of Ryan Moore after her second in the May Hill Stakes to Desert Flower last time out. However, neither Dreamy, an unbeaten Group 3-winning daughter of American Pharoah, nor Ballet Slippers, a winning daughter of six-time Group 1 scorer Magical, look incapable of taking this contest and muscling in alongside Lake Victoria, Bedtime Story, Fairy Godmother and Bubbling as formidable fillies for the future.

"January is in good form since Doncaster and we were very happy with her run," O'Brien said. "Dreamy is a big filly who is going to be better next year. We weren't sure whether we would let her take her chance here but she seems to be in good form and we think the experience will do her good ahead of next year.

"Ballet Slippers is progressing lovely and she was very happy when stepping up to a mile at Ascot. She will come on plenty for her first run in this company but we've been happy with her since."

Desert Flower to blossom for Appleby

Charlie Appleby has never trained the winner of the Fillies' Mile, but then he had not won the May Hill Stakes either before Desert Flower did so last month.

Desert Flower's victory at Doncaster was her third from as many starts and she was well on top of January by the time the fillies hit the line at the end of the Group 2.

For Appleby, there appears to be little to concern him about her prospects, it will merely be a case of whether or not she can deliver for a fourth time this year.

"Desert Flower has done nothing but improve with each of her three starts," he said. "She proved herself over this trip in the May Hill Stakes and I couldn't be happier with her."

What they say

James Savage, assistant to Sir Michael Stoute, trainer of Anna Swan
She's done nothing wrong in winning both of her starts over seven furlongs and there is no reason why the step up to a mile should not bring about further improvement. She's been in good form since at home.

Barry Mahon, racing manager for Juddmonte, owner of Tabiti
She's looked good in her starts to date and the trip wouldn't have been ideal for her last time. As long as the ground stays good then the intention is to run. The question mark is the trip, but on pedigree she should get it.

Read the rest of Friday's previews:

3.00 Newmarket: 'This looks a perfect spot for him' - analysis and key trainer quotes for a tightly knit Challenge Stakes 

3.15 Chepstow: 'He looks to have a favourite's chance' - Fergal O'Brien out to extend fine record in Grade 2 Persian War at Chepstow 

3.50 Chepstow: 'He's been brilliant for the yard' - can 'legend' Francky Du Berlais provide Bowens with more joy in veterans' chase? 

Unbeaten favourite might have Ballydoyle's measure - but 80-1 about this lively outsider is frankly insulting 

The Racing Post is now available to follow on WhatsApp channels! Follow Racing Post Insider on WhatsApp and you can now start receiving messages and alerts for the latest news, tips, insights, live reactions and much more. Click the group link and get Racing Post notifications straight to your phone via WhatsApp.