'She gives herself every chance of staying' - Doyle positive on Oaks hope Nashwa

Hollie Doyle believes Cazoo Oaks second favourite Nashwa is growing up fast and is more than hopeful she can see out the trip on her first try at a mile and a half in Friday's Classic.

Nashwa surged into the Oaks reckoning with a power-packed effort in the Haras de Bouquetot Fillies Trial Stakes at Newbury – a path to Epsom glory successfully trodden by Eswarah and Dancing Rain in the last 20 years – and is a general 9-2 chance behind stablemate Emily Upjohn to make Doyle the first woman to ride a UK Classic winner.

"She's a dream ride. She's got a lovely mind, a great attitude and I still think she's not the finished article," said Doyle, who partnered the Imad Al Sagar's homebred daughter of Frankel in her final serious piece of work on Newmarket's Cambridge Road Polytrack on Sunday.

Full racecard for the Epsom Oaks on Friday June 3 (4.30)

"I think there's more to come physically. I sat on her yesterday and she's grown a little bit more. Every time you sit on her she progressed a bit more. I couldn't have been happier with her."

The 25-year-old jockey told assembled journalists on a Great British Racing press call that while both trainers John and Thady Gosden and Al Sagar had always been very keen on Nashwa, she had found her partner's instant response at Newbury a surprise.

Nashwa opened her account under Hollie Doyle at Haydock in AprilCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"I manoeuvred her out between the four and the three, which in hindsight was way too soon," said Doyle, "but I wanted to see what she could do, and when I asked her to quicken, I got an automatic response.

"She's progressed in leaps and bounds. I remember sitting on her up the Limekilns just before [her second start at] Haydock and she galloped very well that day, but she was very immature in her work, probably a bit gassy and revvy. But she still worked the house down and I was fairly confident going into Haydock that she'd win.

"The next time I sat on her was up the Al Bahathri. I followed one and automatically she dropped the bridle very well, so she’s been learning on the job.

Doyle added: "She's a very intelligent filly and she's just maturing all the time. I rode her out yesterday and she was extremely relaxed, to the point where I was surprised how relaxed she was, which is a great sign.

"We've got the stamina question mark next to our name but at least she's going to give herself every chance to get the trip."

Ed Walker is hopeful that Kawida can round off "a massive week" for his team with a big performance in the Oaks, after Dreamloper stormed to success in the Group 1 Prix d'Ispahan on Sunday.

Kawida and Ed Walker return to the Saint-Cloud enclosure after finishing a close-up third in the Prix CleopatreCredit: Racing Post/Scott Burton

Walker and owner-breeder Kirsten Rausing had given serious consideration to sending Kawida to Longchamp as well to contest the Prix Saint-Alary, won in impressive style by Above The Curve.

But it's now all systems go for Epsom, with Walker confident Kawida will build on her comeback third behind Place Du Carrousel, herself the nearest pursuer to Above The Curve in the Saint-Alary.

Speaking in Paris, Walker said: "We did consider coming here but I'm glad we didn't because the ground is quick. I just think the ground on Oaks day will be better because they’ve got the Derby the next day.

Reflecting on the form boost given to Kawida by Place Du Carrousel, Walker said: "Joseph’s filly [Above The Curve] was very impressive and the filly that beat us in the Cleopatre was second. I think my filly has come on a lot for that run but I expect Andre's did too.

"I think she’ll stay a mile and a half. She's relaxed, I think she’ll handle Epsom because she’s neat and well balanced. You never really know till you try."

Kawida will be the mount of Jim Crowley and, having not run in Britain since rounding off her juvenile campaign with victory in the Listed Montrose Stakes at Newmarket, she may be something of a forgotten horse in the eyes of domestic punters, with quotes of 66-1 freely available.

"There are some big old reputations in there but there are always are heading into a Classic," said Walker. "It's very exciting and I think she deserves to be there.

"She's beaten Charlie Appleby's Pretty Polly winner, With The Moonlight, on the two occasions they've met. She's 8-1 and we're much bigger, not that I care about their prices."

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