Eswarah Poised for Oaks Glory

If there's a third life certainty after death and taxes, it's that ESWARAH will win Friday's Vodafone Oaks at Epsom (4.10).Make no mistake, the Michael Jarvis-trained filly will win, and win well. The confidence emanating from the yard is infectious and the 5-2 offered by Blue Square is, to say the least, very magnanimous. In fact, I'd say that the London-based firm are committing financial hari kiri.Eswarah's dam, Midway Lady, landed the 1,000 Guineas and the Oaks in 1986, so she certainly has it in the blood. But, crucially, the daughter of Unfuwain is a well-balanced sort who looks tailor made for the unique gradients of Epsom, and who possesses the required attributes - class, stamina and a turn of foot - to lift the prize.Unraced at two, the Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned three-year-old created a huge impression when landing a ten-furlong maiden at Newbury in April on good-to-soft going, beating subsequent Cheshire Oaks winner Alumni without being extended. Next stop was the Swettenham Stud Fillies' Trial over that same course and distance the following month. The going was different - good to firm - but the result was equally emphatic. Always travelling well in the leaders' slipstream, she was stalking her rivals like an assassin before taking command two furlongs out and coasting home to win as she liked, looking very good value for the two-length winning margin by which she beat Favourita.There simply is no other horse in Friday's renewal that can match Eswarah, least not in scope. If put on the spot to nominate a rival who could make a real race of it, I'd have to put forward Something Exciting, who lived up to her name when winning the Lupe Stakes at Goodwood last month.In terms of what she actually achieved that day, vast improvement needs to be found ahead of Friday's showdown. Indeed, in beating previous handicap winner Thakafaat, the once-raced Corcoran, and four other decent, but probably not Group-class rivals she certainly did not prove beyond argument that she's a Group One filly. But it would be folly to think that David Elsworth will not coax more out of his charge and she should be in the shake up.Much of the ante-post ifs and buts have surrounded Aidan O'Brien's 1,000 Guineas winning Virginia Waters, who is generally priced up at around the 4-1 mark. Don't get me wrong it would be foolhardy to think that it's beyond the realms of possibility that she will see out the four-furlong farther trip and come down the Epsom hill well. However, I for one believe that she was flattered by the manner of her victory in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket - those in front had gone off too fast, setting the race up for her come-from-behind style - and the excuse offered for her defeat in the Irish version subsequently - apparently the going was too soft - simply doesn't wash.The other Ballydoyle representative, Silk And Scarlet, looks a better proposition, despite the fact that stable jockey Kieren Fallon has sided with Virgina Waters. Ironically, former stable #1 Mick Kinane has been booked to partner Silk And Scarlet, which will be his first mount for the yard since his rather acrimonious departure.The Sadler's Wells filly was far from disgraced when beaten about nine-lengths into fourth behind the brilliant Divine Proportions in the French 1,000 Guineas at Longchamp where she shaped as though this stiffer test of stamina would see her in a better light.Elsewhere, John Dunlop, who last tasted victory in the Oaks with Salsabil in 1990, has a worthy challenger in the shape of Cassydora. She was impressive when beating Seven Magicians in the Lingfield Oaks Trial and looks bound to run a big race, but, like the rest, will be playing for places behind Eswarah.Betting verdict: 3pts win Eswarah @ 9/4 (bluesquare)