Aviate just out in front in Oaks betting

THE battle for supremacy in tomorrow's Investec Oaks remains ongoing as punters struggle to decipher a tricky renewal of the fillies' Classic.

Henry Cecil has trained eight previous winners of the Group 1 prize and he has two leading contenders in Musidora Stakes heroine Aviate, who heads totesport's market at 9-2, and the much-vaunted Timepiece, who is a 6-1 chance. Sandwiched in between them is Marcus Tregoning's Rumoush at 5-1, while Sajjhaa is another at 6-1 in a fiercely competitive betting heat. Totesport's George Primarolo said: "We've seen a good spread of money on a number of fillies in the Oaks and it's still impossible to say which one will go off favourite on Friday."

Jim Bolger's Akdarena has been cut to 8-1 from 9-1, while Champagnelifestyle has shortened to 20-1 from 25s.

Ralph Beckett saddled Look Here to a shock 33-1 success in 2008 and the trainer has followed the same path with this year's contender, Ceilidh House.

Look Here finished second in the Lingfield Oaks Trial prior to her Epsom triumph and Ceilidh House also arrives on the back of a placed effort in the same race. "Everything has gone to plan since Lingfield and while we could have done with a bit more rain, she's in good shape and ready to go," said the Whitsbury handler.

A total of 15 fillies are due to go to post, with Aidan O'Brien holding a strong hand, with Awe Inspiring, Cabaret and Remember When, the choice of stable jockey Johnny Murtagh, all representing Ballydoyle.

The only two absentees from the five-day stage in Godolphin's Hibaayeb and Lady Lupus.

On the same Epsom card tomorrow, Fame And Glory and Sariska represent last year's Classic form in the Investec Coronation Cup. O'Brien's Fame And Glory beat all bar Sea The Stars in the Derby 12 months ago while Sariska landed the Oaks, seeing off Midday in a thrilling battle. So far this season Fame And Glory has gradually improved, winning the Tattersalls Gold Cup by seven lengths, while Michael Bell's Sariska returned to action with a professional performance in the Middleton Stakes at York. O'Brien also runs the likely pacemaker Dixie Music. Mick Channon's perennial bridesmaid Youmzain is back for more, while Godolphin's Cavalryman, who showed top-class form for Andre Fabre last season, has his first run on these shores for Saeed bin Suroor.

Meanwhile, Epsom trainer Jim Boyle is sending Caprio to Hamilton Park this afternoon – hot on the heels of a visit by the Hamilton Park executive.

Hamilton Park chief executive Vivien Kyles and clerk of the course Hazel Peplinski visited Epsom and Sandown a fortnight ago and are delighted to see the trip paying dividends already.

Peplinki said: "We went on a whistle-stop tour, taking in London, Epsom and Sandown, with Jim's yards one of a number which we visited. It shows that Hamilton Park is very much being proactive in terms of scouting for runners and we hope to see more trainers taking Jim's lead."