Charlie Appleby looks to continue winning run in England with Sobetsu, Hawkbill and Frontiersman

Trainer Charlie Appleby. Vince Caligiuri / Getty Images

LONDON // Charlie Appleby will take aim at a Group 1 double at Epsom racecourse on Friday after Sobetsu was declared for the English Oaks and both Hawkbill and Frontiersman were pitched in to the Coronation Cup.

Sobetsu, who won the Prix Saint-Alary for Godolphin at Deauville 17 days ago in impressive style, was surprisingly left among the ten declared for the English Classic that the Dubai-based operation have won three times in all.

The daughter of Dubawi will clash with the Aidan O’Brien trio of Rhododendron — the English 1,000 Guineas runner-up and favourite — Alluringly and Pocketfullofdreams.

Added spice is sprinkled on the 2,400-metre contest with American challenger Daddy Lil Darling, trained by Kenny McPeek, also set to take her chance.

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■ A fine day for the UAE in Deauville as Sobetsu, Muraaqib and Brametot all win

■ Godolphin cash in with two Group victories from Ribchester and Hawkbill

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Appleby’s stable has been firing in winners recently. In the last 14 days he has sent out 28 runners for ten wins and perhaps the form of his stable is one of the reasons why all three horses are required to backup recent performances.

Following the Saint-Alary, Appleby did not envisage the short turnaround to Epsom to be a problem and on Wednesday he even suggested Sobetsu could kick on to the Prix de Diane, the French equivalent on June 18.

“She’s been declared and all the indications are that on Friday it could be perfectly good ground,” Appleby said.

“We know she appreciates a bit of cut and she doesn’t want it too quick, but we wouldn’t want it too testing on her first start over a mile and a half either.

“Good ground over a mile and a half should be fine for her and who’s to say in two weeks’ time for the French Oaks it won’t be quick ground?

“We’d look a bit silly if that was the case and we’d missed the Oaks at Epsom when the ground was suitable.

“I wouldn’t rule out doing the two. With the races over two weeks apart that wouldn’t be beyond the realms of possibility.”

Hawkbill, who like Sobetsu spent the winter in Dubai, is another who relishes rain-softened going and will also be partnered by William Buick after their resurgent victory at Group Three level just 11 days ago.

The beautifully-bred Frontiersman, who won a good handicap off a massive weight a month ago, will be ridden by James Doyle. Godolphin will have a third string in their bid to topple O’Brien’s Highland Reel, Idaho and US Army Ranger, in Saeed Bin Suroor’s Prize Money, who will be ridden by Olivier Peslier.

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