Friday's Investec Oaks, to be run over 12 furlongs (and 10 yards) at the famed Epsom Downs in Surrey, just south of London, England, at 4:00 p.m. local (8:30 p.m. in India) is the first classic of a marvellous weekend of racing for connoisseurs of the sport, with three such events down for decision.

This year's renewal is the first Epsom Oaks to be run since the demise of Sir Henry Cecil on June 11^th, 2013, and it is fitting that the authorities have chosen to describe the event as being "In Memory of Sir Henry Cecil". The master of Warren Place was famous for his deft touch with both stayers and equines of the female sex, so the choice of race is appropriate. While the record books will show that Robert Robson saddled no less than thirteen Oaks winners, those all came about some 200 years ago, and in modern times, Sir Henry Cecil's tally of eight is unparalleled.

As many as 17 three-year-old fillies have stood their ground for the stamina-laden test but – unlike in India – all acceptors do not have to run. Depending on the going, which in turn is subject to the mercurial British weather, runners – even fancied ones – can be withdrawn at the last minute.

At the time of writing, the going is slated to be "good, good-to-soft in places". In that case there would be a proper contest and all 17 may well go. For weeks, Hamdan Al Maktoum's Taghrooda (by Sea The Stars) had been the favourite in the ante-post market, she having achieved that distinction by annexing the 10 furlongs Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket by six lengths. Ordinarily that form, along with her unbeaten record of 2-from-2 would have made her a worthy public choice. However, contrary opinions have been expressed about whether annihilation of relatively untalented rivals by the John Gosden-trained filly amounts to anything, and she has somewhat eased to 10 to 3 against. The trip will not present any danger to retained rider Paul Hanagan's mount.

Although she is by Galileo, and has a turn of foot, some commentators feel Marvellous may just find those last 10 yards a shade too far. However, ratings analysts have her right on top of their lists following her bloodless victory in the Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas for Aidan O'Brien just 12 days ago. That noted publication, Timeform, said: “Marvellous didn’t so much creep into the Oaks picture as bulldoze her way into it. She produced the best performance in the Irish 1000 Guineas for ten years, and that’s a level of form which is good enough to have won each of the last four runnings of the Oaks." As the second string from her yard then, she was ridden to victory by Ryan Moore, currently in irresistible form, but now sees a jockey switch to Joseph O'Brien. You can get 3 to 1 against Marvellous.

Likewise, there is a reverse switch on one of Ballydoyle's other two runners, with Moore set to replace young O'Brien on Palace (by Fastnet Rock), better fancied last time than Marvellous, but now a 14 to 1 chance. The pair will be accompanied by Dazzling (by Galileo), with Seamie Heffernan up, who has a lot to find against her conqueror Tarfasha (by Teofilo) based on their last clash and hence is available at a juicy 33 to 1.

The ground holds the key of whether Tarfasha joins the three Ballydoyle hopes in a raid across the Irish Sea. The Dermot Weld-schooled miss, highly thought of at home (Rosewell House, on the edge of the Curragh), will not be risked on soft or worse. If she participates, usual rider Pat Smullen will take the reins on the Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned runner, who annexed the Blue Wind Stakes at Naas last time out and is a best-priced 7 to 1 here.

Had the trip been shorter, Ihtimal (by Shamardal), also at 7 to 1, would have been a prime candidate for honours. The most experienced runner with nine starts under her belt, she is consistent and has yet to be unplaced. Given that neither her sire, maternal grandsire nor the sire of her second dam ever won over a mile and a half (or equivalent), she is felt in some quarters to be wanting in the required credentials. In her favour though is the fact that Epsom can often be won by a 10-furlongs type that has been "switched off" early. Under somewhat controversial circumstances, regular rider Silvestre De Sousa has been replaced by Kieren Fallon astride the Godolphin filly from Saeed bin Suroor's stables. Incidentally, both riders are well-known in India for their determination and strong finish.

Hughie Morrison's Marsh Daisy (by Pivotal) has made all of her 3 career starts this season, and each has been over 10 furlongs, with her last two efforts seeing her in the winner's circle. Jimmy Fortune has been engaged to partner the Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes victress, on offer at 11 to 1. For most offspring of her sire, the "classic distance" is way too far – it remains to be seen if maternal grandsire Lammtarra has infused adequate stamina.

The Musidora Stakes is a reliable classic trial and this year's winner of that informative event is the unbeaten Madame Chiang (by Archipenko), quoted at 12 to 1. Should she have progressed since then, David Simcock's ward, who races for her owner-breeder, Miss Kirsten Rausing, could well take a hand in the proceedings at the judge's end.

As three-year-olds are improving rapidly at this time of year, it is prudent not to completely exclude up-and-coming runners like Volume (by Mount Nelson), with Richard Hughes up at 16 to 1, Anipa (by Sea The Stars), with Andrea Atzeni aboard at 18 to 1, Honor Bound (by Authorized), with Jim Crowley in the saddle at 20 to 1 and Amazing Maria (by Mastercraftsman), with Frankie Dettori at the controls, also at 20 to 1. All four are coming off victories although the last-named will be gracing a racecourse for the first time this year.

The field is completed by a bunch of outsiders, ranging from 33 to 1 right out to 100 to 1. Should the going remain unaffected by rain, the issue ought to be fought out by the three best-backed runners. If it turns soft, anything can win!