Treasure is looking for Oaks glory for the King and Queen

Treasure has been declared for the Betfred Oaks, so fans attending the Friday race meeting at Epsom could expect to witness a royal runner's attempt at Classic gold.

The last horse to carry the royal colours and win a British Classic was Dunfermline in 1977, the year of the Silver Jubilee when he won both the Oaks and the St Leger at Doncaster.

The current King and Queen had an amazing first Flat season last year, with Desert Hero winning at Royal Ascot and finishing third in the St Leger. The late Queen landed five Classics in total, with Carrrozza her first Oaks heroine in 1957.

Treasure, a homebred daughter of Mastercraftsman, placed fourth behind stablemate You Got To Me in the Lingfield Oaks Trial on her comeback three weeks ago after winning on her racing debut at Nottingham in the autumn.

Originally, trainer Ralph Beckett planned to save Treasure for the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. However, he later had a change of heart, and she will now race alongside You Got To Me, Forest Fairy, and Seaward, the first and third from the Cheshire Oaks, to provide Beckett with a formidable quartet as he attempts to win the race for the third time.

“We had been thinking Treasure was more a filly for Royal Ascot this time last week, but with the way the ground is now at Epsom, we decided to have a go at the Oaks as the ground should be in her favour,” said the Kimpton Downs handler. “I have been very pleased with her progress since her reappearance at Lingfield. The King and Queen are such enthusiastic owners and it is great to be training such a nice filly for them who is running in a Classic.”