FAVOURITE backers are in for a bonanza if, as expected, the 15-8 market leader, Punctilious, prevails in this afternoon's Vodafone Oaks at Epsom.

The Group 1 Fillies Classic, worth £350,000, has attracted a paltry line-up of just seven runners, the smallest field since Pretty Polly won in 1904.

"It would have been nice to have at least eight runners for each-way betting purposes, and a field of 12 would have been ideal," admitted Clerk of the Course, Andrew Cooper

Punctillious (4.10) staked a serious claim for the mile-and-a-half showpiece when destroying her rivals with a scintillating six-length success in the Musidora Stakes at York's May meeting.

Frankie Dettori was clearly impressed by his partner's performance on the Knavesmire and subsequently opted to stick with her, rather than ride Godolphin's second-string, Sundrop.

Sundrop finished a close-up second to Attraction in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket. Considering Attraction has followed up with an authoritative triumph in the Irish equivalent, Saeed Bin Suroor's No 2, ridden by Aussie ace Kerrin McEvoy, represents a major threat and for wagering purposes a small "saver" on Sundrop is recommended.

With the stalls handlers threatening to withdraw their services for the five-furlong Temple Stakes, the race could well turn into a total farce.

The token tip for the race is track specialist, Bishops Court (1.45), although given such unusual circumstances the best bet might well be to maintain a watching brief, rather than have a financial interest.

In the £250,000 Coronation Cup, Mark Johnston holds an extremely strong hand courtesy of Scott's View and Systematic (3.30).

Preference is marginally for the gutsy Systematic, who showed courage beyond the call of duty to out-slog The Whistling Teal at Chester last time out.

Karl Burke's fast-improving filly, Imperialistic (4.50), deserves to take her chance in the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes.

The Spigot Lodge-trained three-year-old is highly rated by Karl, a man not prone to over-hype when it comes to assessing the merits of his own horses.

Winner finding looks tough at Thirsk where potentially the best money making opportunity lies with Caribbean Blue (5.10) in Division Two of the Ellery Hill Maiden Stakes.

Get more on racing at our Racing North site.