Channon's stables are in West Ilsley in Berkshire

West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon says he is hopeful for both of his horses in Friday's Oaks at Epsom.

Zain Al Boldan represents Channon's best hope of success in the Classic, with Four Candles an outsider.

"We're thrilled with the way [Zain Al Boldan] won her trial, we just hope she can step up and run a big race for us tomorrow," Channon told BBC Berkshire.

"She's got a chance but it's a very hot race - we're hopeful for both of them, let's put it that way."

Channon, who is yet to win one of racing's Classics, said the five races are still at the pinnacle of flat racing.

"This is the height of our racing," he said. "It's a big time for flat-racing with the Derby coming up and then Royal Ascot then the whole flat racing takes off really.

"The Classics all retain their importance. If you want to get into the structure of racing, there's probably a lot we could do better, but the Classics are very big."

Although Channon does not have a runner in Saturday's Epsom Derby, he says he would like to see Carlton House win the race.

"I think everybody would love the Queen to win. She's been a racing enthusiast for a long time and loves her horses.

"All the horse people would want her to win you know - unless you've got a runner in it yourself."

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