made all and dictated pace, quickened over 3f out, pushed clear over 1f out, ran on strongly
raced on outer in touch, pushed along from halfway, edged left and weakened 2f out
held up in rear, effort on wide outside 3f out, soon edged left under pressure and struggling
in touch, hard driven 3f out, hung left and weakened quickly final 2f
tracked leaders, pushed along 3f out, chased winner just inside final 2f, stayed on but no chance with winner
took keen hold and settled in 4th, hard ridden 2f out, stayed on to take 3rd 1f out, no impression
chased winner to just inside final 2f, weakened over 1f out
in touch, not much room and hampered 6f out, outpaced 3f out, hung left from 2f out, kept on final furlong
Gonfilia looks the one to beat here, with Glen Innes and the unexposed Tizdubai rating as her main dangers. Much as the bare form of her Listed win at Goodwood last time has holes in it, the Saeed Bin Suroor-trained filly won a shade comfortably on that occasion and, importantly - given the unique nature of Epsom - proved that she is a well-balanced filly. She goes unpenalised in this race and should again put up a bold show against a field which, overall, lacks strength in depth. Glen Innes's second to Punctilious in the Musidora Stakes last time was a good effort, one that could have received a boost by now in the Oaks, while Tizdubai is unbeaten in two American starts, including at Grade 2 level, and the inclusion of this sister to the dual Breeders' Cup winner Tiznow in the line-up adds a lot of intrigue to it. However, stable jockey Frankie Dettori has opted to ride Gonfilia. Of the others, the well-bred Blue Oasis has a lot to do stepping up from a Thirsk maiden win, while Top Romance and Snow Goose were both well beaten in the Nell Gwyn Stakes on their latest outings. Of the latter pair, we prefer Top Romance as Snow Goose has grown very little from her two-year-old days. Overall, Gonfilia's chance is a clear-cut one and she gets the vote.
