Racing:The Fugue was catapulted to the head of the betting for the Investec Oaks with an imperious display in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York to beat Aidan O'Brien's fancied Twirl.
John Gosden’s filly was having just her third start having run a respectable fourth in the 1000 Guineas 10 days earlier.
She was struck into on that occasion but thankfully the damage was only superficial, allowing her wound to heal in time for her to gain valuable experience in the recognised Oaks trial.
However, all the pre-race talk was about Twirl, one of a strong contingent of Classic fillies from Ballydoyle this season.
Twirl ended up being sent off the 5-6 favourite allowing The Fugue to start at odds of 15-8 but William Buick was sitting pretty at the two-furlong marker while Joseph O’Brien was already asking his mount to quicken.
When Buick pressed the button, The Fugue stretched four and a half lengths clear and is now 7-2 favourite (from 12-1) with Coral for the Classic. Betfred and Boylesports are biggest at 5s.
“The better ground has made a big difference to her,” said Gosden. “She’s a lovely filly and she was unlucky in the Guineas when she was struck into.
“All being well she’ll run at Epsom now, but she wouldn’t want it soft. In case it is, we’ll also leave her in the French Oaks.
“William was a bit cocky between the one and the two but he felt he had Joseph’s measure.
“I didn’t like bringing her here just 10 days after the Guineas, but I felt we had to find out if she was good enough for Epsom.
“I always felt she would stay 10 furlongs but wasn’t so sure about the rest but William says it won’t be a problem (another two furlongs).
“She’s got little ballerina feet that sunk at Newmarket so we just hope it’s not soft at Epsom.
“If Aidan’s horse hadn’t run you could have questioned the form, but they really like her and she was heavily backed.”
Buick added: “She felt very good. She was a little bit keen early on and she’s still inexperienced, so when horses come around her, she’s a very reactive filly.
“I just tried to get her to settle and she picked up really well, she’s class.
“The Guineas wasn’t a very nice experience for her. She wasn’t unlucky but she came out worst in a barging match and I’m just glad to have her back. At Epsom you need tactical speed and she certainly has that.”