EPSOM DOWNS 16:30

All 11 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +14 yds

Time: 2m 37.41s Closing Sectional: (2f): 24s (108.3%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 120%, Betfair SP 102%

This looked a fairly strong Oaks field, headed by 1000 Guineas winner Legatissimo and also featuring the winners of most of the key trials, so the depth of competition was there for it to be another above-average renewal after Taghrooda's impressive win 12 months ago; it didn't turn out that way, however, a few of them not seen to best effect in what was ultimately a rough race, and it produced a shock 50/1-winner in Qualify, the outsider of the whole field, and if anything the form on the day is slightly below the historical standards for an Oaks; the pace on the initial uphill climb from the stalls was steady and, although they quickened on the approach to Tattenham Corner, it was a race that placed some emphasis on speed, plenty still in with a chance passing the 2f pole, and it would have been a much tighter finish but for some serious trouble that occured over 1f out when space was at a premium.

QUALIFY (IRE) caused a shock, seemingly one of the more exposed in the field, down the field in both the English and Irish 1000 Guineas, but she's bred for stamina, by Fastnet Rock - whose progeny tend to stay much better than he did himself - and out of a mare who was second in a soft-ground Park Hill at Doncaster over 14.6f, and stepping up 4f in trip triggered significant improvement, relishing it more than any of the field; patiently ridden, it wasn't until they hit the 2f pole that she began to make headway, under pressure to do so, but she quickly made up several positions as those to her inner barged into one another, soon giving chase to Legatissimo and finding plenty to get up right on the post; she was helped by getting a smooth run through in what was a rough race for many but that's not to say that there was any fluke about this performance and another big run can be expected in next month's Irish Oaks, a more truly-run race likely to suit her even better, whilst she'll probably stay further than 1½m should connections want to explore that with her later on; it was a fifth Oaks winner for trainer Aidan O'Brien, incidentally, whilst jockey Colm O'Donoghue was landing his first British classic.

LEGATISSIMO (IRE) was narrowly denied a famous Guineas-Oaks double but it was another massive effort over the 3f longer trip than she'd gone before, underlining her versatility, admittedly pegged back by a stronger stayer in the end, but it wasn't plain sailing for Legatissimo at a couple of stages of the race and for that she could be given a little extra credit on the day; stall 1 over this C&D is a tough place to start from and, although in touch after 2f, she was shuffled back up the inner towards the end of the back straight as others cut across, and on the home turn she was travelling powerfully but had only 4 behind, needing to make rapid progress over 2f out, switched wide to do so, and after barging her way into the lead over 1f out she was soon clear, looking to have the race in the bag briefly but closed down and collared on the post; she's a class act and seems certain to win more Group 1s, with lots of different options open to her between 1m and 1½m, her trainer suggesting afterwards that a drop in trip was most likely and she does hold an entry for the Pretty Polly Stakes over 1¼m at the end of this month.

LADY OF DUBAI backed up her promising comeback win 15 days earlier with a cracking effort to be placed in Group 1 company, confirming herself a smart, improving filly, staying the 2f longer trip for all that she was seen off after challenging briefly; she was drawn 11 and caught a little wide in mid-field, not covering too much extra ground though, and at least she avoided the trouble over 1f out, holding every chance at that point but one paced as the first 2 got away from her inside the last; she's really coming to herself now and may improve again through the summer.

DIAMONDSANDRUBIES (IRE) proved very easy to back throughout the day, presumably because of doubts over the strength of her Chester form, but comes out of the race with her reputation firmly enhanced, running creditably even on the bare facts but shaping much better than the bare result; from a plum draw in stall 5 she raced prominently and went with enthusiasm, just shaken up when short of room over 2f out, then approaching the final 1f she was keeping on and held every chance when badly hampered, baulked by stablemate Together Forever, losing all momentum and many lengths, but the way she picked up again was promising, hitting the line strong and with more in the tank; it's hard to be confident exactly where she'd have finished had all things been equal but deserves at least as much credit as the third, probably more in fact, and remains with potential, obvious that this trip suited, more so than she was able to show as it turned out, and she's one to be interested in for the Irish Oaks.

JAZZI TOP wasn't quite up to the task but gave a good account against much better fillies than those she'd beaten in a weakish listed event at Newmarket last month, seeing out the extra 2f too; slowly into stride, took keen hold, headway over 2f out, slightly short of room over 1f out, unable to quicken with the principals but kept on; she's a well-bred filly who is going the right way and remains with some potential for all that she may not be quite Group 1 class right now.

JACK NAYLOR caught the eye when finishing well in the Irish 1000 Guineas but didn't get home over this 4f longer trip; close up, pushed along 3f out, wandered under 2f out, edged left and bumped into Together Forever, weakened final 1f, the test seeming too much; she's well worth a try at 1¼m.

TOGETHER FOREVER (IRE) shaped as if still in good form and would have been closer but for being caught in the trouble over 1f out, partly her own doing though as she became unbalanced on the track; close up, driven 2f out, wandered soon after, baulked and didn't recover.

AL NAAMAH (IRE) is worth another chance, this too stiff a task, and she didn't seem at ease on the track either, edging left into the rail before weakening from a prominent position under 3f out, not unduly punished; she should stay 1½m, a full sister to Oaks winner Was.

STAR OF SEVILLE shaped much better than the distance beaten suggests, making the running until over 1f out, and soon after being headed she was cannonned into and badly hampered, heavily eased off; she was beginning to fade at the time and it may be that she proves best at around 1¼m.

CRYSTAL ZVEZDA looked one of the most exciting prospects in the field, so impressive at Newbury on her return, and that's still the race/performance to judge her on, pulling far too hard for the first half mile or so here, even after Hughes restrained her towards the rear, and she was beaten early in the straight and eased off; she's still got some maturing to do on this evidence but is from a family that have tended to progress well and her career is still just 4 starts in.

BELLAJEU faced a stiff task but is better and more promising than she showed on the day, not 100%, struggling entering the straight and always behind; she should be suited by this trip and may yet do better with her sights lowered again.