EPSOM DOWNS 16:30

All 12 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +15 yds

Time: 2m 42.06s Closing Sectional: (3.44f): 41.7s (110.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 118%, Betfair SP 101.7%

On paper this was not the strongest of line-ups for the Oaks, and even though the winners of most of the main trials were in the field, a couple of the more impressive - Diamond Rain and Friendly Soul, who admittedly had flopped in the Musidora - were missing, along with the eye-catching Guineas fourth Tamfana, the Guineas fifth Ylang Ylang the form pick and sent off favourite by default as much as anything; the result largely upholds the view that this was a substandard race overall, and plenty failed to fire, but Ezeliya is likely to prove a good winner of the classic, able to hold her own against males later in the campaign, the way she went through the race and put things to bed when asked both very positive signs; the race was truly run, the first 3 all coming from a similar position, in the back third of the field to Tattenham Corner, conditions bringing stamina to the fore.

EZELIYA (FR) showed much improved form, impressing with the way she went through the race and relishing the extra 2f, handling the track well too, not the biggest but with a fantastic pedigree and clearly a filly to be reckoned with at the highest level through the rest of the year, the main question how effective she will be away from softish ground (the Arc, fairly obviously, springs to mind as a race around which to build the rest of her campaign); held up, travelled well, smooth headway entering straight, produced to lead over 2f out, edged left briefly 1f out, kept on well, won readily; likely to progress further and well up to winning more good races.

DANCE SEQUENCE on softer ground than previously, fared much better than she had in the Guineas (form working out well), effective over the much longer trip, even if she wasn't quite so strong in the finish as the winner, her burst from behind that one to threaten her indicative of a filly that can do better again; soon steadied, took keen hold, effort entering straight, switched under 3f out, good progress over 2f out, hung left when ridden well over 1f out, bumped 1f out, left behind by winner late on; she's a smart filly, with plenty about her as a type, and she should continue to run well, while the stable may have an even bigger threat to the winner in the form of Diamond Rain.

WAR CHIMES (FR) proven on soft ground, faced a stiff task on paper and seemed to excel herself over a 2f longer trip, despite looking ill at ease running against the camber; soon steadied, effort entering straight, hung right and looked shade awkward, stayed on; she's quite an imposing type and well worth giving a chance to confirm this effort, surprising as it was.

YOU GOT TO ME confirmed the marked improvement that she'd shown at Lingfield, unable to go with the principals down the hill but sticking to her task, every chance she will stay further still; in touch, headway entering straight, every chance soon after, shaken up 3f out, left behind under 2f out.

CAUGHT U LOOKING (IRE) over an extra 2f, couldn't find the improvement from Navan that the winner did, though she ran well, ridden more prominently than any of those that beat her, likely to pick up more black type at some point this summer; prominent, travelled well, every chance 3f out, shaken up over 2f out, left behind soon after.

YLANG YLANG looked the pick on form and is bred to stay well, but she just wasn't herself, clearly in trouble early in the straight, her challenge never materialising, subsequently revealed to have torn muscles; in rear, shaken up 5f out, laboured headway early in straight, effort flattened out, never on terms; there's nothing wrong with the Guineas form and she should stay this far, so could yet have a bit more to offer if making a full recovery.

FOREST FAIRY (IRE) on softer ground than at Chester, failed to repeat that form, in trouble a fair way out; held up, effort entering straight, not quicken, left behind over 2f out.

MAKING DREAMS (IRE) was below form over 2f longer trip, doing too much in front and having nothing left once she lost the lead; led, went clear before halfway, shaken up straight, headed under 3f out, weakened soon after.

RUBIES ARE RED (IRE) back on softer ground, failed to repeat her effort in the Lingfield trial, not really handling the camber in the straight and lacking a turn of foot; in rear, travelled well, shaken up over 3f out, carried head bit awkwardly, one paced.

SECRET SATIRE was well held, not sure to stay the extra 2f on paper, but giving herself little chance by again being keener than ideal; prominent, not settle fully, settled mid-field halfway, labouring over 3f out, dropped away soon after, not persevered with once held; her win in the Musidora had been boosted by a good effort from the runner-up next time out and she's likely to bounce back, particularly dropped back in trip.

TREASURE on her toes beforehand, was well held, this task a bit too much for her at this stage of her development, racing as prominently as she did not ideal either; handy, pushed along entering straight, lost place soon after.

SEAWARD (IRE) sweating slightly and looking a bit light, went backwards from her return, closer to the pace than ideal but one of the first beaten; tracked pace, ridden over 3f out, weakened soon after.