SHORTLY after crossing the line 22 lengths in front of his toiling rivals, Ryan Moore announced that Savethelastdance is as good, if not better, than his previous five winners of the Cheshire Oaks. That suggests the Galileo filly is going to take some beating at Epsom.

Wonder Of Wonders won on the Roodeye before failing by three-parts of a length behind Dancing Rain in the Oaks in 2011, while subsequent Group 1 winner Magic Wand won the same prize five years ago. Despite such accolades, one can’t help thinking last week’s performance was too good to be true.

There is no mistaking the Ballydoyle filly has come a long way in a short time. Sent off 17/2 for her debut at Thurles last autumn when she was the stable’s second string, Savethelastdance was beaten almost 10 lengths. She then belied odds of 20/1 on her return to action at Leopardstown early last month with the betting implying she was the third string.

A two and a quarter lengths winner under Wayne Lordan, the form has received a boost since with the second (sixth in a Group 1 last weekend) and third scoring handsomely in similar events. The yard’s sole representative in the listed event last week, she ploughed through the mud demolishing her seven opponents in a manner rarely seen in a classic trial. Heavy rain ensured conditions worsened with the ground officially described as soft.

There is little doubt that the 76-rated front running Wintercrack went too quick before fading with less than half a mile to run – Pam Sly’s filly finished last almost 50 lengths behind Savethelastdance. completing the last two furlongs in 16.95 and 17.21 seconds respectively compared to the winner’s 13.06 and 12.61.

The prominently ridden Sisyphus Strength was in trouble before the home turn and was eventually pulled up, having reportedly lost her action, and the 100-rated Sirona was on the retreat by the time she entered the home straight.

The fact There’s The Door ran on into second, having missed the break and never in contention, suggests those in behind either didn’t handle the ground or aren’t of pattern race standard.

Plus, Ryan Moore’s mount, who was slowly away herself, was being pushed along between the four and the three markers before her stamina came to play.

All three of Savethelastdance’s public appearances have either been on soft or heavy ground and, while connections remain adamant she will be even better on a sounder terrain – and her pedigree backs that up with her dam winning the American Oaks on firm going six years ago – that is something she has to prove.

The market suggests the Galileo filly will be Aidan O’Brien’s 11th winner of the Epsom Oaks next month, but it may not be quite as simple as it seems.