SIMILAR to the Chester Vase, the early lead in the Cheshire Oaks was hotly contested as Ryan Moore once again asked his mount to lead. However, the pace steadied soon, allowing Thoughts Of June to produce her faster closing sectional which she needed to hold the challenge of Above The Curve (110) who finished strongly from off the pace.

Joseph O’Brien’s filly was too strong for the winner at Leopardstown in April and looked likely to be so again as Shane Crosse brought her through with what looked a smooth challenge, posting a closing sectional of 38.54secs in the process.

However, the daughter of American Pharoah hung in behind the leader early in the straight which would leave me with reservations regarding her handling Epsom.

Looking to the future, I would also take the view the pair will be evenly matched as Aidan O’Brien’s filly has certainly stepped forward from Leopardstown, while a more conventional track will also better suit the giant Above The Curve.

The run of Typewriter (104) is also worth inspection as she was held in by Above The Curve at a crucial stage before coming home a clear third best.

Andrew Balding’s filly can win a less competitive event.

STAR Of India (112) was the next Ballydoyle colt to put his classic credentials to the test in the Dee Stakes on Thursday and, although he achieved the time figure in a different manner, the son of Galileo was the equal of Changingoftheguard on the clock.

Ryan Moore was again busy from the stalls, although on this occasion the manoeuvre was to make sure he secured an early position behind Mr McCann and Dubai Poet rather than being shuffled back as the field crossed to the rail.

The closing sectionals were the foundation of the performance as the partnership covered the ground from the three-furlong marker in 37.36secs to be well on top at the finish.

To provide the context, a comparison can be drawn with Hamish (116) whose marginally faster time figure comprised a concluding sectional of 37.16secs and handicap winner Pride Of America (101+) who covered the same ground in 40.14secs despite posting the same overall time as Star Of India.

Given how the race developed, the performance of Sonny Liston (104+) can be upgraded as he was both inconvenienced by his draw and then caught on heels as Harrow faded. In the circumstances, his closing sectional of 37.53secs was good and Charlie Hills’ colt is just the type to note when dropped into a heritage handicap at some point in the season.

The Lingfield Derby Trial produced the winner of the Epsom classic last season and in 2019, so it would therefore be dangerous to dismiss the chances of United Nations (109) as he was as impressive as his stable companions in terms of overall time, while not being so convincing in the sectional department.

The case for considering the performance as on a par with Derby standard is the overall time being two seconds faster than the Oaks trial won by Rogue Millennium (94) and by far the quickest race when adjusted for distance on the round track. The case for the prosecution would draw reference to the winner’s closing sectional of 35.25secs being comparable with the 35.16secs and 35.29secs clocked respectively by handicap winners Ravens Ark (86) and Victory Star (74).

BEFORE Desert Crown’s Dante win (assessed here next week), Ballydoyle looked to have a strong hold on the Epsom showpiece although I will be keeping my powder dry until the variables such as the ground and draw are revealed.

If forced to name a danger to the favourites, Piz Badile would top the list. His beating of Buckaroo makes very good reading, both from a form perspective and on the clock.

The supporting cast performances of note at Leopardstown last Sunday included another potential Oaks candidate in History (105+).

The daughter of Galileo was an impressive winner of the Group 3 Cornelscourt Stakes when accounting for the ultra-consistent Agartha (104) who, as usual, ran up to her best. Aidan O’Brien nominated the Irish 1000 Guineas in a fortnight as her next target before a possible tilt at Epsom.

I would also highlight the maiden won by Fumata (94+) as a good time with Jessica Harrington’s colt running out a convincing winner.

I am reluctant to give up on Waterville (92+) just yet as his closing sectional of 37.27secs was 0.81secs faster than the winner and reads well when compared to the other winners on the card.

Solid Stone (118) posted the fastest time on the Roodee over the three days when winning the Group 2 Huxley Stakes.

I would also highlight the race won by Red Mirage (104) as worthy of closer inspection and recommend a tracker entry for Baryshnikov (100+) when he returns to Chester as he made it three wins from four visits when winning the Deepbridge Handicap over an extended 10 furlongs.

Tanmawwy (95+), Windsor, 2nd May – successful on handicap debut and can defy rise in the ratings

Breege (91+), Wetherby, 3rd May – looks a Royal Ascot filly based on impressive racecourse debut

Tarrabb (83+), Chelmsford, 5th May – impressed with the fastest closing sectionals on the card

Noble Style (103+), Ascot, 7th May – an impressive first juvenile runner, and winner, of the season for Charlie Appleby