The Fugue (15-8) showed her credentials for the Investec Oaks with an impressive victory in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York.

The John Gosden-trained filly showed no ill effects from an unlucky fourth in the 1000 Guineas to land this Classic trial in good style.

The odds-on favourite Twirl and complete outsider Aniseed cut out the running and it was the former who gave The Fugue the most to do at the business end of the race. However, she pulled away in the final furlong under William Buick to win by four and a half lengths. Esentepe was third.

Buick said: "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."

Gosden said: "She was back on ground she loved, which made a big difference. She's a lovely filly, she was a bit unlucky in the Guineas. All being well we'll head for Epsom, but I'll leave her in the French Oaks just in case it's soft.

"I didn't like running her here just 10 days after the Guineas, but I wanted to see if she was good enough for Epsom. I always felt she'd stay 10 furlongs and didn't know about the rest, but William says that will be no problem.

"She's got little ballerina feet that sunk at Newmarket so we just hope it's not soft at Epsom.

"If Aidan's horse (Twirl) hadn't run you could have questioned the form, but they really like her and she was heavily backed."



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