close 2nd on inside, led narrowly 10f out until 9f out, pressed leader, led again turning in, ridden and headed over 2f out, no chance with winner, weakened and lost two places over 1f out
wore hood to post, started slowly and lost at least 4 lengths, behind, in touch in rear halfway, headway between horses 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on into modest 3rd over 1f out, finished tired final furlong
led for 2f, soon steadied in close 3rd, smooth headway out wide home turn to lead over 2f out, ridden and clear when hung left briefly approaching final furlong, straightened and stayed on strongly, edged left again towards finish
held up in 5th, pushed along and outpaced over 3f out, headway out wide turning in, soon chasing leaders, wandered and ridden 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
wore hood to post, raced keenly, prominent out wide, led 9f out, headed turning in, weakened 2f out
wore hood to post, pulled hard in close 4th on inside, pushed along and outpaced 3f out, weakened and beaten home turn
Westover put the demons of Epsom behind him when dotting up in the Irish Derby at the Curragh and with Derby winner Desert Crown absent from this contest, he acts as the beacon for the Classic generation. Frankie Dettori has won this race on seven previous occasions so Oaks second Emily Upjohn couldn’t be in better hands this afternoon. That said, the older horses have enjoyed a good record in this race over the last decade and the Gosden’s softly-softly approach with MISHRIFF (NAP) could be repaid in spades having been a valiant runner-up in this contest last term and going close in the Eclipse at Sandown last time. Torquator Tasso was a shock winner of the Arc last season though his form on a faster surface leaves him a bit to find while the going is also a worry for Pyledriver and Broome usually comes up short at the highest level.
Broome (IRE) 6-1 (9-3) Kept out wide early, close 3rd until led 9f out and maintained strong pace, pushed along over 3f out, ridden clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly, impressive, won at Ascot 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gf in Jun beating Mostahdaf (9-3) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Mishriff (IRE) 7-1 (9-9) Wore hood and went to post early, slowly into stride, held up in 5th on inside, not clear run from over 1f out until switched left entering final furlong, stayed on strongly towards finish, went 2nd close home, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, nk behind Vadeni (8-13) at Sandown 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jul.
Pyledriver 2-1fav (9-2) Soon tracking leader, led 9f out, joined and pushed along over 3f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, ridden and no chance with winner over 1f out, kept on for 2nd, 2nd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Hukum (9-2) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Torquator Tasso (GER) 5-4 (9-6) Tracked leaders, headway to lead 2f out, ran on well, easily, won at Hamburg 1m 4f Grp 2 stks (1) gs in Jul beating Northern Ruler (9-6) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Westover 11-8jfav (9-2) Disputed briefly, tracked leaders after 1f, travelled well to challenge 3f out, ridden to lead 2 1/2f out, asserted over 1f out, stretched clear final furlong, impressive, won at Curragh 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun beating Piz Badile (9-2) by 7l, 8 ran.
Emily Upjohn 6-4fav (9-2) Wore hood to post, started very slowly and awkwardly away, well off the pace in last pair, good headway on near side rail tracking leaders going well over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, sustained run inside final furlong, strong challenge close home, just failed, 2nd of 11, shd behind Tuesday (9-2) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 fll (1) gd in Jun.
