John Gosden and William Buick have teamed up to land a classic in each of the past two seasons and The Fugue is fancied to extend that sequence by landing the Investec Oaks (4.05) at Epsom today.
Owned by Lord Lloyd-Webber, The Fugue made a highly promising reappearance when fourth in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month, despite the trip and softish ground being against her.
She showed her true worth under more suitable conditions in the Musidora Stakes at York last time, travelling best throughout and showing a smart turn of foot to quicken away from Twirl with the minimum of fuss.
Bred to be even better now that her stamina is more fully tested, The Fugue rates good value at the 3-1 offered by Ladbrokes.
Maybe, the long-time ante-post favourite, finished just ahead of The Fugue at Newmarket, but she is much less likely to appreciate this half-mile longer trip. Three unbeaten fillies, Vow, Kailani and Kissed, represent greater threats.
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Vow is improving with experience and had plenty in hand when beating Colima on the all-weather in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield Park. Given that William Haggas, her trainer, has won with both of his previous Epsom classic runners — Shaamit and Dancing Rain — she has to be respected.
Kailani won a listed race by seven lengths on her return at Newmarket and will go well if coping with the faster surface, while the same is applicable to Kissed, who is a half-sister to Pour Moi, the Derby winner last year.
The Gosden-Buick combination have excellent claims of initiating a double through Gatewood in the Investec Wealth & Investment Handicap (2.15). This colt made light of a ten-month absence to win in good style at York last month, moving smoothly through the race and winning with plenty in hand despite still looking a little green once striking the front. Open to plenty of improvement after only four starts, he can shrug off a 5lb rise in the weights.
The opening Princess Elizabeth Stakes (1.40) can go to Lay Time. She put up easily her best effort on her final start last season, powering clear in the closing stages to win a listed race at Sandown Park. A repeat of that effort will probably suffice and there should be more to come from her after just five starts.
Dance And Dance can spring a minor surprise in the Investec Diomed Stakes (2.50). He comfortably landed a valuable handicap on Derby day last season and showed himself more than capable of being competitive in pattern company when an unlucky second to Side Glance at Salisbury in August.
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His come-from-behind style of running means that he will always be a hostage to fortune — he would have gone close to winning in grade one company at Woodbine, in Canada, in September with a clear run — but that will hopefully not be an issue in this small field.
Dance And Dance was unsuited by conditions on both starts in Dubai and, back at a track that suits him well, can bounce back to form to thwart Worthadd.
Boogie Shoes made a promising return to action when second to Arabian Star at Newmarket and can go one better in the Investec Mile Handicap (3.25). He has had just three starts over this trip, recording two wins and a second, and can make the most of his favourable draw towards the inside.