Epsom: Storming Oaks glory for Joseph O’Brien Racing news

Thundering On came from last to first to land the Betfred Oaks at Epsom in seriously impressive fashion.

Off at 5-1 in the hands of Irish champion jockey Dylan Brown McMonagle, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Thundering On was anchored behind in the opening exchanges, but eyes were drawn to the Frankel filly as rivals began to drop down the famous home straight.

McMonagle was unsteady in the wind with John and Thaddy Gosden’s eventual runners-up Legacy Link at the furlong marker and when the button was pushed he pulled away with a career to a three-and-three-quarter-length success.

O’Brien – who saw the Oaks skip her in her riding days – said: “I think the main question mark was whether she would stay. We thought she was very talented, her dam (Thundering Nights) didn’t last over 10 furlongs but obviously she is a daughter of Frankel.

“We were happy to ride him patiently and save as much energy as we could on the climb and then see what happened straight away.

“He came alive straight away and I mean he won very impressively. I’m looking forward to watching the replay.

“Dylan sat and sat and was very confident. He’s obviously a world-class rider and we’re delighted to have him on our team. I think that’s a testament not only to Dylan, but to the great team we have in our backyard.

“It’s a dream to win a big race like this and it’s brilliant to share it with everyone.

“Her dam Pretty Polly won so she can go to that or the Irish Oaks. The world is her oyster, we’ll enjoy today, hopefully she gets on well and then we can make a plan for the rest of the season.”

A delighted McMonagle, 23, said after his ice-cold ride gave him his first British Classic: “It was effortless from start to finish, he did everything we wanted. He pulled away from them, he’s very, very talented. He was as impressive as any horse you’ll see. He’s very talented and I’m very lucky.

“When you’re traveling so easily, I knew he’d get away from them and he wouldn’t stop in line – he’s all class.

“He’s improving with every run and the sky’s the limit for him, he can go wherever he wants.”

He added: “We were running with a lot of confidence, the trip was going to be a question mark, but he was doing everything very easily. He was improving with every run and there wasn’t really a moment of doubt.

“I sat down last and I knew nothing was coming from behind me and I always covered everything in front. She’s had a lot of classes and great training from Joseph.”

Seagulls XI scores for the Brighton squad

Seagulls’ eleven make a late thrilling finish in the Betfred Diode Stakes.

Hugo Palmer’s four-year-old – owned by a collection of footballers including the recently retired James Milner and his ex-Brighton team-mates Danny Welbeck and Lewis Dunk – has favored an underwhelming track in the past and was back 5-2 favorite ahead of the Group Three event in France just 12 days ago.

Oisin Murphy had excited the Seagulls XI in the early stages on the heels of Boiling Point running forward and scoring a Tottenham corner, but entering the straight he led his mount forward, leading the field towards the stand rail where the telling action would unfold.

Last year’s winner, Persica, appeared on the scene looking to mount a winning challenge under Sean Levy, but the Seagulls eleven did not give up and managed to regain a nose advantage in the final stretch.

Palmer said: “I thought we were over, I must admit. Luckily, he got his head down where it mattered.

“He’s very tough, Oisin is going very well and he says he’s happy to be riding these days after all the difficulties early in his career. Now it’s exciting and he’s having fun.

“I thought Persica was going well but we probably overtook him. Oisin said he could stand 10 furlongs on his head.”

He added: “He ran some big races as a two-year-old and I thought he would run a big race in the Guineas, but it was too much for him.

“I think what we’ve learned is that a smaller field suits him. With that in mind, we could go for the Sussex Stakes, but that will be the hottest smaller field of the season. Races like the Celebration Mile at Goodwood and the Summer Mile at Ascot will be on his agenda.”

Hickory Lad is a Woodcoat wonder for Philip Makin

Philip Makin can look forward to planning a big run for Hickory Lad when his star teenager leads his rivals in a delightful dance in the Oddschecker British EBF Woodcote Stakes.

Second on his Thirsk debut before landing narrow odds on his second start at Musselburgh, he was last seen finishing best of the rest behind the speedy Adonius in the Lily Agnes Condition Stakes at Chester.

The James Garfield colt was a 100-30 shot to step up to six furlongs first and saw no challenger after being sent in front in the straight by Sam James, with Alpe d’Huez three-quarters of a length second and Ralstop a short head behind in third.

Makin said: “He’s never looked any upset, really. Obviously, being over six, we were wondering if he’d come home, but it seems like he’ll get better as he goes on.

“I don’t know if the trip improved that much, he ran very well at Chester from a tricky draw. He certainly didn’t mind the trip.”

Although the Yorkshire trainer will promote Hickory Lad to a higher level later this summer, he is uncertain about an appearance at Royal Ascot.

“I don’t know about Ascot. We actually came here instead. Obviously, the situation at Windsor Castle has changed so I don’t know,” he added.

“I was surprised how well he won, but it was a nice surprise. Sam just said he’s got guts. He’s got a great attitude and he’s very easy to train.”

Naana’s Shadow made the long trip from the Scottish Borders worthwhile with easy success in the Win With Zyn 3YO “Dash” Handicap.

Trained at Galashiels by Katie Scott after changing hands for 20,000 Guineas late last year, the Havana Gray filly opened her account to her new connections at Cattery in April before finishing third in a strong race at York last month.

He was 7-2 favorite for the Oaks Day opener and dominated from the off under Oisin Murphy, while Col Margot stitched up the win late on to reach the line by three-quarters of a length.

Scott said: “We had a horse a few years ago that was fifth in it, so when this filly won Cattery my head girl said she was the same type so we should bash her again. To win here today is massive for a yard like ours.

“We’ve only got 21 horses but we’re full on. It means we don’t have much chance to show what we can do, but we’ve got a couple of fast fillies between him and Figjam who are running at Musselburgh on Saturday.

“For a small team we are producing above what we should be and I think the target for him in the summer will now be some kind of black.”

He added: “I ran the London Marathon for Racing Welfare but I’m not as fast as Nana’s shadow!”