Murtagh magic seals Oaks triumph

After a week-long saga over their intended Derby rides, it was finally down to the action at Epsom as Johnny Murtagh's supreme effort on Dancing Rain forced Kieren Fallon and Wonder Of Wonders to settle for second in the Investec Oaks.

Even as the Classic was under way, an outcome was being awaited from the High Court, where owner Ibrahim Araci was appealing against the decision to allow Fallon to ride Aidan O'Brien's Recital in the Derby today - having allegedly broken a "promise" to partner his colt Native Khan. Araci is using Murtagh as a substitute and his exhibition of front-running on Dancing Rain made it one-nil to the Irishman over his compatriot, who could not find the three-quarters of a length he needed. Another irony to the increasingly complicated tale was that Murtagh is in his first season since leaving his position with O'Brien, who is also the handler of Wonder Of Wonders.

Dancing Rain improved an already enviable record for trainer William Haggas, who won the Derby 15 years ago with his one and only runner Shaamit, and this was the first time one of his fillies had contested the other Epsom Classic. Always one to err on the side of caution, Haggas and the owners, London corporate lawyers and brothers Lee and Martin Taylor, felt she could make her presence felt despite offering a record of one win in a Newbury maiden from three starts.

Murtagh's involvement was the deciding factor as he assumed his role from the start to provide a sluggish pace but he had the guile to make an early kick for glory three furlongs from home. Dancing Rain, sent off at 20-1, took it from there and absorbed everything Wonder Of Wonders threw at her while Izzi Top, who beat the winner in a Listed race at Newbury last time, was four lengths further back. Blue Bunting, the 1000 Guineas winner and 9-4 favourite took fourth place with Frankie Dettori banned for ten days, including two days of Royal Ascot, for failing to ride out for third.

Earlier, St Nicholas Abbey showed he remains a force to be reckoned with in top-level middle-distance contests with a gritty display in the Investec Coronation Cup. Aidan O'Brien's even-money favourite travelled strongly for much of the contest, but looked at the mercy of Midday when she quickened to the lead three furlongs out under Tom Queally. But the complexion of the race changed dramatically in the closing stages as St Nicholas Abbey's stamina began to kick in and under a strong drive from Ryan Moore, he managed to pick up Midday and score by a length.