Raihana takes Oaks honours

The four-year-old was a brilliant winner on her track debut in January but could only finish fourth when favourite for the Guineas two weeks ago.

Sent off at 11-4 to atone in the hands of Christophe Soumillon, Raihana went in pursuit of Mark Johnston's Bikini Babe and Kieren Fallon in the straight and gradually wore her down to take the Listed prize. Godolphin's Guineas winner Siyaadah failed to make an impact.

"We planned to be handy in the Guineas but we didn't think they'd go that quick and once Christophe had committed we couldn't go anywhere," said de Kock. "Today was a completely different kettle of fish and this was the Raihana we know."

Raihana's success was the second leg of a treble on the card for de Kock as he had earlier struck with Mr Brock in the Meydan Horizons Handicap. Sent off at 10-11 having finished fourth in a Group Three last week, Kevin Shea's mount hit the front at the top of the straight and powered clear for a decisive success.

The De Kock treble was brought up by Lucky Find, who stayed on strongly for Shea to take the concluding Imax Cup.

Godolphin enjoyed a double with former Breeders' Cup winner Midshipman taking the Meydan Metropolis Conditions Race under Frankie Dettori, and Antinori (3-1) taking the Meydan Hotel Handicap in the hands of Ahmed Ajtebi. Dettori was out of luck with Aspectoflove in the Group Three Balanchine as Olivier Peslier denied him in the shadow of the post on Deem.

Meanwhile, future chaser The Minack did himself no harm at all by stealing the freebets.co.uk Sidney Banks Memorial Novices' Hurdle at Huntingdon.

Paul Nicholls' strapping gelding produced some giant leaps en route and had drawn alongside Sarando at the final flight with Nick Scholfield ready to make his challenge. Sarando was not fluent at the last and The Minack was in front, repelling his rival by a length. Henderson's 8-13 favourite Master Of The Hall was a leaden-footed third.

Nicholls' representative Harry Fry said: "He really is a good jumper, that has won it for him. He's next year's novice chaser and I think we'll just look after him this season."