Talent surges to Oaks glory

Talent led home a one-two for trainer Ralph Beckett in the Investec Oaks at Epsom.

Partnered by Richard Hughes, the winner was sent off a 20-1 shot, with better-fancied stablemate Secret Gesture a 3-1 chance.

Talent proved those odds to be all wrong as she came with a wet sail to win by three and three-quarter lengths, with The Lark back in third and 5-2 favourite Moth fourth.

Talent appeared to break a touch slowly for Hughes and was towards the back of the field throughout the early stages, while Jim Crowley kicked for home two furlongs out aboard he stablemate.

However, Hughes was just starting to hit top gear on Talent, who looked a little uncomfortable on the course and did not get the best of passages when switched wide to launch her challenge down the middle of the track.

She poked her head in front inside the distance and galloped away for an impressive success, while Secret Gesture kept on to repel The Lark by three-quarters of a length.

Hughes, who finally broke his domestic Classic duck aboard Sky Lantern in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month, said: "It's like buses, isn't it?

"I rode her work during the week and, to be honest, I wasn't impressed. I came home and said she's skinnier than me.

"Tom Queally (on Madame Defarge) was extremely good to me coming down the hill as I edged him out. I just said to him turning for home, 'Can you believe how well I'm going?'. I'd say on better ground she'll be better."

Beckett, saddling his second Oaks winner following Look Here in 2008, added: "Richard came to ride her work and I knew by the look on his face he thought, 'I don't fancy this much'. I wasn't watching her until she loomed up on the outside - she's very tough. What a day."