Epsom Oaks date set for Dubai Fountain after triumph at Chester

Dubai Fountain has Epsom in her sights after claiming victory in the Weatherbys ePassport Cheshire Oaks at Chester.

Bookies have cut both Dubai Fountain and the runner-up Zeyaadah to 14-1 from 20-1 for the Cazoo Oaks at Epsom on June 4, with the brilliant Enable the last horse to win both races in 2017.

In the Cheshire Oaks, the 13/8 favourite Dubai Fountain made a successful comeback in the hands of racecourse specialist Franny Norton, who after tracking the pacesetting Quenelle D'Or for much of the contest, committed for home before the home turn.

That decision from the veteran Liverpudlian may well have proved crucial, as the previously unbeaten Zeyaadah was briefly caught in a pocket before the gap came early in the home straight, by which time Dubai Fountain was in full flight.

Zeyaadah made inroads late on, but the Johnston runner had enough in the tank to keep her at bay by a length.

Trainer Mark Johnston said: "Franny said it was very stop-start and he was happy to get a lead, but the pace was on and off which didn't really suit.

"He was having to wake her up and then steady her again, so he could never get her into a nice rhythm - he felt it wasn't her best performance, but it was good enough for me, I was happy with that.

"It will be straight to Epsom now, we were saying throughout last year we thought she was an Oaks filly rather than a Guineas filly.

"She obviously failed to win a Group race last year, but she ran some great races. We've been thinking about the Oaks for a long time.

"She was beaten just a length by the Guineas winner (Mother Earth) over a mile last year, when we always felt she'd be better over further.

"I don't think the key to her chance was going up in trip, she's good enough, otherwise you'd be saying that about every horse who ran in a trial. She's been running at that level (Group One) there's no reason to think she's not good enough.

"We'll just have to hope there's not one better!"