EPSOM DOWNS 16:30 6t5t3k

All 9 ran. Race Distance Adjustment: +19 yds

Time: 2m 42.66s Closing Sectional: (3.44f): 42.35s (108.9%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 117%, Betfair SP 103.2%

The smallest field for the Oaks since Ouija Board beat 6 rivals in 2004, but it contained a filly that had already shown form more than good enough to win an average running in Minding and she scored convincingly, despite meeting considerable trouble in a barging match rounding Tattenham Corner, though she won without having to quite match her Guineas form, the opposition more about potential than achievement, with the best of the trials winners, So Mi Dar, an absentee through injury, most taking part coming up well short in a race run at a rather more searching gallop than ideal under testing conditions, the pace set suggesting connections had no doubt about Minding's stamina, her success yet another classic for the pre-eminent sire of the era, Galileo.

MINDING (IRE) held outstanding form claims and overcame considerable difficulties in running to run out an impressive winner, relishing the 4f longer trip and adding a second British classic to her already considerable tally; held up, travelled well, badly hampered Tattenham Corner, quickened impressively through field over 2f out, led over 1f out, stayed on strongly, well on top finish; she's tough, versatile, most willing and likely to be a match for the colts later in the summer, with options seemingly endless, up to and including the Arc in the autumn.

ARCHITECTURE (IRE) acquited herself with great credit, the one filly to make the sizeable step necessary to pose a threat to Minding, in the end no match, but well clear of the remainder, seeing the trip out well and promising a rewarding summer in pattern company; held up, travelled well, good progress Tattenham Corner, led after 3f out, ridden soon after, headed over 1f out, kept on well, no impression on winner.

HARLEQUEEN ran respectably over 2f longer trip, despite not looking at home on the track, though she left the impression the searching test of stamina was all too much for her in the end; in rear, not settle fully, headway when hung left Tattenham Corner, chased leaders 2f out, no extra final 1f.

SOMEHOW (IRE) had won on heavy ground and looked potentially one of the stoutest stayers on paper, but she was given little chance to show to advantage under an overly aggresive ride, very different in manner to the way in which she was ridden at Chester; led until after 3f out, labouring soon after; well worth another chance, especially at a slightly less exalted level.

SKIFFLE had come a long way in a short time but, having been switched here after the Ribblesdale had been the original plan after Goodwood, she was well held over 2f longer trip, this all too much for her less than a month after her debut, worked up early on in the preliminaries and giving her rider little assistance through the first two-thirds of the race; held up, not settle fully, rapid progress to press leader approaching Tattenham Corner, shaken up 3f out, found little; she remains with potential, though this experience could take time to get over.

SEVENTH HEAVEN (IRE) had narrowly beaten the runner-up in a very slowly-run race for the Lingfield Trial but it was that filly rather than her that coped much better with this very different test, despite a pedigree and physique that promised a fair bit more, still remaining with potential back on less testing ground; chased leaders, weakened Tattenham Corner.

TURRET ROCKS (IRE) was on softer ground than previously, and that rather than the 4f longer trip is the likely reason she ran so poorly, having been withdrawn due to the soft ground from the Irish One Thousand Guineas since her run at Newmarket; tracked pace, ridden before Tattenham Corner, lost place soon after, eased; should stay beyond 1m.

AUSTRALIAN QUEEN over 2f longer trip, was again out of her depth and in trouble a long way out; chased leader, labouring 5f out.

DIAMONDS POUR MOI ran as if amiss; waited with, off the bridle long way out, pulled up after losing action halfway, dismounted.