Features / Timeform / 20 August 2010 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet View Market

Timeform share their Perspective entries on a memorable Yorkshire Oaks...

"A repeat bid in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (over 11f this year) is the most likely backend target for Midday and she obviously has outstanding claims, but she went for the Prix de l'Opera (finished third) at Longchamp before that last year and could well make amends there first, if connections aren't tempted by the Arc."

Sariska's refusal to race dominates the fallout from this year's Yorkshire Oaks and obviously changed the entire shape of the race, though there can be little doubt that this was another high-class effort from Midday, the race also establishing the current class divide between the 3-y-os and the elders, this year's Epsom Oaks winner Snow Fairy (also won Irish version) no match. Barshiba ensured a sound pace, stretching the field out, and, with no trouble, it's a solid result.

MIDDAY added to an already exceptional record, successful at the top level on 4 of her last 6 outings now and producing high-class form on each start this year. Her task was admittedly made easier here by the refusal of her old adversary, Sariska, who had beaten her the 3 times they had met previously, but there was still a dual Oaks-winning 3-y-o to beat in Snow Fairy and she did so with ease, the 3-length margin not near doing her justice, as she again idled (hung left) having cruised through to assert with a sharp turn of foot in the penultimate 1f. A repeat bid in the Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (over 11f this year) is the most likely backend target for Midday and she obviously has outstanding claims, but she went for the Prix de l'Opera (finished third) at Longchamp before that last year and could well make amends there first, if connections aren't tempted by the Arc.

SNOW FAIRY has dominated her own age group this year and, whilst second best on this first try against her elders, it was still an excellent effort against a real top-notcher in Midday, confirming superiority over Meeznah from her 2 classic wins. Snow Fairy will be a big force at the top level for some time to come, starting in the St Leger in a few weeks time, as though she's a strong traveller, she'll stay the longer trip, underlined by the way she chased down Midday having come under firm pressure after 3f out, though Great Voltiguer winner Rewilding will prove a tough nut to crack at Doncaster, setting a high standard.

ELEANORA DUSE has made huge strides already this term, improving considerably again to be placed in a Group 1, but there's more potential the way she's going, relishing this longer trip and shaping as if she'll be suited by even further, keeping on from out the back. The Park Hill Stakes at Doncaster's St Leger meeting looks the obvious target now.

MEEZNAH is short of the best, opportunities likely to come for her at a slightly lower level, her close second to Snow Fairy at Epsom seemingly as good as she is, not discredited here but, equally, no threat.

FLYING CLOUD doesn't have the trip as an excuse for a weak finish this day and clearly isn't in the same form she was earlier in the season, third behind Sariska and Midday in the Middleton Stakes at this track in May.

BARSHIBA is best excused, blips like this a rarity for her these days, not so game as usual once headed, and she should bounce back.

HIBAAYEB probably isn't the most sound physically, not for the first time shaping as if amiss here.

SARISKA comes with serious risks all of a sudden, letting herself down by refusing to race, showing no interest despite Spencer's urgings; she's proven herself a high-class filly time and again, never even hinting at anything like this before, so it will be very disappointing if she goes out on such a low (her half-sister Gull Wing was retired after doing exactly the same in the Park Hill takes in 2008).

Tags: Breeders' Cup, Eleanora Duse, Midday, Sariska, Snow Fairy, St Leger, Yorkshire Oaks