Talking Horses: Emily Upjohn can prevail in strong Musidora renewal

Just five runners go to post for the Musidora Stakes at York on Wednesday but the field includes two of the first four fillies in the Oaks betting – Emily Upjohn and Life Of Dreams – as well as The Algarve, a potential improver from the Aidan O’Brien stable, which supplied last year’s 14-1 winner, Snowfall.

O’Brien has carried all before him in the Epsom Classic trials over the last 10 days, and while The Algarve has yet to race outside maiden company, the fact she is a daughter of Imagine, the 2001 Oaks winner, will also catch the eye of many punters.

This looks like a strong renewal of the Musidora, however, and the unbeaten fillies Emily Upjohn and Life Of Dreams have as much scope for improvement and stronger form already in the book.

Life Of Dreams, from the Charlie Appleby yard, won a Newbury maiden with ease on debut in mid-April but the clear form horse for Wednesday’s feature event is Emily Upjohn (3.35), who defied a penalty to win by nearly 10 lengths at Sandown last month.

Frankie Dettori suggested that John and Thady Gosden’s filly had the “wow factor” afterwards, and the current joint-favourite for the Oaks – with O’Brien’s Tuesday – could well be the clear market leader by Wednesday evening.

York 1.50: Gaassee arrives with a similar profile to Ilaraab, who landed this competitive handicap for William Haggas on his seasonal debut 12 months ago. The form of his easy five-length defeat of Trevolli at Kempton in December was franked when the runner-up went on to win his next three starts, so a 9lb rise may not be enough to hold him back.

Newton Abbot 2.05: Tulin was below his best last time out in December but has an obvious chance on earlier form and is back after a wind op on a 4lb lower mark.

Newton Abbot: