Taghrooda dazzles in Oaks

Paul Hanagan received rich praise from those associated with Taghrooda as he showed the assurance to match the athleticism of the filly beneath him to secure a first Classic winner in the Investec Oaks at Epsom yesterday.

Epsom is a treacherous course to navigate and the modest dual champion jockey overcame one sticky moment before sweeping right away and leading home Tarfasha in a one-two for Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, who has retained Hanagan to ride in his familiar blue and white colours for the last two seasons.

Taghrooda was proving why market confidence has no guaranteed bearing on success, as she had been available at less than half her starting price of 5-1 after landing the Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket a month ago, but the form had not worked out well.