Cape Verdi, by Caerleon, is out of a Sagace mare, a stout pedigree if not an ideal one for an Oaks winner.

She won the 1,000 Guineas impressively enough by five lengths from another Aidan O'Brien raider, Shahtoush, with Exlusive taking third for Michael Stoute in front of Clive Brittain's Cloud Castle.

The disappointment of the first fillies' classic was Jibe; she was only eighth for Henry Cecil, more than 12 lengths behind the winner, having been taken off her legs early on.

Now Jibe has since redeemed herself over 10 furlongs in the Newbury fillies' trial and, while this no doubt gilds the Newmarket form, it also points up the difference between a 1,000 Guineas and an Oaks.

Cape Verdi and company ran the first part of the 1,000 in very fast time but finished the race much slower than the colts in the 2,000.

This explains why Jibe, more the staying type, was unable to go the pace early on, and it also demands the question: can cape Verdi, a filly with such early speed, have the stamina to win an Oaks?

My own view is that Midnight Line remains the better Cecil staying prospect than Jibe and will reverse the Musidora form with Bahr over the extra distance at Epsom.

The good galloper will always be vulnerable to the speed horse if Cape Verdi has enough left for that final climb up the Epsom hill to glory. But it could be close.

TERRY CLARK, a former Fleet Street racing editor for many years, now works as a freelance. He has also been involved in racing promotions and for a long time was closely associated with the Grand National which his paper sponsored. Terry, who has helped organise charity racedays on the Flat (Ascot) and over jumps (Wincanton), has just been commissioned to write a book about betting. He was the first to introduce ante-post and morning odds comparison in English newspapers, his first column recommending a 66-1 winner.

You can reach Terry at:

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