Sariska wins Oaks

Sariska just held Midday in a tremendous finish to the Investec Oaks at Epsom this afternoon, although Jamie Spencer picked up a five day suspension for careless riding on the well-backed 9/4 winner that rules him out of the last two days of Royal Ascot.

The daughter of Pivotal was giving trainer Michael Bell, as well as Spencer, their first success in the fillies' Classic, although they had to suffer a lengthy stewards' inquiry before the placings were confirmed. Leading early in the straight, the favourite had to withstand a strong challenge by Henry Cecil's Midday and won by a head.

High Heeled (33-1) was two and a half lengths away third, with Rainbow View fourth. Perfect Truth made much of the running followed by Wadaat, Phillipina and Oh Goodness Me.

Sariska soon made her bid at Tattenham Corner, while there was some scrimmaging in the straight with the fading Perfect Truth, ridden by Johnny Murtagh being the main sufferer.

Midday and High Heeled both looked dangerous in the closing stages but Sariska stuck on well to narrowly land the spoils, denying Cecil a ninth Oaks success.

Successful in the 2005 Derby with Motivator, Bell said: "I think there are only a few licensed trainers to have won the Derby and Oaks, and it is great to join that club.

"She has the physical attributes, the temperament and natural gears so she ticks all of the boxes. She is the most gorgeous looking horse.

"She's always shown us huge potential at home and ever since the day she started working I thought she was a star. She fulfilled all my expectations and we're so thrilled to have her.

"To bag the Oaks is an amazing feeling. It's a lonely place out in front, especially for a filly so inexperienced, but the post came in time. She has got a nasty cut on one of her back legs, and while it may not need stitching it could bruise and flare up so it is not set in stone where we go.

"It is easy planning for a good filly like her, and the Irish Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks are two immediate possibilities. She's not in the Arc but may be entered now, or we could run on same weekend in the Opera.

"My feeling at this stage is that she is not a Leger horse, and has got the speed to be competitive in high-class 10-furlong races."

Spencer added: "She's done it well, travelled well and they went a good gallop. I ended up in front a bit too early as she idled a bit in front, but these days are very special." bit in front, but these days are very special."