Five key lessons learned from a memorable weekend of spectacular racing

Underestimate O'Brien front-runners at your peril

If there's one thing Aidan O'Brien loves, it's a strong front-runner in a Classic over a mile and a half.

Saturday saw the Ballydoyle maestro utilise Passion and Serpentine to that effect in the Oaks and Derby.

Having been 15 lengths clear, Passion eventually came back to the pack but still managed to finish fifth. Serpentine, as we all know, did not come back and prevailed in the Derby by five and a half lengths.

Serpentine: wins the Investec Derby comfortablyCredit: David Davies (Getty Images)

But it is not the first time we've seen this happen, and it undoubtedly will not be the last. O'Brien used similar tactics in Sovereign's six-length triumph in last year's Irish Derby at the Curragh, another big-priced winner.

With the Irish Oaks coming in two weeks, perhaps it is time to identify who the pacesetter could be on that occasion and consider them your wager. Given the prices of Serpentine and Sovereign, it certainly would not be a punting tactic to be sniffed at.

Ghaiyyath looks the finished article now

He may have been a dual Group 1 winner heading into Sunday's Coral-Eclipse but there was still a niggling doubt about how Ghaiyyath would respond after running some big speed figures on his previous outing in the Coronation Cup.

A big effort at Baden-Baden last year seemed to have left its mark in the Arc but this year's Ghaiyyath looks a more complete athlete and his sustained kick from the three-furlong pole at Sandown was remorseless.

Ghaiyyath strides out to Coral-Eclipse success at SandownCredit: Francesca Altoft/Pool

The way he runs and the effort he puts in might always make him vulnerable off a quick return but given some time between his races and judging on the evidence supplied by trainer Charlie Appleby, this season's Ghaiyyath looks to be one punters can have more faith in and he's going to be hard to peg back over ten furlongs this season.

It is easy to say do not give him as much rope in front, but any horse trying to go with him as early as he kicks in his races will surely fail to finish the race off strongly. The fact Ghaiyyath can maintain it when others cannot is what makes him so exciting and it is also what makes it a tactical nightmare for those taking him on.

Folly to underestimate Mishriff

With the Derby, Oaks and Eclipse all taking centre stage closer to home over the weekend, the Classics in France may have flown slightly under the radar but it is well worth taking time to revisit Mishriff's winning performance in Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club.

His winning return at Listed level at Newmarket had almost looked too good to be true, but he proved it was no fluke at Chantilly and in the process showed how adaptable he is when it comes to tactics.

Mishriff and Ioritz Mendizabal land the Prix du Jockey Club at ChantillyCredit: Scoop Dyga / France Galop

While at Newmarket he applied the pressure over two furlongs out to run out a decisive winner, he had to wait until the final furlong for a gap to appear on Sunday and only then he could launch his run.

However, the response was immediate and the one-and-three-quarter-length winning margin did not flatter him in the slightest, even when taking into account the third and fifth came from a long way back.

The visual impression was backed up on the clock, Mishriff posting a time 1.45 seconds quicker than Fancy Blue achieved in a strong-looking Prix de Diane later on the card.

This was Britain's first win in the French Derby since The Grey Gatsby triumphed in 2014. He went on to beat the Derby winner from Epsom in the same season's Irish Champion Stakes and, on the back of Sunday's performance, it would be folly to think Mishriff is not capable of making his presence felt again at the highest level this season.

Last season's three-year-old stayers are proving their worth

Dashing Willoughby's battling success in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown was another reminder of the talented youth that has been injected into the staying division.

While Stradivarius remains in a league of his own, it is worth remembering Nayef Road was himself eight lengths clear of the chasing pack in the Gold Cup, and he proved that Sagaro win at Newcastle was no fluke.

Stradivarius: won the Ascot Gold Cup easily last month but Nayef Road's performance in second was a real eyecatcherCredit: Edward Whitaker

Dashing Willoughby, seventh in last year's St Leger, has franked that form with two victories of his own this season, and it should be pointed out his biggest rival in the Henry II was Spanish Mission, another four-year-old. That pair were 11 lengths clear of those behind.

All of this points to how special Logician was to win the Doncaster Classic and make it five victories from five. Whenever and wherever he lines up for his first start of the season, he will certainly be a force to be reckoned with.

Coolmore hold all the aces in the Irish Oaks

Having already won five of the seven British and Irish Classics so far, Coolmore look well equipped for the Irish Oaks at the Curragh in two weeks.

Love of course needs no introduction, having trounced her rivals in the Oaks at Epsom by nine lengths, but even behind her came stablemate Ennistymon who proved she stays the trip and who looked to have improved from her Ribblesdale defeat last month.

Love: won the Investec Oaks by nine lengths on SaturdayCredit: Dan Abraham/Getty

The Ger Lyons-trained Even So won the trial at Naas on Saturday for the powerful operation, with Laburnum not far behind, while Fancy Blue could bid for a domestic Oaks for Donnacha O'Brien after winning the French equivalent on Sunday.

Not since Seventh Heaven in 2016 have Coolmore won the Irish Oaks, but after this weekend it is highly likely that winless run will be ending.

Read more:

Ghaiyyath strikes in Eclipse as Enable goes down fighting at Sandown

Serpentine stuns Derby rivals for O'Brien to win a race as strange as the day

'She couldn't have been any more impressive' – Love a class apart in the Oaks

Fancy that! Diane brings Donnacha O'Brien a first Classic as a trainer at 21

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