Murtagh and Haggas are Dancing in the Rain!

The William Haggas-trained Dancing Rain may have been unconsidered by many people ahead of the Investec Oaks, for which she started at odds of 20-1, but she benefitted from a brilliant front-running ride from jockey Johnny Murtagh to land the mile-and-a-half fillies’ Classic.

Three weeks ago Haggas’s wife, Maureen, who had been riding her in her exercise each morning, suffered a broken leg when kicked by Dancing Rain after they had an accident during starting stalls training.

There were no such problems today, however, as Murtagh sent his filly into the lead from the outset and had enough in reserve to keep the runner-up, Wonder Of Wonders, at bay inside the final furlong.

They passed the post three-quarters of a length in front, with four lengths back to the third, Izzi Top.

Frankie Dettori, partnering the QIPCO 1000 Guineas winner, Blue Bunting, should have finished third, having stayed on late after looking ill at ease with both the track and the slow early pace.

But Frankie eased up near the line and was pipped for third place, a lapse which has cost him a 10 day suspension, ruling him out of the last two days of Royal Ascot (17-18 June) and the whole of the following week.

After the race, a delighted Johnny Murtagh said: "She set a nice pace but she was ducking and diving forever so I knew that there was loads left in the tank.

“I thought that if we got to the six-furlong pole, she could maintain a good gallop down the last six (furlongs) and it would take something to pick her up in the last half-mile.

“It worked really well for her and she is a lovely big, powerful filly.

“I think that she broke Maureen’s leg with a kick but I am sure that she’s forgiven now!”

To hear Johnny Murtagh’s full post-race interview courtesy of Racing UK Radio, CLICK HERE.

To hear William Haggas’s post-race interview courtesy of Racing UK Radio, CLICK HERE.

To view the full race result, CLICK HERE.