The Musidora is a key trial for the Epsom Oaks, Snowfall won this race 12-months ago before going on to win at Epsom and a case can certainly be made for all 5 of the runners in this year’s race having some sort of chance. The market is dominated by Emily Upjohn, who is the current favourite for the Oaks after 2 impressive wins in Novice races at Wolverhampton and Sandown. She is a worthy favourite for this race too on that evidence, but this is a marked hike in grade, and she will need to improve to get the better of 4 talented rivals. Given the record of the Gosden yard at York, she may easily prove the best Filly in the field, but there is no doubt that she had the run of that race at Sandown and the 2nd was beaten soundly at Ascot next time, so she isn’t unbeatable.Any of these fillies could prove to be above average, but at the prices CHING SHIH makes some appeal. She won on her 2nd start at Newbury in October on soft ground. Although that form is some way below this level, she won with any amount in hand and was good value for her 4-length success and the switch to better ground should bring out further improvement based on her breeding. At a double figure price, she represents some solid each-way value and probably only has 7lbs to find to feature here. Her dam, Madame Chiang won this race in 2014 before also winning the Fillies and Mares race at Ascot on Champions Day in the same season, so there is every reason to believe that she has trained on as a 3-year-old.
