Oscula produces late flourish to land win

The George Boughey-trained Oscula, who was well-backed into 10/3 favouritism, appeared to have a mountain to climb as 66/1 outsider Internationalangel skipped clear approaching the final furlong. However, William Buick galvanised his mount and the duo produced a strong late finish to get up on the line and win by a head.

French raider Samahram (11/2) was beaten less than two lengths into third despite not having an ideal passage under Frankie Dettori.

Boughey, who was recording his first winner at the Qatar Goodwood Festival, said: “Oscula is a real flagbearer for Nick Bradley, who is a big supporter of the yard.

“She was a huge part of our team last year. I did have my doubts about whether she would come back this year. To come back and, I’m not sure how many times she’s run already this year, but she’s a real star and just keeps trying.

“I sent a video to Nick and William Buick of Oscula charging around the paddock yesterday evening. She is remarkable and puts her weight back on within 24 hours [of racing]. She is a real star.

“I have her entered in a G3 in France in a couple of weeks but she would have a penalty now. The long-term aim is the Prix de la Foret, as she loves soft ground.”

Buick said: “Oscula is really tough. All credit to George and his team. They sent me a video of her in the paddock yesterday and she was loving life. She takes her racing extremely well and it's great.

“After Ascot, I said she must be the unluckiest horse in training, but she deserved that today. She tries very hard and is a very good filly with it.

Internationalangel’s rider Adam Kirby said: “I thought I had put it to bed, but I just bumped into one on the day. She is a very special filly for the owner [Laurence Holder] and for the yard. She has run with full credit.

“She had a long winter on the All-Weather, but she has had a break and is in very capable hands, so hopefully she keeps on improving.”

Francis-Henri Graffard said of the third: “I thought Samahram would have enough pace to use her good draw [5], but she could not keep her position. When I saw where she was, I thought she needed a lot of luck in running. I knew she had the quality to quicken, but Frankie said he got stopped twice.

“She is a nice filly and that is the most important thing. You come here and want to win. I really like this place and really want to win a race here. We need luck and she will have her day."