´Overwhelmed´ Cecil Looking Forward

If Henry Cecil did not realise how popular he was before the 2007 renewal of the Vodafone Oaks, he certainly did afterwards as the Epsom faithful roared him into the winner´s enclosure.

The years since Love Divine´s win in this race back in 2000 have not been the best for the Warren Place maestro, but his ancestral Group One flag was back flying in Newmarket last night after Light Shift powered to success under Ted Durcan.

Cecil was also responsible for beaten 9-4 favourite Passage Of Time, who could finish only eighth, but 13-2 chance Light Shift proved a magnificent ´second string´ as she gave him an eighth win in the Oaks and a 24th British Classic success in total.

She travelled like a dream and made smooth headway to sit on the heels of the leaders soon after thundering round Tattenham corner.

After leading before the two-furlong pole, the Niarchos family-owned daughter of Kingmambo kicked for home.

Aidan O´Brien´s Peeping Fawn, third in the Irish 1000 Guineas, gave determined chase but was half a length adrift at the line.

O´Brien´s All My Loving ? who was gambled down to 5-1 ? was four lengths adrift in third.

Cecil was clearly overcome, but also looking to the future, as he said: 'It is lovely to be back, but it is quite a funny feeling after a few years. I really appreciate all the kindness and support that I have got from everybody.

'It is very satisfying to come back and win a race like this. I have enjoyed it and it gives me every incentive to go on and win it again.

'I have always trained horses from owner-breeders but a lot of them died and if it wasn´t for Prince Khalid Abdullah and the Niarchos family I probably wouldn´t be here now.

'The reception I got was quite overwhelming really.

'I came here very relaxed as I was sure both fillies were better than they had ever been and my job was done. I was just worried I might put on the wrong saddle.

'It was only when the crowd started to get behind me that I started to get nervous and I was hoping that I didn´t let them down.

'I knew there was not much between my two fillies and I never favoured Passage Of Time over the other as I thought they both had a great chance and would be in the first three.'

Cecil added of his jockey: 'This is marvellous for Ted.

'He´s been a great friend to me. He rides all of the horses at home and if I was ever to have a stable jockey (again) it would be him.'

Peeping Fawn´s run was justification for O´Brien´s decision to send her to Epsom just five days after taking third in the Irish 1000 Guineas.

Her rider Martin Dwyer said: 'It was a very rough race. I tried to sit behind the favourite (Passage Of Time). I just failed but I´m pleased for Ted and Henry Cecil.

'I used all my petrol to get there from a bad position and she battled bravely.'

There was a further blow for Dwyer as he picked up a one-day ban (June 12) for careless riding.

Joint-owner Richard Henry was delighted with the performance of All My Loving and said: 'The winner is smart and at least we are Classic-placed now.

'She´ll probably run in the Irish Oaks, but Aidan will decide that.'

(C) PA Sport