‘No excuses’ for Legacy Link in Epsom defeat, says Gosden John Gosden was making no excuses for Legacy Link after she finished a clear best of the rest behind brilliant winner Thundering On in the Betfred Oaks. The Musidora winner was rated as Britain’s leading hope for Epsom’s fillies’ Classic – but while she proved that theory spot on, she was ultimately no match for Joseph O’Brien’s Irish challenger. A daughter of Dubawi out of a full-sister to the great Frankel, the Gosden runner moved smoothly into contention under Colin Keane and was in front heading inside the final furlong before being outsprinted by Thundering On, with three and three-quarter lengths separating the pair at the line. Gosden said: “The winner came here with a big reputation after her win the other day. She’s a Frankel filly and she’s gone and won it really well. “The two of them were well clear of the rest, our filly has run an absolute blinder and we’re delighted with the run – but she ran into one that was too good for her on this ground on the day. “I think the first two both handled the ground well. There were a lot of disappointments in the race and they didn’t go hard if you look at the fractions. “We always see how they are in the next 10 days and then we start making plans. At this stage we are thrilled with her run here and no excuses. The two fillies have come away from the field well and it’s a smart field, so I think we’ll just see where we are and then make plans.” Keane added: “I’m delighted with our filly. The gaps opened when I needed them to and then I sensed there was something beside me. “She’s just bumped into a class filly today.” Aidan O’Brien saddled three runners in his pursuit of a 12th Oaks success, with his pacesetting outsider Sugar Island emerging best of the trio in third ahead of Cameo in fifth and the 7-4 favourite Amelia Earhart in sixth. As ever the Ballydoyle handler was gracious in defeat and keen to heap praise on his son for saddling the winner. He said: “It’s unbelievable. Joseph was full of his filly and she slowed loads of class and he thought she’d get the trip and would handle the ground. We can’t say how delighted we are for him and Tara (Armstrong, partner) and Dylan (Browne McMonagle) gave her a beautiful ride. “It’s just incredible really, for his owners and everybody. She absolutely cantered with loads of speed and got the trip very well. We really know what it takes to make it happen and we’re so delighted for him. “She (Amelia Earhart) ran a grand race, maybe the lads would have preferred a stronger gallop. Ryan (Moore) just said he got exposed a little bit earlier than he wanted, but she ran a good race.”
