'She likes a target and didn't get it' - Estrange fights for narrow Lancashire Oaks win to keep Arc hopes intact

It might not have been achieved in the way many were expecting, but Estrange kept her big-race potential intact with a hard-earned success in the bet365 Lancashire Oaks.

The striking near-white filly showed winning ugly was in her repertoire in a tactical running of the Group 2 contest, fighting off the attentions of Scenic to land odds of 2-7 by a neck under Danny Tudhope.

Estrange produced a sparkling performance at this track in the Lester Piggott Fillies' Stakes to enter calculations for the Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, but against three rivals – two of whom were rated massively inferior – she failed to replicate that impression having not got the set-up to suit her closing style.

Trainer David O'Meara said: "Danny said she normally falls asleep in a race but today she was trying to chase a little bit and didn't quite drop the bit. She ended up being in front for a long time, which isn't really how we'd like to play her.

"It was a means to an end. She's four from five now and has won a Group 2, so it's brilliant.

"The drop of rain helped. Although I don't think she's absolutely reliant on heavy ground, we wouldn't really want to be running on quick ground. The Yorkshire Oaks would be the next target. It fits in well timewise."

Despite the victory, the majority of bookmakers pushed out Estrange for the Arc with Ladbrokes and Betfred going 25-1 (from 16) for a race in which owners Cheveley Park Stud could break new ground.

"We've never had a runner in the Arc and it would be fantastic," said the operation's director Richard Thompson. "We haven't really had many over that distance, more milers and sprinters, so it would be something different for us.

Estrange with Danny Tudhope and groom Charlotte Mulhall after the Lancashire OaksCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

"She likes a target usually and we didn't get it and she had to hit the front two furlongs out, which isn't ideal. We knew with the four-runner race that could happen, but she did the job."

Ed Walker was delighted with Scenic on her first start for new owners Wathnan Racing and Glorious Goodwood is likely to be next on the agenda.

"She gave the favourite a hell of a race and for a furlong I thought 'this is on'," he said. "It was a very tactical and tricky race. The winner is a very good filly and credit to David and his team. 

"Scenic is getting better and better and I think she'll head to the Lillie Langtry because the Glorious festival is very important to Wathnan."

Can Estrange win the Arc?

By Matt Rennie, reporter

Some people seemed deflated by Estrange narrowly obliging at long odds-on, but now is not the time to dismiss her Arc chances.

It will require a huge step up on a neck win in a four-runner Group 2 to be competitive in Paris, but I'm not sure the make-up of this race completely suited her. Her previous two hugely impressive wins came when hunting the pace from midfield or the rear.

Connections probably learned plenty given it was only her fifth run and I'm inclined to keep her on side when she steps into Group 1 company next.

Maybe she would prefer to have significant ease in the ground to be at her best, which bodes well given how much of a swamp Longchamp can become in October. 

If Britain's dry spell continues, France could be her playground. I'd be keen for her to go for the Prix Jean Romanet or Prix Vermeille to determine if she's a true Arc contender.

Qatar Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (Longchamp, October 5)

Ladbrokes: 10 Delacroix, 12 Ombudsman, Whirl, 14 Croix Du Nord, Gezora, Minnie Hauk, 16 Aventure, Daryz, Jan Brueghel, Kalpana, Lambourn, Sosie, 20 Danon Decile, Los Angeles, 25 Camille Pissarro, Estrange, New Ground 33 bar

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