Racing: Sueboog can rest her case for Oaks

IT MAY be a trial, but it is hardly a fair one. The charge against Sueboog is that her elevated position in the Oaks betting owes more to bookmakers' hype than proven ability, but the Musidora Stakes at York this afternoon gives her little chance to defend herself. Anything but a facile success will bring a verdict of case unproven; defeat would leave her condemned, writes Hyperion (Greg Wood).

Such contests can be almost as gruelling for backers who have already dabbled in the ante-post market as for the contestants themselves, but supporters of Clive Brittain's filly should at least get an adjournment. Of the four rivals to Sueboog (3.35), Grove Daffodil is out of her depth, Pamzig is a stone inferior on form and Marillette and Iviza are unlikely to be fit enough first time up.

Sueboog should also act on the Knavesmire's unexpectedly easy going, which is more than can be said for plenty of the card's entries, whose names were put forward during a sunny weekend when fast ground seemed certain. When those unlikely to take to the good-to-soft surface are weeded out of the supporting races, several attractive bets appear.

SWORD MASTER (nap 4.05) was believed to reserve his best form for the all-weather tracks until winning a strongly-run contest at Bath a fortnight ago, and is handicapped to follow up this afternoon.

Persian Brave (4.35), third to Armiger at Chester last week, should frank the form of Henry Cecil's Derby candidate by defying top weight, while Green Dollar (3.00), who was beaten by lack of fitness first time, should have no such problems today.

(Photograph omitted)