Eternal Hope burns brightly for Appleby and Buick at Lingfield

Always well placed by William Buick tracking the pace set by stablemate Sunset Point and the 6-5 favourite Be Happy, she was in the perfect spot to strike rounding the turn for home and showed a likeable turn of foot to outgun the Aidan O’Brien-trained market leader in the straight. 

Although Coral introduced the filly into the Oaks market at 16-1, the daughter of Teofilo would need supplementing into the line-up for Epsom’s June 2 showpiece. 

But although her next move will become clearer in time, what is not in doubt is her class and she impressed her rider. 

“She’s a lovely filly who started her career late and can only improve as that was just her third run,” said Buick of the 9-4 scorer.

“She’s not in at Epsom, but I’m sure they’ll have a good think about supplementing her.” 

Alex Merriam, Appleby’s assistant, added: “She picked up well and did it nicely. It would have been lovely to put her on turf, but she’s suited by a sound surface.

“This race looked competitive without being red hot, so let’s see if it stops raining. 

“We will take a look at what the ground is like closer to the time (of the Oaks).”