Al Agaila edges victory in Winter Oaks thriller

Odds-on favourite takes Lingfield feature.

Al Agaila brought up a hat-trick when shading a thrilling finish to the talkSPORT Winter Oaks Fillies’ Handicap at Lingfield.

The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained filly made a successful step up to 10 furlongs in the Winter Oaks Trial in December and was sent off the 10-11 favourite to land the feature on the Saturday of the track’s Winter Million weekend.

Settled in fourth by James Doyle, the Classic-winning rider was in no rush to make any significant move in the early stages and then began to squeeze his mount forward as the eight-strong field approached the home turn.

Angled wide, the daughter of Lope De Vega soon breezed into a position to strike, but as the runners straightened for the closing stages, Al Agaila was joined by the William Haggas-trained Morgan Fairy and Harry Eustace’s Makinmedoit – with the three fillies soon locked in a titanic battle to the line.

The trio matched strides all the way up the Lingfield home straight, but it was Doyle who conjured up extra from his mount in the shadow of the post to land the GBP 51,540 first prize.

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