HENRY CECIL strengthened his Oaks hand by bagging his sixth win in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York yesterday. He captured his second trial for the fillies' classic within four days when Magnificient Style, partnered by Michael Kinane, romped to a length-and-three-quarter victory in the Group Three race.

Kinane, who completed a double on Dance Parade, was banned for two days (May 23rd and 24th) for using his whip with unreasonable frequency on Humourless, runner-up to Dombey in the Shepherd Handicap. Luckily, he will be back for the Guineas meeting at the Curragh which starts on the 25th.

With Lady Carla hitting the target in last weekend's Lingfield trial and Quota due to undergo her next examination at Newbury on Friday, Cecil has an embarrassment of talent for the Oaks.

But he declined to commit Magnificient Style to the Oaks and left owner Mahmoud Fustok to decide whether to pay the £15,000 supplementary entry fee 10 days before the big race.

Magnificient Style put the disappointment of her Newmarket defeat at the hands of Pricket behind her when making all the running to defeat Sil Sila. Other Oaks, candidates Ruznama and Sea Spray were only fourth and fifth.

But though her Epsom odds are now down to as low as 6 to 1 second favourite with Corals, Cecil stressed she needed cut in the ground to even be considered for the race.

"It's up to Mr Fustok. Epsom would not be the ideal course for her. If there was rain she could probably get away with running but if it was firm she would probably wait for the Ribblesdale or Irish Oaks," he explained.

"At Newmarket the ground was very fast, she got upset coming off the horsebox and couldn't pick up when Pat Eddery asked her. Pricket is very nice, but this filly is better than she ran at Newmarket and would be better over a mile and a half.

Cecil unleashes his main Derby contenders today when both Storm Trooper and Dushyantor take on hot favourite Nash House in the Dante Stakes.