At this rate it is not just the grandstand that will be reduced to rubble. The year of Epsom's refurbishment is also the year when the prestige of its classics is being challenged as never before. To New Approach, Casual Conquest and Chinese White can now be added Lush Lashes, who is likely to sidestep the Oaks for the Irish equivalent.

Ireland's gain is thus Epsom's loss, especially after Lush Lashes laid waste to a talented field in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York yesterday. In normal circumstances her five-length triumph from Cape Amber and Dar Re Mi would have had connections counting the days to Epsom. But then, circumstances are never normal when they concern Jim Bolger.

The Irish trainer's decision to bypass the Derby with New Approach seems ever more curious when set against the apparent paucity of the opposition. New Approach would have started favourite, a position to which Lush Lashes was quickly advanced for the Oaks after this demolition. Yet the bookmakers' ink had not even dried on their slips before word came from Bolger that she was unlikely to run.

While Bolger has never been easy to read, his ambivalence with two well-fancied horses sends a curious message to fans of the sport. Granted, this was the third race in six weeks for Lush Lashes, two of them requiring her to fly out of Ireland. She has had an arduous spring, and in fairness, Bolger has not totally shut the door on Epsom.

Against that, Bolger is not known for leaving his horses idle. Finsceal Beo had three races in as many weeks when she pursued a classic hat-trick last season. Whatever his thinking, it does not help Epsom's cause that Britain's trainers have been unable to respond to Ireland's early-season onslaught.

There was even an Anglo-Irish flare-up in the Musidora, when Johnny Murtagh, riding Ballydoyle's Moonstone, caused Jimmy Fortune aboard Dar Re Mi some anxious moments on the sweeping turn for home. Murtagh leant heavily on Fortune, in the process causing Dar Re Mi to lose her action.

“They were four and a half furlongs from the finish and I felt Johnny's actions were unnecessary at that stage,” John Gosden, who trains Dar Re Mi, said. “It was not funny and it led to our filly getting cuts on her legs. I am not angry, just unamused, but full marks to the winner, who was way the best.”

The ease of Lush Lashes's triumph prompted Gosden to say of Dar Re Mi: “Assuming she is OK, she will run at Epsom if Lush Lashes doesn't. Otherwise we will head for Royal Ascot.” Cape Amber, for her part, ran with credit for one whose preparation has been far from smooth. She, at least, is an intended Oaks runner.

Twelve months ago Folk Opera had desgins on the Oaks, only to damage an ankle in the Lingfield Trial. She had not seen the racecourse since, but she warmed Godolphin hearts - and got them off the mark for the season - when battling home in the opening handicap under Frankie Dettori.

Aidan O'Brien has contrived some minor miracles for his patrons, yet even he must be daunted at trying to get the best from US Ranger. The former French-trained colt arrived at Ballydoyle with a big reputation that he has singularly failed to amplify.

US Ranger was never travelling in the Duke of York Hearthstead Homes Stakes, won in a driving finish by Assertive from War Artist. The latter, a recent import from South Africa, is shaping nicely ahead of what will be the most cosmopolitan renewal of the Golden Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.