Noel Meade is contemplating a slight drop in grade for his star filly, Caught U Looking, following her fifth-place finish in the Betfred Oaks.
The three-year-old competed against fellow Irish contender Ezeliya in Friday’s feature race at Epsom but finished nine lengths behind Dermot Weld’s charge.
Jockey Colin Keane kept the Harzand filly on the far rail as she challenged the leaders with three furlongs to go. However, Ezeliya surged ahead of her 11 rivals to secure a three-length victory in the Group One contest.
Their previous encounter in April’s Salsabil Stakes at Navan was much closer. Caught U Looking, despite giving away 3lb to her competitor, finished only two lengths behind Weld’s filly in fourth place.
Meade has decided against a quick return in next week’s Group Three Darley Munster Oaks at Cork. While Caught U Looking has an entry in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot, Meade remains uncertain about her next race.
“She’s come home well. She came out of the race in great shape, and Keane didn’t push her too hard. If he had, she might have finished fourth,” Meade said. “But he didn’t, which is good. Hopefully, we’ll see the benefit of that in time. I was slightly disappointed, to be honest. I expected her to be closer because of her performance at Navan. She ran well there, even giving 3lb to the winner. So, either the winner has improved significantly, or we haven’t. She ran a solid race without standing out.”