BY LEWIS PORTEOUS
AMBIVALENT, the only Group 1 winner in the field, made her class tell as she made every yard a winning one to land a competitive renewal of the Middleton Stakes from Secret Gesture.
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Full result
Last year's Pretty Polly Stakes winner was her usual fractious self before the off but her resolve on the track can't be questioned as she bounded into an early lead.
Despite settling well under Andrea Atzeni, she looked a sitting duck as her rivals moved into contention in the home straight and she was joined by last year's Oaks runner-up Secret Gesture with over a furlong to run.
Spotting that rival, the hooded Ambivalent showed her hunger for victory and, despite wandering under pressure, put her head down and forged clear to land a fifth career victory and second at Group level.
"She's a very tough filly," said Atzeni, who partnered the winner to finish third in the Dubai Sheema Classic at 50-1 in March.
He added: "She gets a bit wound up before the race but she's done it all her life and it doesn't affect her. I got quite an easy lead and she kept finding all the way to the line."
Winning trainer Roger Varian added: "She's a real personality but she's as tough as nails. She can act up pre-race but you can't detract from her performance. We learnt in Dubai that she took comfort by being with a pony and we used one to lead her across the track from the stables today."
Looking to the future, Varian added: "She's entered in everything and we'll probably look to step her back to Group 1 company. She's travelled to Ireland, Turkey and Dubai and we'll look at an international campaign come the autumn."
The Karl Burke-trained Odeliz was back in third, with favourite Thistle Bird finishing sixth on her seasonal reappearance.
BY LEWIS PORTEOUS
Betfred Dante Stakes (Group 2) 1m2f 3yo
DERBY favourite Australia is odds-on to land Britain's most prestigious Flat race after victory for The Grey Gatsby in the often-informative Dante Stakes failed to shake up the Derby market.
Hot-favourite True Story never travelled with any great fluency and, despite suffering interference from the winner, hardly looked an unlucky loser in third.
Australia, who finished six places ahead of The Grey Gatsby when finishing third in the 2,000 Guineas, is now 8-11 (from 5-4) with Paddy Power for the Epsom Classic, with credible opposition seemingly thin on the ground.
The Grey Gatsby, trying a trip beyond a mile for the first time, settled beautifully for Ryan Moore in third in the early stages, headed only by pacesetter Odeon and the Richard Hannon-trained Bunker.
True Story, second favourite for the Derby before the Dante, was far more relaxed pre-race than had been the case on his previous start, so much so that he made a tardy exit from the stalls.
Rocked along by Kieren Fallon in the early stages, he eventually settled one place behind The Grey Gatsby, with just Saab Almanal and Arod behind.
The runners headed up the centre of the track after turning for home, with The Grey Gatsby coming through to lead early in the straight under a confident Moore.
It took True Story a while to find his top gear and, although closing on the eventual winner when he hung to the stands' rail, never looked like getting on terms with The Grey Gatsby.
"He's travelled lovely in third and we've started racing a long way from home," said Moore. "When he got to the front he hung right but he's done very well - I was in front too soon. A mile and a quarter is as far as he wants to go"
The winner does not hold an entry at Epsom and the French Derby over the Dante trip could now be on his agenda.
Winning trainer Kevin Ryan said: "I'm delighted for this horse and his owner Frank Gillespie. He's always hung right but I was always happy as he switched off from the start and there was never going to be any excuses about the trip.
"He's in the French Derby and that's probably where we'll aim."
Perhaps connections of Arod will take most from the race, as on just his third start he finished like a train from the back to snatch second close home.
His trainer, Peter Chapple-Hyam, said: "I was very pleased with that. Jamie Spencer said he just got too far back but today was about settling him. It was only the third run of his life and he needs to grow up more.
"In another half-furlong he might have won and faster ground would definitely have suited him. It will be up to Sheikh Fahad but I suppose we'll go to Epsom."
Saeed bin Suroor, trainer of beaten favourite True Story, said: "That was a little bit disappointing but Kieren said he needs a mile and a half and that on faster ground he would be better. I think he will be fine for Epsom."
Having been as short as 5-1, True Story is now available at 16-1 for the Derby. Runner-up Arod was trimmed to 16-1 (from 25) for the race with Betfred.
