Dante day double for jockey Murphy at York

He’s not finished yet – the 21-year-old will be hoping 2015 St Leger winner Simple Verse can beat defending champion Clever Cookie in today’s Yorkshire Cup.

Sporting a black eye after an errant horse lashed out earlier this week, the former champion apprentice was pleasantly surprised by Blond Me’s unexpected victory in the Middleton Stakes.

Although sent off the rank outsider of the quartet to go to post in the extended mile-and-a-quarter test, the Andrew Balding-trained five-year-old filly took her form to new heights to claim the second Group Two of her career.

As early leader and favourite The Black Princess, ridden by the ever canny Frankie Dettori, attempted to turn the race into a sprint halfway down the home straight, it appeared those tactics might be a winning move.

The pacesetter had seen off the attentions of last year’s Breeders’ Cup Filly And Mare Turf winner Queen’s Trust, and looked set to back up her Group Three win at Chantilly last month until Murphy got a good tune out of Blond Me to deliver her fast and late.

“The ground was a concern, but fair play to Andrew and Mrs Keller as they took a chance to run her and it’s paid dividends,” said Murphy, who does not look out of place in such illustrious company.

“It’s a big York meeting and I wanted a winner.

“Looking at her action, you would think she wants firm ground so maybe she’s just improved a bit.”

Balding, so instrumental in the nurturing of Murphy through his formative years in the saddle, was not at the track but was represented by his wife Anna Lisa, who said: “We’re over the moon as we didn’t think she would handle the ground.”

While Blond Me will have higher-profile dates later in the summer, the Balding-trained Here Comes When – now a veteran seven years of age – rolled back the years to take full advantage of his sliding mark with an authoritative success in the Hambleton Stakes.

Murphy said: “I’ve won on him before, but he’s quite a tricky ride. I’m delighted he’s won a big pot. He’s a Group horse on his day when he gets cut in the ground and is relaxed.”

The jockey also believes the rain-softenend ground won’t be a hindrance for Simple Verse who provided him with a 21st birthday to remember when coming from an improbable position to win Doncaster’s Park Hill Stakes last September, cementing his position as retained rider to Qatar Racing.

Next month’s Ascot Gold Cup is the target and trianer Ralph Beckett said last night: “She’s in good form and went well when she worked on Monday morning. The ground should be ideal, as should the track and trip.”

However Peter Niven’s Clever Cookie, victorious 12 months ago, will relish conditions. Though nine years of age, the horse – bred by the trainer’s mother – thrives at York.

“He has had a bit of an interrupted sort of ‘prep’.

“But for the last six weeks he has been good. He has done enough to warrant a run, put it that way,” said Malton-based Niven ahead of this one and three quarter mile stamina test.

“He has got a little bit lazier, like the rest of us as we get older. But he is still very enthusiastic.

“He loves going out every day – he loves the routine. He is very happy in himself.”