Desert has Ebor aim

David Arbuthnot's seven-year-old shaped as a stayer on the upgrade at Newcastle when finishing just over three lengths behind Overturn.

And while he beat just one home in the 2009 renewal of the York feature, there were extenuating circumstances.

Berkshire-based Arbuthnot said: "He got heat-stroke in the race last year – he was staggering around everywhere – so we've got to be careful with him if it is as hot as that this year.

"We'll definitely head back to York, but it does depend on the ground as he must have it quick.

"Two miles suits him fine, but he's also got the speed for a mile and six so the Ebor is an obvious race for him.

"We got a bit excited with a furlong to go in the Plate, but the winner just kept going and didn't stop.''

Cape Blanco got every yard of the mile and a half to give Aidan O'Brien a fifth successive victory in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

Johnny Murtagh's mount (7-2) had been impressive in the Dante Stakes at York when beating subsequent Epsom hero Workforce before flopping in the French Derby.

But he showed his Chantilly running to be all wrong as he got the better of a battle with stablemate Midas Touch from inside the two furlong pole to come out on top by half a length.

Fellow Ballydoyle inmate Jan Vermeer was third, while the Mark Johnston-trained Monterosso kept on for fourth having been one of the first of the principals to be niggled along.

There wasaconsiderably better result for Johnston in the Dubai Duty Free Double Millionaire Handicap asSea Lord (4-1) took top honours.

Frankie Dettori rode his rivals to sleep with a stop-start pace and had too many guns for Scandal Sheet, ultimately coming home one and a quarter lengths to the good.

Johnston said: "He won twice and went to Royal Ascot, where he never really got a run and was boxed-in. He showed today what he can do from the front."

British sprinters tend to have the edge over their Irish rivals and overseas raiders filled the first five places in the Dubai Duty Free Sapphire Stakes.

The winner Glamorous Spirit (16-1), who was punched home half a length clear of Reverence, brought about several landmarks for Welsh trainer Ron Harris, who had also saddled the unplaced Judge 'N Jury.

Next home were Elnawin, Piccadilly Filly and Bryan Smart's Spin Cycle.

"That's my first Group winner and my first winner in Ireland," revealed Harris.

"She's a very quick filly – she'd be unbeatable if there were races over four and a half furlongs.

"This is down to the owners, who own both horses. Glamorous Spirit was going to run in a Listed race at Chester in two weeks and Judge 'N Jury was coming here, but the ground went against Judge 'N Jury and the owner said we should run them both.

"She'll still run at Chester, the track would suit her better."