USA an option for York winner New Providence

Trainer Hugo Palmer remains bewildered by that uncharacteristic display in the Commonwealth Cup and was delighted to see her return to her best on the Knavesmire.

The Oak Tree Stakes at Glorious Goodwood could be next for New Providence, followed by the Grade Two $400,000 Ballston Spa for fillies and mares on turf at Saratoga on August 29.

Harry Bentley brought the New Providence (5-1) through to lead a furlong out, but she had to fight close home to hold Lucky Kristale by a head with Kiyoshi three-quarters of a length away in third.

“She deserved that so much. The Group One at Royal Ascot was the only time she’s been out of the first three in her life. She’s won four and been second three times and third three times,” said Palmer.

“She’s as honest as the day’s long and loves a battle. She probably idled a tiny bit in front and when Lucky Kristale came to her girths she found a bit more. She doesn’t lie down.

“I don’t know why she ran so badly at Ascot. That was not her true running. When they’ve always run brilliantly and they run badly and you go to well again quickly you wonder, but everything was fine and there was no reason not to.”

Bentley completed a double on Wadi Al Hattawi (9-1), who defied top weight in the Groeceryaid Chairman’s Charity Cup Handicap.

The Saeed bin Suroor-trained five-year-old overcame a 321-day absence as he got the better of Curbyourenthusiasm by a neck.

Wadi Al Hattawi was cut to 20-1 from 33-1 with the sponsors for the Betfred Ebor back at York next month.

Lydia’s Place (5-2 favourite) hung on for a narrow victory in the Electrolux Appliance Nursery despite the saddling slipping halfway through the race.

Ajaya (4-9 favourite) easily won the Cakemark EBF Stallions Maiden Stakes as expected following his eyecatching run in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The William Haggas-trained youngster made most of the running under Graham Gibbson and passed the post four and a half lengths clear of To Of The Bank.