Dante third for Elm Park as Gesture runs them ragged

Now a five-year-old, Secret Gesture finished runner-up in two Oaks - the Epsom and Germany versions - two seasons ago, but had subsequently recorded just one Listed win. A year ago she was second in the Gr.2 Betfred Middleton Stakes, but today she went one better in the same race, beating seven rivals and crossing the line a length and a half to the good from runner-up Talmada.

Speaking to the Racing Post after the contest, trainer Ralph Beckett said of the mare, who is owned in partnership with Newsells Park Stud: "Secret Gesture has been at it at three and four and we either kept running into one [too good] or a couple. We have been frustrated a couple of times, notably here against Sheikhzayedroad. She has been extremely consistent.

"I don´t think going into the bend he [Atzeni] quite believed how far clear he was, you saw him look between his legs to see where the rest of them were. But we know she likes it here. I only really decided to run after her work on Saturday, she had a really good holiday at Newsells and came back having done very well. I would think she will probably show up in the Pretty Polly at the Curragh next month."

Elm Park finished third in the Gr.2 Betfred Dante Stakes, but considering he was beaten by two race-fit rivals and the trio were a long way clear of the fourth, there was plenty of reason to take satisfaction from the performance.

Trainer Andrew Balding told the Racing Post: "I was very happy, Elm Park has just got tired which he was entitled to. Andrea thought he had it won and he has just tied up. He made the point that he is a much bigger horse than he was last year and he just needed it a little bit."

Elm Park finished two and three-quarter lengths, and three and a quarter lengths behind the John Gosden-trained pair of Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs, but he was eased near the line.

On the same York card, Strath Burn, a Qatar Racing partnership horse with Ronnie Bartlett, finished third under Jamie Spencer in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes.