Four-year-old Secret Gesture was second of eight runners in the Gr.2 Middleton Stakes, while Arod finished strongly to take the same position in the Gr.2 Betfred Dante Stakes, a trial for Epsom's Investec Derby.

The Ralph Beckett-trained Secret Gesture finished one and three-quarter lengths behind the winner Ambivalent, while Arod, from Peter Chapple-Hyam's stable could not reel in surprise winner The Grey Gatsby, but was beaten just three-quarters of a length.

Chapple-Hyam told the Racing Post: "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 [for the Investec Derby]."

Beckett , quoted by the same paper, said of Secret Gesture: "She ran well and was beaten by a Group One winner. I'm not sure where she will go next, but the Pretty Polly Stakes [at the Curragh on Sunday, June 29, and won last year by Ambivalent] might be the most obvious target."