Simple Verse, trained by Ralph Beckett, put up a very pleasing performance when finishing second on her season's debut at Newmarket today.

Qatar Racing's star filly was ridden by Oisin Murphy (pictured) for the first time in public when lining up in the Gr.2 Dunaden at Overbury Jockey Club Stakes. Tracking early leader Big Orange she took a narrow lead with two furlongs to run, but had no answer to the powerful late finish of Exosphere from Sir Michael Stoute's stable.

Today's feature race, the £500,000 QIPCO 2000 Guineas, became a first Classic winner for trainer Hugo Palmer thanks to the Frankie Dettori-ridden Galileo Gold.

He beat Massaat and Ribchester by one and a half lengths and two lengths. Favourite Air Force Blue was unplaced.