There was no sign of any obvious jetlag on the Whatcombe trainer as he greeted Joe Fanning on the 6-1 winner, who scored by a length from Longquan. The winner was purchased at the Calder Breeze Up Sale in Miami and had shown promise when runner-up on his debut at Wolverhampton.

This step back to six furlongs proved a smart move and Cole said: "I was slightly put off by the ground as he really wants it faster, while he's a little immature and I'm sure there's mental and physical development to come. But the ability is there and I might run him once more this year." Endiamo was all the rage in the ring and backed from 7-4 down to 5-4 favourite, but he was faced with a wall of horses two furlongs out and, although running on when switched to the stands rail, never looked like getting in a blow.

Captain Marvelous put up a fine weight-carrying performance to defy 9st 7lb in the Uplands Racing Nursery. Allowed to start a 20-1 chance after losing his way, the colt produced a smart turn of foot to gain control inside the distance and hold on from Oi Vey Joe and the favourite, Leopard King.

Barry Hills was not as surprised as some by the success, saying: "When he won at Chester in May I thought he was going to be all right, but then he lost his way and ran an awful race when I tried him over seven furlongs. They say always back the top weight in a nursery and he's done it well."

Excellent Art is a toppriced 40-1 chance for the Stan James 2000 Guineas following his narrow success over Doctor Brown in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes. In a thrilling finish, Kerrin McEvoy and Excellent Art short-headed Doctor Brown and Jimmy Fortune as the pair drew three-anda-half lengths clear of Dubai Builder.