Weekend Review: Sri Putra lands the York Stakes

Renowned top-level performer Twice Over took advantage of the drop in grade to land last year's Group 2 contest and this year's renewal also fell to a horse who had been operating at Group 1 level, albeit not as successfully as Twice Over. Sri Putra has twice made the frame in the prestigious Group 1 Eclipse, but he has also thrown in numerous lesser efforts and he entered Saturday's contest with his attitude firmly under question, consequently going off as a relatively unfancied outsider at a Betfair SP of 16.531/2.

Roger Varian's charge, wearing a first-time hood in tandem with blinkers, was clearly on a going-day, quickening sharply at the furlong pole to get on top despite drifting markedly left under pressure. It remains to be seen whether this quirky character can reproduce this effort next time, particularly as his past record highlights his inconsistency. Varian has earmarked an international campaign for Sri Putra, hoping to target weaker contests on the continent, rather than throwing him back into competitive domestic Group 1 races.

The York Dash was the main supporting race on the card and it was Mark Johnston who provided the winner in the shape of Van Ellis. This was the three-year-old's first attempt at the six-furlong trip since his debut last year and he clearly relished it, finishing strongly despite drifting right under pressure. It was a smart performance to defy a BHA mark of 100 and given his unexposed nature over six furlongs it would be no surprise were Van Ellis to eventually make his mark outside of handicap company.

Ascot also staged a card on Saturday, with the feature race being the Group 3 Princess Margaret Stakes. It was the Richard Hannon-trained Maureen who proved victorious, justifying odds-on favouritism in the process. There were mild concerns that the firm ground could catch out the daughter of Holy Roman Emperor, but she seemed unperturbed, comfortably drawing clear of her rivals without needing to improve upon the form of her unlucky defeat at Newmarket. She clearly possesses a lot of ability and it is almost certain that she will contest stronger races from now on, with the Lowther Stakes at York looking like a possible target.

Barnet Fair had gone for over a year without a win, despite putting up numerous creditable efforts in defeat, but he finally managed to get his head in front at the right time to land the competitive five-furlong handicap at Ascot. Barnet Fair was held up off the strong pace, which perhaps played into his hands as he came with a sustained charge to collar the tiring leaders close home. He should remain competitive as his mark is unlikely to rise much, but he may need everything to fall right for him again if he is to follow-up.

Mark Johnston, not content with landing the sprint at York, also saddled the winner of the feature race at Newmarket, as Fulbright backed up his recent course win to beat a strong field. He has developed a good record at the July Course but it would be a surprise were he not to prove as effective elsewhere, as he is progressing nicely and looks well worth his place in better company.

Finally, it wouldn't be a weekend review at the moment without referring to a John Gosden Group 1 success, and Elusive Kate didn't disappoint as she registered a comfortable victory in the Prix Rothschild at Deauville. Runner-up in the Falmouth Stakes on her seasonal reappearance, Gosden's filly managed to go one better as she again had odds-on favourite Golden Lilac in behind. It was a relatively comfortable success for Elusive Kate as William Buick sent his filly straight into the lead and, in truth, she never faced a serious challenge as she bounded to a second Group 1 success, supplementing last year's triumph in the Prix Marcel Boussac.