JOHN Gosden withdrew So Mi Dar from the Group 2 Betfred Middleton Stakes for fillies and mares and, with Chain Of Daisies another absentee, only four lined up. The trainer was still represented by 11/8 favourite Black Princess but the surprise winner was Andrew Balding’s 11/1 outsider Blond Me.

The Black Princess led for Frankie Dettori but was strongly challenged by Queen’s Trust. The latter could not sustain her effort but Oisin Murphy was coaxing a response from Blond Me, who stayed on gamely to get up and score by just over a length.