Invincible Army ran out an emphatic winner of the Duke Of York Clipper Logistics Stakes at York on Wednesday.

The James Tate-trained four-year-old had appeared much improved when making an impressive start to his campaign in the Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster in late March and he was a 7/2 joint-favourite stepping up to Group 2 level on the Knavesmire.

P.J. McDonald rode a patient race for much of the six-furlong contest as the speedy El Astronaute adopted his customary pace-setting role.

As his challenge petered out racing inside the final furlong, Invincible Army was just getting going and he powered home late on to score by an impressive two and a quarter lengths.

Major Jumbo (8/1) was best of the rest in second, with the other joint-favourite, Yafta, finishing third.

Some bookmakers installed the winner as favourite for the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

MUSIDORA SUCCESS

Nausha claimed a narrow victory in a thrilling climax to the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes.

A field of 10 fillies went to post for this recognised trial for the Investec Oaks at Epsom, with John Gosden’s impressive Sandown scorer Sparkle Roll the well-backed favourite at /-4.

I’ll Have Another set the pace for a long way, but hung across the track when coming under pressure and those involved in the finish made their challenges down the centre of the track.

Roger Varian’s Nausha hit the front racing inside the final furlong and was flanked by the William Haggas-trained Frankellina and Gosden’s apparent second string Entitle – a half-sister to the brilliant Enable.

There was little to choose between the trio as the post loomed, but it was Nausha who gained the verdict under Andrea Atzeni, with Frankellina and Entitle dead-heating for second.

Supporters of both Frankellina and Entitle will justifiably curse their luck, with Frankellina running a huge race to finish so close after blowing the start, and Entitle stumbling inside the closing stages.

Sparkle Roll, however, was disappointing.

DETTORI WINNER

First Eleven was installed as the early favourite for the Ebor in August after a gritty victory in the Sky Bet Race To The Ebor Jorvik Handicap.

Unlucky at Royal Ascot last season, First Eleven was sent off at 5/1 for a race in which the winner was guaranteed a place in the first ever £1 million Ebor.

John Gosden indicated the Ebor was a likely target, and a return to Ascot is also on the cards.

First Eleven beat Fujaira Prince by a neck in the hands of Frankie Dettori.

“It would be lovely if we could have him right for the Ebor, but I don’t know about the next two furlongs,” said Gosden. “I asked Frankie and he said ‘if you like’, which didn’t really inspire me with confidence.

“That was good today, he kept fighting. He was headed, but he came back and I see no reason not to run him once at Royal Ascot and then target the Ebor as they need to be 105 to get in – you can’t get in off the high 90s anymore.

“When they put on money like the Ebor, you should turn up and make a race of it.”

Owner Khalid Abdullah’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe added: “The Ebor has to be the target, but his dam did win a French Guineas, so another two furlongs is not absolutely guaranteed. He found plenty there and was very courageous.”

Andrea Atzeni, the rider of the second, was suspended for two days for using his whip in the incorrect place.

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