PERMIAN gave the Investec Derby hopes of Cracksman a direct boost after running out the winner of the Betfred Dante Stakes at York.

After finding the John Gosden's charge - who was declared a non-runner on this occasion due to the ground - too strong at Epsom last month, the son of Teofilo took a giant step forward to back up his last-time-out listed win at Newmarket with a ready success.

Kept handy in behind the early pace set by Wolf Country, the 10/1 shot - who is not entered in the Epsom Classic but will be supplemented at a cost of £85,000 moved through to join the early leader along with favourite Benbatl approaching the final quarter of a mile.

As the pair pulled clear to fight out the finish of the Group 2 contest, it was Permian who found more for pressure when pulling out plenty for Franny Norton to score by three-quarters of a length, giving trainer Mark Johnston his first winner in the race.

The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Derby gamble Crystal Ocean was a further half a length back in third.

Johnston said of the Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed Al Maktoum-owned winner: "I'm delighted to have a live chance in the Derby.

"John Ferguson made the decision to supplement him for this, but when the rain came, we thought our chance had gone. We spoke to John and he said we've paid 12 grand to put him in, so we'll run him, even if it's a bog.

"He's clearly progressing, but I can't say we weren't fearing Cracksman coming here. He looks to have come on a lot with each run, but I'm sure Cracksman will have come on for his run, too.

"I wasn't thinking of the Derby a few weeks ago, but you could see from two out today he was going to win. As John said to me before the race, in the Dante you find out if you're a Derby horse and we've got one."

Godolphin chief executive Ferguson was impressed with the performance and confirmed Permian will be supplemented for Epsom.

He told ITV Racing: "It was a genuinely-run race. William (Buick) was keen to make it on Wolf Country and gave Franny a chance to sit in. Permian finished it off really well, with Benbatl at his girths all the way down the straight.

"We're delighted with the two horses there. I've already spoken to Sheikh Mohammed and he is as thrilled as we are and is very keen to have this horse supplemented for the Derby.

Permian (nearest) is quoted at 16/1 for Epsom

"Permian will be supplemented. Saeed (bin Suroor) had Best Solution win the Lingfield Derby Trial and Benbatl finish second in the Dante so we have to sit down, think, decide and talk to Sheikh Mohammed about that and what he thinks is the right thing to do."

Godolphin now appear to hold a strong hand for Epsom and Ferguson added: "With the way Benbatl has run on there, there's every chance (could go to the Derby).

"If you look at the form leading up into this race, there's a lot of respect for Aidan's (O'Brien) horse who won the Dee Stakes (Cliffs Of Moher) and he was followed home by Bay Of Poets, who wasn't far behind this horse and Cracksman at Epsom.

"Luckily there are still cards, not to play, but to analyse. It's just great to be in a season where so many three-year-olds have a live chance and no doubt in time we will find out exactly where they stand.

"If Churchill stays the mile and a half he is going to be a very tough nut to crack, but these horses all deserve to take their chances and it's just great to be going to the party."

Bin Suroor felt the runner-up would learn again for the experience.

He said: "I'm happy with that, he still needs more experience but he's learning all the time.

"He shows us he is a good horse at home. A mile and a quarter looks to be his trip, but we're still looking at the Derby as his aim, along with Best Solution. Obviously, Sheikh Mohammed will make the decision."

Stoute expressed doubts about Crystal Ocean's Derby claims before the race and when asked about Epsom, he said: "I wouldn't (run), but he has an owner that might want to."

Joseph O'Brien said of Rekindling, who was fourth: "He ran a good race, but he could have done with better ground. It's a bit early to say whether we'll go for the Derby after that."

DERBY BETTING

5/1 Cliffs Of Moher, Churchill, 6/1 Cracksman, 8/1 Barney Roy, 12/1 Eminent, 14/1 Best Solution, 16/1 Permian, Mirage Dancer, Yucatan, Venice Beach

MIDDLETON STAKES

Blond Me cast aside any stamina fears after gaining the most significant success of her career with a shock victory in the Betfred Middleton Stakes.

Although sent off the 11/1 outsider of the quartet to go to post in the extended mile and a quarter test, the Andrew Balding-trained five-year-old took her form to new heights to claim the second Group 2 of her career.

Barbara Keller, owner of Blond Me

Having failed to figure on her only start over the trip on her final outing of last season in Italy, the jury was out whether the daughter of Tamayuz would be able to see out the trip.

As early leader and favourite The Black Princess attempted to turn the race into a sprint halfway down the home straight, it appeared those tactics might be a winning move.

Having seen off the attentions of last year's Breeders' Cup Filly And Mare Turf winner Queen's Trust it looked as though the John Gosden-trained runner was going to back up her Group 3 win at Chantilly last month.

Although taking time to hit top gear, Oisin Murphy got a good tune out of Blond Me to deliver her fast and late, bettering The Black Princess by a length and a quarter.

Murphy said: "The ground was a concern, but fair play to Andrew and Mrs Keller as they took a chance to run her and it's paid dividends.

"It's a big York meeting and I wanted a winner so I thought I would try (a different racing line).

"Looking at her action, you would think she wants firm ground so maybe she's just improved a bit."

Balding was not at the track but was represented by his wife Anna Lisa, who said: "We're over the moon as we didn't think she would handle the ground. She picked up really well and has strengthened up well over the winter. I've no idea were she will go next."

Gosden is now planning to step up in trip with The Black Princess.

He said: "Frankie (Dettori) said she just felt a little flat after France.She will probably go for the Lancashire Oaks next and we will step her up in trip."

Sir Michael Stoute was delighted with the run of South African import Smart Call, who was third, one place ahead of stablemate Queen's Trust.

He said: "I'm very pleased with Smart Call. She had not run for 16 months so you would think she would come on for it. Queen's Trust just got a little tired in the last furlong."

Oisin Murphy and Andrew Balding completed a double in the Listed Betfred TV Hambleton Handicap when Here Comes When (10/1) beat the favourite Chelsea Lad.

The other graded race on the card, the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes over five furlongs saw a shock winner with David O'Meara and Danny Tudhope combining with 20/1 shot Fashion Queen