ROGER Varian has a rapidly improving three-year-old in Pilaster and the daughter of Nathaniel took a major step forward when landing the Group 2 Lillie Langtry Stakes after an all-out battle with Maid Up. The pair came very close together in the closing stages but the placings remained unaltered after an inquiry.

The fact that Ryan Moore rode God Given, even though Aidan O’Brien was represented by Flattering, helped make Luca Cumani’s filly 5/2 favourite. She led from Flattering but found little when challenged in the straight and could finish only fourth.