Lead Artist outbattled Dancing Gemini to win the BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

John and Thady Gosden’s four-year-old was a well-backed 17/2 chance under Oisin Murphy, with Dancing Gemini and Rosallion the key players in the market.

The latter came home a two-and-a-quarter-length third, but Dancing Gemini fought Lead Artist all the way to the line to miss out only in the final strides as the Juddmonte-owned horse came out triumphant by a neck.

Rosallion was over two lengths back in third, a pleasing reappearance, and a short-head in front of his old rival Notable Speech, who also ran well on his seasonal debut.

"He has an amazing temperament. The lads were really confident and the market told. He was a joy to ride," said Murphy, who took over the rider from Kieran Shoemark.

John Gosden said: "He was given a peach of the ride. I thought we'd be in the three but I didn't necessararily think we'd win it."

Dancing Gemini trainer Roger Teal said: "He ran a cracker on ground that's quicker than he's ever been on."

Lead Artist is a four-year-old colt by Dubawi. the first foal out of the Frankel mare Obligate, who was a Group 2 winner in France. He comes from the family of Banks Hill, Dansili, Cacique and Champs Elysees.