COMMUNIQUE led from pillar to post when causing a minor upset in the Group 2 Roaring Lion Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.

Although a previous winner over the course and distance, Mark Johnston’s charge had finished well-beaten on his return to action at Newbury and looked to have plenty on his plate – with John Gosden’s high-class filly Coronet and Roger Varian’s defending champion Defoe among his six rivals.

However, the 12/1 shot set only a moderate pace in front and three-times champion jockey Silvestre de Sousa had kept a bit up his sleeve as he raised the tempo racing inside the final quarter-mile.

Last year’s winner Defoe finished with a flourish, but Communique never looked in any real danger of being caught and passed the post a length and a quarter to the good.

Johnston also saddled the third home Mildenberger, with 5/4 favourite Coronet ultimately a shade disappointing in fourth.