Full brother to Golan takes leading Derby trial

Sir Michael Stoute and Ryan Moore had a quickfire Group double at York on Thursday when Tartan Bearer (Spectrum - Highland Gift, by Generous) ran on well from the rear of the field of five to win the Group Two Dante Stakes.

Tartan Bearer, a Leicester maiden winner on his second start last time, raced last but made up ground with a smooth run in the straight to hit the front in a race run at a decent pace. The Aidan O'Brien trained Frozen Fire also emerged to make a fight of it, but never looked like getting on top of the winner. The odds on favourite, Twice Over, looked to run out of steam late on and settled for third.

Peter Reynolds of owner/breeder Ballymacoll Stud told Channel 4: "I was hoping, rather than expecting. Michael has always liked the horse, but it is a big ask to win a maiden at Leicester and then come here. We have had a lot of success, we are very fortunate - Michael has done a fantastic job.

"Epsom is Michael's department. His brother, Golan, didn't do very well there but he has done it very well today and that's all we can ask."

Of Twice Over, Henry Cecil said: "I am not blaming the ground as all the others went on it. He came there and emptied out and he was disappointing really.

"Whether he needs to come back in distance or not I don't know. It is up to the Prince, but I don't think he will run in the Derby after that."