Dante Festival: Secret Satire storms to victory as Mill Stream snatches one on the line

The Andrew Balding-trained filly was sent off a 22-1 shot and raced prominently on the far side of the course in the hands of Oisin Murphy.

She stayed on strongly all the way up the straight to head Francophone by two lengths at the line, with Classical Song a further half length behind in third.

The 8-11 favourite Friendly Soul was never travelling and pulled hard after being dropped in at the rear of the field and eventually came home last of the seven runners.

Secret Satire, who had finished third in a Sandown novice on her seasonal return, was cut to 14-1 with the sponsors for the Betfred Oaks – a race Andrew Balding has won in the past with Casual Look.

His wife Anna-Lisa said: “Andrew was very hopeful that she’d come on from her last run, which was encouraging, and she looked well today.

“He said to me before I left this morning ‘come back with a winner, it’ll be tough, but this filly will finish in the first three’.

“Oisin was confident actually when we legged him up and he’s come back in and been very complimentary, so we’ll see how she is but I think the last Friday in May (Oaks) could be an option.”

Mill Stream just got up on the line to land a thrilling renewal of the 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes.

Ridden by William Buick and trained by Jane Chapple-Hyam, Mill Stream was sent off the 4-1 joint favourite for the Group Two affair but had to battle hard in a four-way fight to the line. Mill Stream eventually edged ahead of Shouldvebeenaring by a nose, with a photo needed to separate the pair.

Diligent Harry is still looking for a first victory on turf as he was beaten into third by a neck, with Washington Heights a further neck adrift in fourth. Mill Stream trainer Chapple-Hyam said: “He’s a tough, brave horse.”