Henry Cecil can contemplate mounting a three-pronged challenge for the Vodafone Derby as he tries to land the Epsom Classic for a fifth time.
The trainer's main hope Beat Hollow strengthened his chances - in the eyes of most bookmakers - when he defeated stablemate Sandmason, another Derby possible at Newmarket.
After his comfortable length-and-a-quarter victory in the Green Ridge Stables Newmarket Stakes, Victor Chandler trimmed him to 7-2 favourite for the Epsom showpiece.
Trainer Henry Cecil expressed himself satisfied but warned: 'He will need another race if he's going to become a live Derby contender.'
With the possibility of a slow gallop undermining his chances, Richard Quinn wisely decided to dictate the running-on Beat Hollow.
The 11-8 favourite quickened well when his pilot pressed the button with two furlongs to travel to set up a winning advantage in the Listed contest.
With the race in the bag his stride appeared to be shortening and Sandmason waS able to close the gap in the final furlong.
The remainder were well beaten off with Entisar, Godolphin's first runner of the year, nine lengths back in third.
'We've had a bad spring and I've been easy on both horses so I have to be pleased with that. They were both hollering around the paddock and are still green,' said Cecil.
'Beat Hollow quickened well but Richard left him alone when he had the race won and he might have been getting a bit tired.'
Beat Hollow is set to be tested further in the Dante Stakes at York later in the month.
Sandmason, quoted at 16-1 for the Derby by Ladbrokes, is pencilled in for the Glasgow Stakes at the same meeting.
'If he keeps progressing, and he has to progress a lot, we will think about the Derby.'
Bien Entendu, the possible third string to Cecil's bow, is set to tackle the Lingfield Derby Trial a week today.
The drying ground saw Cape Grace improve substantially on her seasonal debut to secure the Charles Hiedsieck Champagne Dahlia Stakes.
She put up a spirited performance to see off Annapurna by one and three-quarter lengths in the Listed contest.
'She hadn't run for a year and got stuck in the mud when she ran at Kempton last month,' said trainer Richard Hannon.
'She was off for a long time because she had a little chip on her bone after being beaten by Lucido and Oath at Newbury last year.
'I'm delighted that the owner didn't send her to America as I think she's very good and can go on from this.'
Cape Grace may now try her luck in Group Two company with the Prix de la Rochette at Longchamp a possible target.
Godolphin did not have to wait long to break their duck with their third runner Meiosis landing the Portland Lodge Maiden Stakes.
The newcomer stretched clear in great style under Dubai champion jockey Ted Durcan to defeat Papabile by seven lengths.
It was the right start for the powerful Dubai operation ahead of their bid this weekend to win the two Guineas in this country and the Kentucky Derby.
