Distant Music's stranglehold on the betting for the Sagitta 2000 Guineas was loosened as he played a duff note at Newmarket today.
And hopes that Misraah would strengthen his claims failed to materialise on a day of inconclusive trials for the first colts' Classic on May 6.
With Distant Music narrowly beaten and Misraah scraping home the leading bookmakers were set a tough task composing their betting lists.
William Hill and Coral make the Irish challenger Giant's Causeway favourite, the Tote keep Distant Music at the head of the market while Ladbrokes hedged their bets and made the pair joint favourites.
Surprisingly, Distant Music's conqueror Barathea Guest is still as high as 8-1.
Distant Music, the top-rated British juvenile, was sent off at 8-13 to reinforce his reputation in the Lane's End Greenham Stakes which had been transferred to today's programme after the abandonment of Newbury.
After a slow start he weaved his way through the pack to force his way to the front approaching the final furlong.
But he had nothing left to offer as Barathea Guest swooped late under Philip Robinson to lead virtually on the line.
Barathea Guest's trainer George Margarson, a former jump jockey, is convinced his charge has been under-rated.
"He would have eaten them for breakfast over one mile and I can't wait for the Guineas now," he said.
Margarson had come into the race with plenty of confidence on the back of super homework from Barathea Guest.
"He gave his lead horse 10 lengths start and still beat him easily," he said. "It was the best piece of work since I was with Mick Ryan and saw Katies on the gallops.
"My fella would only have been about 90% ready today and it didn't helped that he went to Newbury on Saturday and missed working that day.
"I won't be betting on him for the Guineas I'm just going to enjoy getting him ready for the race now."
Barry Hills was far from downhearted over Distant Music's reverse.
"I'm pleased with the horse. He behaved himself well and it could be that he wants further now," he said.
"He did come out of the stalls a bit awkwardly but I wouldn't put his defeat down to that or the ground.
"He didn't blow but he has learnt a lot from that and provided the ground remains good he will be hard to beat in the Guineas."
Jockey Michael Hills said: "It's the first time he's had to go through horses, he was a bit hesitant and he idled when he did get in front."
Doubts remain whether Misraah will even tackle the 2000 Guineas after his short-head defeat of Free Rider in the btsme Conditions Stakes.
He is as high as 10-1 (William Hill) and trainer Sir Michael Stoute admitted: "He gave us a bit of a scare.
"We expected a smoother performance than that though Richard (Hills) said he was pulling up in front.
"He will have to put it in better than that if he is even to run in the Guineas."
Cretan Gift showed that he retains a spring in his step at the age of nine when he took care of 12 rivals in the NGK Spark Plugs Abernant Stakes.
He produced a powerful late surge under Tom McLaughlin to defeat Warningford by one and a half lengths in the Listed event.
Trainer Nick Littmoden was a proud man as he greeted the old stager in the winner's enclosure.
"For me this it's just the best when he wins," he said. "You shouldn't get sentimental about horses but I am about this one.
"I've had him since he was three and he's been through a lot. I still ride him out every day and he's like my best friend.
"When he won the Ayr Silver Cup that was what got my phone ringing.
"On his day he is an outstanding horse and at his age he can still show the younger ones how to do it."
