Andrew Cohen, whose blue colours have been carried with distinction over jumps by the likes of Suny Bay, enjoyed a rare victory on the Flat with Lafite at York today.
Lafite, well beaten on her return at Newmarket earlier this month, caused a surprise when getting up on the line to land the Brewin Dolphin Securities Middleton Stakes by a short head from Fantazia at odds of 20-1.
'She was just a bit fresh on her reappearance at Newmarket and my horses have been needing a run,' said John Hills, the winning trainer. 'She has done well over the winter and is a better filly this year.
'It was the plan to win this race - I won it two years ago with Arriving.
'We bought Lafite as a yearling and Andrew Cohen, who has just bought the Wood Hall Stud, hopes to have 10 to 15 foundation broodmares and he's made a good start with this one.'
There are no immediate plans for Lafite and Hills added: 'A mile and a quarter is her trip and we may look at something in France for her.'
Ellens Lad returned to form in style with a game success in the 23-runner Sony Telecom Services Stakes.
With the field splitting into two groups Willie Musson's six-year-old, unplaced in his three starts so far this season, tracked the leaders on the far side as Sunley Sense made the running from stall five in the five-furlong handicap.
Pat Eddery produced Ellens Lad to challenge at the furlong marker and the combination soon got the better of Sunley Sense. However, the latter fought back and Musson's 11-1 chance only had a neck to spare at the line.
'He usually comes from behind but there was nothing there so he had to go for it,' said Judy Musson, wife of the winning trainer. 'I was a bit worried about his draw (six) because Pat thought they would race down the centre.'
Eddery added: 'We were always about a length in front on the far side and my horse could have done with a lead for a bit longer _ he tends to stop once in front.'
The Richard Hughes-ridden Mayaro Bay cruised to a comfortable one-and-a-half-length triumph over Caribbean Monarch in the Hambleton Rated Stakes to book her ticket for Royal Ascot.
Sylvester Kirk, representing winning trainer Richard Hannon, said: 'She had two quick runs early when our horses weren't right and she was a lot fitter today.
'I believe the trainer would have the Hunt Cup at the back of his mind and then possibly a little Group Three the way she won today.'
Another bound for the Royal meeting is Barking Mad who took the EBF Blue Bicycle Maiden Stakes by a length from Firework.
The winner's trainer Michael Bell said: 'He's been working very well at home and travelled very well today.
'He sat down in the stalls on his debut so we had him put in last today and he was okay.
'He'll go for the Coventry Stakes now.'
