Victory Dance steps lively to kick off productive day for Charlie Appleby

Saturday: Newmarket

The classy Lusail won the 7f novice stakes a year ago as a springboard to success in the July festival, and this year's winner Victory Dance could have next month's three-day bash on his radar after a narrow debut win.

The 8-11 chance was thought to be near the top of the juvenile pecking order at Charlie Appleby's powerbase beforehand and came good with a late show to deny gallant front-runner Bresson under Mickael Barzalona.

The French jockey had been shipped in by the Godolphin trainer to provide an extra pair of hands while main riders William Buick and James Doyle were making hay at Royal Ascot, and it paid off.

A 700,000gns purchase, Victory Dance towered over his rivals beforehand and was handed a 33-1 quote by Paddy Power for next year's 2,000 Guineas after his head success.

Alex Merriam, assistant to Appleby, said: "Mickael said it took him a while to get rolling but once he hit the rising ground he strode out nicely. He'll improve for the run and it's possible he'll come back here for the July meeting."

The 7f contest at the July festival is the Group 2 Superlative Stakes which connections won with none other than Native Trail 12 months ago.

Barzalona took his tally to three winners over the two-day fixture in the very next race when Misscall just lasted home in the 6f fillies' handicap for Archie Watson.

No whip required

Star apprentice Harry Davies set himself a test of strength in a finish when dropping his whip a furlong and a half from home in the mile novice aboard Godolphin's second string Sense Of Wisdom

In the end he did not need the persuader to prevail by a head in a tight finish with Barzalona-ridden stablemate First Ruler, thereby denying the Frenchman a treble on the card.

Harry Davies comes back in on Sense Of Wisdom

Sense Of Wisdom certainly has big shoes to fill as the contest was won by the mighty Baaeed a year ago.

Apprentice Davies was at the July course after four days at Royal Ascot where he narrowly missed out on a winner when second on Nymphadora in the Palace of Holyroodhouse Stakes on Friday.

After partnering his 19th winner of the season, the 17-year-old said: "Sense Of Wisdom took a bit of time to get going as it was first time out and he was pretty green, but his ability got him out of trouble. He'll probably be better with some ease in the ground, but I just hope someone has picked my stick up!"

Wonder Wall

Bague D'Or opened up a new frontier when scoring in the long-distance ranks for the first time in the Jockey Club Grassroots Stayers Series Qualifier.

The 7-2 chance was extending the recent good run of jockey Neil Callan which included a winner at Royal Ascot on Wednesday.

He said of the Chris Wall-trained chestnut: "Chris was a bit worried about this longer trip, but that should give the horse some confidence."

It was not all roses for Callan, however, as he was found guilty of improper riding when causing interference just before the three-furlong pole and was suspended for eight days (July 2-9).

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