'I couldn't believe she was 9-1' - Argentine Tango lands Listed feature to set up a potential tilt at Lowther

Punters had to watch their bets before the feature Listed Empress Fillies' Stakes on the July course but those who did a Tango forecast were in business as Argentine Tango held the late thrust of Midnight Tango.

The 6f contest had been repositioned from the former Saturday meeting and provided plenty of excitement with the first four covered by half a length.

The win was the first for a Yorkshire stable in the race since 2017 and was giving successful jockey David Allan his first victory at the track for "as long as I can remember".

Although trainer Tim Easterby was absent, successful owner-breeder Terry Holdcroft made the trip from Shropshire with some optimism beforehand.

He said: "I couldn't believe she was 9-1 as she was second to Karl Burke's Royal Ascot winner Venetian Sun at Carlisle the time before last giving her 6lb. Somehow she was rated only 84 and Venetian Sun is now 20lb higher."

The Empress Fillies' Stakes has proved a stepping stone to the Group 2 Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at the July festival in recent years but Holdcroft said: "I would say that Tim, as a Yorkshireman, would want to have a crack at the Lowther at York instead."

Beckford scores under Buick

William Buick showed why he has been leading rider on the July course for the past couple of years when scoring on his first ride of the season at the summer venue on Beckford's Folly.

The two-time champion jockey bided his time in the opening 6f novice off a pace set by favourite Romeo Montague before firing his mount into the Dip and out of it to win by two and three-quarter lengths.

Beckford's Folly: stays on best in the 6f noviceCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Alex Merriam, assistant to trainer Charlie Appleby, said: "We thought he may need seven furlongs but William got off and said stick to six for now. We were hopeful of a decent show as he got stuck out in the middle of the track at Lingfield on his debut and we took the hood off him this time."

Drinks all round after Abbot strike

Former local brewery director Tim Bridge was all smiles after the William Haggas-trained Another Abbot, named after one of Greene King's most potent ales, registered his first win off bottomweight in the 6f handicap.

William Haggas: was successful with Another AbbotCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Cieren Fallon was at his best on the 9-1 chance to see off the persistent challenge of Fiscal Policy by a length and a quarter.

Asked how many of the five per cent pints he can drink, the winning owner said: "I can handle three pints of Abbot but if you have five you can get a bit out of hand."

Berry stayer strikes again

Dereham posted a third win in the closing 2m handicap at the age of nine. 

The 18-5 chance followed up victories in the race in 2022 and 2023 for John Berry and scored by six and a half lengths under Saffie Osborne.

Miss proves a hit 

There was a local connection to the all-the way win of the Ralph Beckett-trained Miss Cartesian in the 7f fillies' novice as the successful joint-owner's son is pupil assistant to trainer George Boughey.

Miss Cartesian: was a dominant winner of the 7f fillies' noviceCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Harry Myddelton said: "We expected her to win at Yarmouth last time but she has stepped forward for that. She has grown up a lot as she was naughty in the paddock beforehand but that was a good performance under a 5lb penalty."

Miss Cartesian's rider Rossa Ryan doubled up aboard Cracking Gold for Clive Cox in the 7f handicap.

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