News from day two of the Dante Festival at York

Duke Of Firenze gained his first win of the campaign when claiming back-to-back triumphs in the Betfred "Supports Jack Berry House" Handicap at York.

Despite being 13lb higher than when striding to victory in the five-furlong dash 12 months ago, the evergreen eight-year-old showed a touch of class to give weight away all round.

With the field separated by only a few lengths entering the final furlong and a half, it was only approaching the closing stages the David Griffiths-trained son of Pivotal burst clear.

Although Rasheeq cut down his advantage close to the post, he could not quite get on terms with the 13/2 chance and a neck split the pair at the line.

Winning rider David Allan said: "He travelled well and quickened nicely. It feels a bit tacky out there but he's won on soft ground before so I thought he would handle it.

"David has got his horses in good form and everything he's running is running well.

"I asked David to enter him in the Nunthorpe last year. He ran a good race in the Abbaye and I think he would have a chance if everything fell right for him."

Griffiths might be tempted into a crack at that Grade One back on the Knavesmire in August.

He said: "I'm delighted with that. I think he could (run in the Nunthorpe). He ran well in the Abbaye last year at the end of a long, hard year.

"He will go the Dash at Epsom next and then he's entered in a Group Two in Ireland."

Griffiths added: "We have hit a patch of form in the last four to six weeks which I cant really explain. It's swings and roundabouts because we had a bad end to last year.

"This horse is a legend but I was concerned by all the rain yesterday. He loves it here, though, and at Chester last week he was very unlucky. I'm chuffed to bits we've won here again."

Here Comes When rolled back the years to take full advantage of his sliding mark with an authoritative success for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy in the Betfred TV Hambleton Stakes. 

Murphy said: "I've won on him before, but he's quite a tricky ride. I'm delighted he's won a big pot. He's a Group horse on his day when he gets cut in the ground and is relaxed.

Anna Lisa Balding said: "This horse so deserves to win and it's really nice to have a decent winner for Jim and Fitri (Hay) because they are such loyal owners.

"We knew the ground was right, but with him being an older horse you couldn't be sure if he would need the run. The plan now is the Royal Hunt Cup."

Fashion Queen and Kyllang Rock fought out an exciting finish to the British Stallion Studs EBF Westow Stakes with the first-named runner just shading the Listed prize on the line.

Trained by David O'Meara, Fashion Queen was sent straight to the front by Danny Tudhope and the 20/1 shot had favourite Brian The Snail in trouble from some way out, while other leading fancy Ardad also dropped away tamely.

Kyllang Rock looked the winner half a furlong out but Fashion Queen battled back to edge it by a neck.

Tudhope said: "She shows a lot of speed, she did in the Lowther last year. I think six furlongs would be too far, she's a very speedy filly.

"We got headed at one point but she came back and got back up."

O'Meara said: "She's always shown loads of speed, she's very fast so it was logical to go back to five. She's in the Commonwealth Cup, but we think she's all speed. The Sandy Lane could be a possibility, but we will have a good look.

"We were hoping for black type, but hopefully she can go on from here."

Trainer Richard Fahey was at a loss to explain Brian The Snail's performance.

He said: "I've no idea what happened. He was never, ever going. He seemed sound after the race and was hardly blowing. William (Buick) said he didn't like the ground, but I'm not blaming that."

Fahey soon had some compensation though as Zap (5/1) proved too sharp for his rivals in the Stratford Place Stud Breeds Group Winners ebfstallions.com Maiden Stakes.

Ridden by Paul Hanagan, Zap came with a powerful run inside the final furlong to collar Global Tango and Dontgiveuponbob who were battling it out up front.

Zap produced a nice change of gear to come home a length clear of Red Force One and Makanah, who both stayed on in eyecatching fashion.

The winner is a son of Mayson who was a Group One performer for Fahey and Hanagan.

Hanagan said: "He got a bit of a shock when I got on him, but he was fine once we were off. He was very green and had a good look around which is to be expected first time out.

"He reminds me a lot of his dad (Mayson). He's built like him and he has a good neck on him."

Fahey added: "It's nice to have Mayson winner, especially at York. With all the bonuses, its like winning a Group Three.

"He's bred by Cheveley Park from a lovely family and he did a lot wrong today but still won. We will possibly go to Ascot with him."

Injam outstayed all his rivals to land the closing Investec Wealth Handicap over two miles.

Jedd O'Keeffe's charge was sent off a 20-1 shot and he just had too many guns for Graceland in the final furlong as he triumphed by a length in the hands of Graham Lee.

O'Keeffe was not present as he was attending his father-in-law's wedding, but assistant Tim Hogg said: "We were a bit worried when the ground started drying out.

"He's honest and he stays all day. He beat Project Bluebook last year and he's one that will keep on improving with age."