Spencer guides 14-1 Dirar to Ebor victory

Gordon Elliott's five-year-old was sent off at 14-1 having finished third behind the reopposing Overturn in the Galway Hurdle but, while the latter faded badly from the turn for home, Dirar continued to travel strongly.

Kieren Fallon appeared to have produced Rosika with a race-winning move approaching the furlong marker, but Dirar was switched to the rail and saw out the one-mile-six-furlong trip best to score by a length and a quarter.

Rosika was second, with Bridge Of Gold and Salute Him filling the minor places.

"Jamie gave him a great ride," said Elliott. "We were just hoping to have a horse like him, who has been great all the way along, to win a race like that.

"It's great because we have good staff at home, some good lads around us and some good owners and that's what it's all about. He was third in the Galway Hurdle to Overturn and he ran a great race, so we said we will keep him in the Galway Hurdle next year."

Spencer added: "It was a smooth enough passage. I had to switch going down to the two (furlong marker], but Gordon Elliott - what a trainer."

Earlier, Opinion Poll put up a determined effort under Frankie Dettori to land the Weatherbys Insurance Lonsdale Cup.

The Michael Jarvis-trained four-year-old drifted out to 9-2 before the off with doubts about his ability to handle the quickening ground and he was settled towards the rear by Dettori. Samuel travelled well for much of the contest and King Of Wands was also produced to challenge inside the final furlong, but Opinion Poll found most down the outside to beat the former by half a length.

Dettori said: "You don't want too many of these in one day. He was quite lazy halfway through the race. We had to knuckle down deep in the last two, but I knew there was plenty in the locker. He showed great guts today."

Fallon and Sir Michael Stoute teamed up to good effect when The Fonze landed the spoils in the totesport.com Stakes. Replacing the injured Ryan Moore, Fallon has enjoyed plenty of previous success at York for Stoute and drove the 10-1 chance out with real strength up the standside rail.

Jim Goldie's mare Dazzling Light struggled for room close home and closed to within half a length at the line. The 5-1 favourite Life And Soul was third with top-weight Times Up fourth.