JIMMY Fortune, who will be looking for a new retainer when his current employer Lynda Ramsden, the Thirsk trainer, retires at the end of the season, advertised his skills to prospective bosses with a double at York yesterday.

Tough Leader defied top-weight in the WWAV North Rated Stakes, while Lucayan Indian justified 10-11 favouritism in the Gulp! Conditions Stakes.

The opening race, the Mr Kipling Exceedinly Good Stakes saw Blessingindisguise, owned by York chartered surveyor Alan Black and trained by Mick Easterby at Sheriff Hutton, squeezed home in a photo finish ahead of Polly Golightly.

Pat Eddery won round one of a battle of wills with Richard Hannon over Nanoushka's optimum trip - but who will come out on top in round two is still in the balance.

Although the daughter of Taufan ran a most disappointing last of nine in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, Hannon was convinced she would prove well suited by a mile.

But Eddery, on board at the Royal meeting, was convinced she should take a step back in distance, and his judgement was vindicated as he and Nanoushka made all the running for the Listed Stanley Racing Summer Stakes over six furlongs.

The combination of John Dunlop, Richard Hills and Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum did at least take the concluding ComPlete ProdSpec Maiden Stakes with Etizaaz, who made an impressive six-length debut. Etizaaz's win was Dunlop's 50th of the year and coincided with his 61st birthday.

Eddery also reached the half-century as Young Precedent made all for the Hearthstead Homes Handicap.

2.05: 1 Blessingindiguise 15-2, 2 Polly Golightly 3-1, 3 Monte Lemos 9-4 fav2.35: 1 Tough Leader 5-2 fav, 2 Blueprint 4-1, 3 Indian Missile 10-13.05: 1 Nanoushka 9-1, 2 Crazee Mental 7-1, 3 Qilin 7-13.35: 1 Young Precedent 5-1 fav, 2 High Spirits 8-1, 3 Night Chorus 16-14.10: 1 Lucayan India 10-11 fav, 2 Bold Words 11-4, 3 Weet-A-Minute 9-14.40: 1 Etizaaz 3-1, 2 Silver Apple 3-1, 3 Peace of Mind 11-10 fav.

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