Zaham shows guts in Epsom opener

Richard Hills stayed hot on the heels of Duke Of Tuscany before striking for home with two furlongs to run.

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Fever quickly appeared on the scene and hit the front himself.

But in the closing stages, he drifted towards 7-2 shot Zaham, who needed no second invitation to reassert and pulled ahead by a neck at the line.

"I thought he was going to be second and I thought he won on merit last time at Newbury," said Johnston.

"He has incredible speed for a Silver Hawk and has the speed to allow you to put him where you want and for him to take the opportunities when they arrive.

"Royal Ascot was always the plan but we had a trip dilemma and I now think he could be a Hampton Court candidate if he is rated high enough."

Declaration Of War (9-2) came with a supersonic late drive to deprive Bespoke Boy by a length in the Vodafone Woodcote Stakes.

Bespoke Boy had taken charge after Baytown Blaze veered wide turning Tattenham Corner, while Robert Havlin kept behind the leaders on the unbeaten Declaration Of War.

As Havlin galvanised his mount, he picked up sharply and took control in the final half-furlong, earning a 33-1 quote from Stan James for next year's 2000 Guineas.

Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam said: "It all went wrong and he got pushed out wide at the bend but Robert got him balanced and gave him a good ride.

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"He'll improve again and will be better over seven furlongs. We'll see what the boys want to do but I guess he'll go to the Coventry Stakes and he won't be without a serious chance."

Blythe Knight served further notice of his versatility when winning the Group Three Vodafone Diomed Stakes.

Trained by John Quinn, the seven-year-old chestnut is equally adept over obstacles and also landed a big pot at Aintree in April.

Given a good ride by Graham Gibbons, the 4-1 shot was always going well and found a nice split between Ordnance Row and Welsh Emperor inside the final furlong.

Blue Ksar, Godolphin's 4-5 favourite, came with a late challenge on the outside of the field under Frankie Dettori but was a length in arrears of Blythe Knight at the line.

Gibbons said: "He travelled very well and a gap opened just in time. He stuck his neck out today and it was a great training performance.

"Jumping has made a man of him - he's a really good horse.

"Once he got his head in front he was never going to be passed."

Hogmaneigh showed really good pace inside the distance to win the Vodafone "Dash" Stakes.

The traditional Epsom cavalry charge was typically unrelenting as Merlin's Dancer took them along at a frenetic pace.

But Saleem Golam's mount, trained by Stuart Williams and sent off at 7-1, was tanking along in behind and came from the rear to defeat the front-running Moorhouse Lad by a neck.

Caribbean Coral flew on the rail but went down by a further short head, while Holbeck Ghyll, Andrew Balding's bottom weight, was fourth.

"He hasn't got that early speed but he finished well," reflected Golam.

"They were going a bit quick halfway but I switched out wide.

"Once he gets into that top gear at the end he's obviously a good horse.

"He's an improving sprinter and he's hopefully going places."

Amanda Perrett's Nosferatu (9-2) is becoming a most progressive stayer and collected the third victory of his five-race career in the Vodafone Live! Music Stakes.

Jim Crowley was always prominent and pressed his mount home by a length and a quarter from Misty Dancer.

"That was a good performance as the ground had dried up plenty enough for him," said Perrett.

"I wanted to go for the Northumberland Plate next but whether we do that I don't know. I don't think he will go to Royal Ascot."

Richard Hughes was at his bullish best in the closing Vodafone Sprint Stakes, setting for sail at the two furlong pole to steer Song Of Passion (10-1) to the line by two lengths for Richard Hannon.