The first victory is the wonderful Wood Ditton for Appleby and Buick

The maiden winner easily denied the promised Leading Artist in a thrilling renewal of the bet365 Wood Ditton Maiden Stakes at Newmarket.

The one-mile race for unraced three-year-olds has been won by a whole host of top-class performers over the years, including 12 months ago when third-placed Dante and Derby runner-up Passenger won on Sir Michael Stoute’s debut .

Representing the fearsome combination of Charlie Appleby and William Buick, First Conquest was unusually popular in this year’s re-market at 4-1 and after commanding things from the outside, many of his rivals had trouble getting out of the dip.

Leading Artist and Earl Of Rochester, two sons of Dubawi trained by John and Thady Gosden, came out of the chase and challenged with the former emerging as a serious threat in the Juddmonte silks, but First Victory dug in and won. nose

As this year’s winner of the Wood Ditton does not have the usual expectations, while Appleby is looking at a more low-key campaign.

He said: “He has been educated at home and comes from a family we know. He worked with a very good horse who ran well earlier in the week as well so we were confident, barring the green. He hit the covers and was very professional throughout.

“At the moment I’m hoping he’ll be a good handicapper, going and riding in time he can be a mile and a quarter type of horse.

“The thing about Wood Ditton is years ago when you were going to win you would have to throw them in at the deep end, but now with the change in the program we can give these horses a chance and let them develop themselves. That way.”