Izzi Top claims Dahlia

Izzi Top made a winning return to action in the Qatar Bloodstock Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket.

John Gosden's filly had to give 3lbs away to her six opponents having won a Group Three in France at the end of last season but came away under William Buick to score a shade cosily.

Settled just in behind the steady early pace that was set by Law Of The Range and Primevere, she raced a shade keenly as did Sos Brilliante but still stayed on strongly up the hill for a one and a quarter length success from Captivator.

Primevere made a bold bid to steal the race from the front when Hayley Turner quickened the pace with a quarter of a mile to run of the nine furlong Group Three but the winner was alongsides at the furlong pole.

Captivator emerged from the rear of the field to launch a strong challenge on the outside of that pair but her challenge faltered in the dip and she had to settle for second.

Gosden felt the conditions of the race were against Izzi Top, saying: "She wins a Group Three in November and gets a penalty but you can win a Group One in July and August and not have one. It's strange. She's done it well though and we're thrilled with her. We'll have a look at the Middleton at York next.

"There's a much better programme for these fillies now. We'd have been standing here 15 years ago and there was nowhere for these horses to go. They've made a big effort in putting this programme together and as result you get these better fillies staying in training which is great."

The winning jockey added: "It was a good start. She was a bit fresh, but they didn't go quick enough early on so we got no cover, which was not ideal.

"It's a great start to the season, especially with her being fresh as she still got home. There's lots of improvement to come."

The easy to back favourite Timepiece proved disappointing, failing to quicken when the pace increased and coming home over six lengths adrift in fourth.