Pride of Arras stuns Dante rivals with 18-1 win

Pride Of Arras was a surprise winner of the Dante Stakes at York as odds-on favourite The Lion In Winter could only finish sixth.

The 18-1 victor, ridden by Rossa Ryan for trainer Ralph Beckett, won by a length and a quarter from Damysus, with Wimbledon Hawkeye third.

Pride Of Arras is now as low as 4-1 for the Derby at Epsom on 7 June.

"You'd be getting excited about him, that's for sure. He's got a great mentality and bright future," said Ryan of his mount.

O'Brien, trainer of 8-11 favourite The Lion In Winter, had been looking for another Classic trial victory after sweeping the board at Lingfield, Leopardstown, Chester and York.

But he had warned the Sea The Stars colt would "come on a ton" for the run and he is now out to 5-1 from 5-2 for the Derby after pulling hard in the early stages.

Stablemate Delacroix is about 11-4 favourite for the big race at Epsom, ahead of Godolphin's 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court

But O'Brien said jockey Ryan Moore was "still positive" about The Lion In Winter and he would "improve an awful lot" on his next outing.

Pride Of Arras, a son of 2015 winner New Bay, was racing for only the second time after victory at Sandown last summer.

It was a double on the day for owner Vimy Ackroyd after Old Cock won the Hambleton Handicap.