Black Bear Island capped off a fine performance in York

Trainer Aidan O'Brien secured a one-two finish as Black Bear Island clinched victory in the Dante Stakes at York.

Ridden by Colm O'Donoghue, Black Bear Island (12-1) produced a fine finish in the final straight to pip stablemate Freemantle (13-2) in the Derby trial.

Freemantle, ridden by Johnny Murtagh, made the break, with 2-1 favourite Crowded House struggling to keep up as Black Bear island made his move.

Sans Frontieres, trained by Jeremy Noseda, took third place.

O'Donoghue said: "There was plenty of pace on through the race and he travelled really well.

"He really started to get going when I asked him in the final two furlongs and he picked up really well to lead on the line.

"Aidan told me to get him to switch off and relax and to let him enjoy himself through the race.

"What happens next will be up to Aidan, Mr Tabor, Mr Smith and Mr Magnier but I am just happy to have been riding him on the day."

Murtagh, who rode Black Bear Island on his last start in France, said of Freemantle: "He's run a great race, he just got tired in the last 100 yards, the ground was perfect for him."

Trainer Brian Meehan said of Crowded House: "There was always a chance he might need the run, but possibly he needed it a little bit more than I thought. Jamie said he felt flat and didn't pick up how he can.

"As far as I'm concerned he's still going for the Derby, but we will have to take him back and see how he is."

O'Donoghue's victory was marred when he received a two-day ban (27 and 28 May) for using his whip with excessive frequency and not giving his mount time to respond.

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