He also enjoyed further good fortune as Unnefer took the Dubai Duty Free Golf World Cup Conditions Stakes, a race won by 12 months ago by Cecil's subsequent Oaks heroine Light Shift in the same Niarchos family colours.

Having travelled strongly up the straight, Ted Durcan had to galvanise the 9-2 chance but he did not need to get overly-serious in holding off Bouguereau by a neck, with the first two pulling 10 lengths clear.

Cecil, who stated plans remain fluid for Twice Over with regard to the 2000 Guineas, said: "He was in a handicap at Newmarket but I decided to come here without a penalty. He loves it and is a game little horse.

"He is not bred to stay but he did stay very well and might get a mile and a half, despite his breeding."

Cecil completed his brace as Burn The Breeze (3-1) made all and pulled away in taking fashion during the closing stages to land division two of the Robert Sangster Memorial Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

Cecil added: "There was no pace and she wants further so we decided to make the running. We'll have to think about where to send her now."

Henry Candy plundered his fair share of top-class sprints with Kyllachy and some of the better races of that ilk could be on the agenda for Oldjoesaid after his victory in the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Handicap.

The four-year-old was a consistent sort last term and the 2-1 favourite earned a jump in grade as he found plenty to hold off the The Trader by a neck.

Candy said: "He is a nice sprinter and is stronger this year.

"He travelled much better today and really picked up in the final 50 yards when he saw The Trader come to him.

"I would say handicaps will be out for him now and we'll have to look for Listed and conditions races. Five furlongs suits him best."

Roger Charlton saddled his first winner of the season as Clowance (9-2) swept through the pack under Steve Drowne to claim division one of the maiden fillies' stakes, earning a 50-1 quote (from 66s) with Stan James for the Juddmonte Oaks.

Charlton said: "I think we'll come back here for the Oaks trial as she stays well, and a mile and a half will be no problem in due course."

Barry Hills and his jockey son Michael teamed up to take the seven-furlong Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Handicap with 14-1 chance Huzzah.

Hills senior said: "The ground was tacky but he got through it well and he does like cut.

"He might get further and there is a seven-and-a-half-furlong handicap at Chester that may suit him."

The Hills team returned to the winners' enclosure as newcomer Musical Bar, a half-sister to dual Classic winner Finsceal Beo, put in a classy performance to take the Bridget Maiden Fillies' Stakes.

Hills added of the 5-1 winner: "She had so many problems last year which is why she didn't run, and even this year she has been backward and growing.

"I don't know where she'll go, but she will get better as the season goes on and she could win a nice race later in the year."

Hills junior completed a three-timer in the closing Peter Smith Memorial Stakes when booting Tighnabruaich home at odds of 4-1.

Baycat - the complete outsider of six at 33-1 - sprung a huge surprise in the EBF Maiden Stakes when seeing off the 10-11 favourite Skid Solo by three-quarters of a length.