John Gosden looks to have unearthed another smart prospect in the shape of Calyx, who gave Kingman his first winner as a sire when landing the AFT Fluorotec EBF Novice Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, writes Graham Clark.

Settled just off the early pace in the six-furlong event, the 5-2 favourite picked up well when sent on by Robert Havlin to quickly open up a healthy advantage, crossing the line five lengths clear of previous winner Octave.

The winner was introduced at 10-1 for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot by Paddy Power.

Gosden said: “He is Kingman’s first winner. His father broke his maiden here, although it was not in this race, it was in July. Ryan Moore rode him over seven and he won by five or six lengths.”

He added of Calyx: “He has always shown up well at home and he will have no trouble with seven furlongs when the time comes.

“He showed good speed and travelled well. He was a bit green, but he picked up well and Rab Havlin got a good feel from him.

“He has shown some character at home, mostly the round the gates. We will see how the horse is over the next few days before thinking about those things (Royal Ascot).”

Gunmetal continued his revival to set up a possible tilt at the Wokingham at Royal Ascot when digging deep to land the Margaret Giffen Memorial Handicap.

The gelding built on his victory at Thirsk to make it two from two since joining David Barron, rallying well under Ben Curtis to deny favourite Eastern Impact by half a length.

Curtis said of the 9-2 winner: “He is very straightforward to ride and has improved from his last run to this run. The quicker the ground, the better for him.

“He will pick up a penalty for that and if he gets in the Wokingham I am sure the owners will have a look.”

Maksab (10-1) ended a recent spell in the doldrums when surviving a stewards’ inquiry to run out the winner of the Animal Health Trust Handicap.

Having been comfortably held in his previous two starts, the Mick Channon-trained three-year-old pulled out just enough to get the better of Yafta by a head, scoring for the first time since landing a course and distance handicap last August.